After the Love Has Gone (Steps song)

For the Earth, Wind & Fire song, see After the Love Has Gone.

"After the Love Has Gone" is a song by Steps, released as their seventh single, and the third from their second album Steptacular. The track continues the group's pop sound but has clear Asian musical influences. Claire Richards provides lead vocals.

"After the Love Has Gone"
Single by Steps
from the album Steptacular
B-side	"My Best Friend's Girl"
Released	11 October 1999 (1999-10-11)[1]
Recorded	1999
Studio	PWL (London and Manchester, England)
Genre	Dance-pop
Length	4:35
Label	Jive Ebul
Songwriter(s)	Mark Topham Karl Twigg Lance Ellington
Producer(s)	Mark Topham Karl Twigg Pete Waterman
Steps singles chronology
"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (1999) "After the Love Has Gone" (1999) "Say You'll Be Mine" / "Better the Devil You Know" (1999)
Music video
"After the Love Has Gone" on YouTube

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Jon O'Brien described the song as "melancholic dance-pop".^[2] Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Evening Express stated that it "has all the trademark Steps piano bits", noting that it "does sound a bit too much" like "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart".^[3] Can't Stop the Pop said that the most distinctive element of the track is that it's "proudly dressed up as an oriental number." They also complimented its "beautiful melancholy" lyrics.^[4] Sunday Mirror commented, "Net more ABBA sound-aliking from the Steps crew. This dance routine's a bit tricky though."^[5]

Chart performance

The song spent 11 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number five. It fell out of the top 75 after nine weeks but rose back up to spend two more weeks inside the top 75.

Music video

The music video for the song was shot at Universal Studios Florida^[6] in Orlando and has Asian influences. It was directed by Cameron Casey and Simón Brand. The group wear jade-green outfits for the dance sequences, in a setting of Chinese lanterns and a lion dance.

Track listings

UK CD single[7] "After the Love Has Gone" – 4:35 "After the Love Has Gone" (W.I.P. Mix) – 5:37 "My Best Friend's Girl" – 3:40 European maxi-CD single[8] "After the Love Has Gone" (radio mix) – 4:35 "After the Love Has Gone" (video mix) – 4:35 "After the Love Has Gone" (W.I.P. Mix) – 5:37 "My Best Friend's Girl" – 3:40

UK cassette single and European CD single[9][10] "After the Love Has Gone" – 4:35 "My Best Friend's Girl" – 3:40 Australian CD single[11] "After the Love Has Gone" (radio mix) – 4:35 "After the Love Has Gone" (W.I.P. Mix) – 5:37 "My Best Friend's Girl" – 3:40 "One for Sorrow" (Tony Moran's 7-inch remix) – 3:30

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Steptacular.^[12]

A-side: "After the Love Has Gone" Recording Recorded at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England) Additionally recorded at The Workhouse Studios and Sarm East (London, England) Mixed at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England) Mastered at Transfermation (London, England) Personnel Songwriting – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Lance Ellington Production – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman Mixing – Tim "Spag" Speight Engineering – Chris McDonnell Drums – Chris McDonnell Keyboards – Karl Twigg Guitars – Mark Topham, Erwin Keiles Bass – Mark Topham Mandolin – Erwin Keiles

B-side: "My Best Friend's Girl" Recording Recorded at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England) Additionally recorded at The Workhouse Studios and Sarm East (London, England) Mixed at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England) Mastered at Transfermation (London, England) Personnel Songwriting – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Lance Ellington Production – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman Mixing – Chris McDonnell Engineering – Chris McDonnell, Tim "Spag" Speight Drums – Chris McDonnell Keyboards – Karl Twigg Guitar – Mark Topham Bass – Mark Topham

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1999) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[13] 47 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[14] 13 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[15] 23 Ireland (IRMA)[16] 18 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[17] 17 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 63 Scotland (OCC)[19] 4 UK Singles (OCC)[20] 5 UK Indie (OCC)[21] 2

Year-end charts Chart (1999) Position UK Singles (OCC)[22] 113