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{{short description|1990 single by Mariah Carey}}
{{for|the Orleans song|Love Takes Time (Orleans song)}}
{{about|the song by Mariah Carey|the song by Orleans|Love Takes Time (Orleans song)}}
{{Infobox single
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
| Name = Love Takes Time
{{Infobox song
| Cover = Mariah_carey-love_takes_time.jpg
| name = Love Takes Time
| Artist = [[Mariah Carey]]
| from Album = [[Mariah Carey (album)|Mariah Carey]]
| cover = Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time US cover.jpg
| border = yes
| B-side = "Sent From Up Above"<br>"Vanishing"<br>"You Need Me"
| alt =
| Released = {{Start date|1990|9|11}}
| caption = US cassette cover
| Format = [[CD single]], [[cassette single]], [[Gramophone record|7" single]]
| type = single
| Recorded = May 1990
| artist = [[Mariah Carey]]
| Genre = [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[Adult contemporary]]
| album = [[Mariah Carey (album)|Mariah Carey]]
| Length = 3:49
| B-side = {{ubl|"Sent from Up Above"|"Vanishing"|"You Need Me"|"[[Vision of Love]]"}}
| Label = [[Columbia Records|CBS]]
| released = {{Start date|1990|8|22}}
| Writer = Mariah Carey, [[Ben Margulies]]
| recorded = 1990
| Producer = [[Walter Afanasieff]]
| studio =
| Certification = Gold <small>(U.S.)</small>
| venue =
| Last single = "[[Vision of Love]]" <br />(1990)
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| This single = "'''Love Takes Time'''" <br />(1990)
| length = 3:49
| Next single = "[[Someday (Mariah Carey song)|Someday]]" <br />(1990)
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| Misc = {{Extra track listing
| Album = [[Mariah Carey (album)|Mariah Carey]]
| writer = {{hlist|Mariah Carey|[[Ben Margulies]]}}
| producer = [[Walter Afanasieff]]
| Type = single
| prev_title = [[Vision of Love]]
| prev_track = "Prisoner"
| prev_no = 10
| prev_year = 1990
| next_title = [[Someday (Mariah Carey song)|Someday]]
| this_track = "'''Love Takes Time'''"
| track_no = 11
| next_year = 1990
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|FkDpwF6-QiA|"Love Takes Time"}}}}
}}
{{Extra track listing
| Album = [[Greatest Hits (Mariah Carey album)|Greatest Hits]]
| Type = single
| prev_track = "[[Vision of Love]]"
| prev_no = 1
| this_track = "'''Love Takes Time'''"
| track_no = 2
| next_track = "[[Someday (Mariah Carey song)|Someday]]"
| next_no = 3
}}
{{Extra track listing
| Album = [[The Essential Mariah Carey]]
| Type = single
| prev_track = "[[Vision of Love]]"
| prev_no = 1
| this_track = "'''Love Takes Time'''"
| track_no = 2
| next_track = "[[Someday (Mariah Carey song)|Someday]]"
| next_no = 3
}}
{{Extra album cover
| Upper caption = Alternative cover
| Cover = Love Takes TimeEU.jpg
| Lower caption = European cover
| Type = single
}}
}}

"'''Love Takes Time'''" is a song recorded by American singer [[Mariah Carey]] for her [[Mariah Carey (album)|eponymous debut studio album]] (1990). Written by Carey and [[Ben Margulies]], while produced by [[Walter Afanasieff]], the song was released as the second single from the album on August 22, 1990, by [[Columbia Records]]. An [[Adult contemporary music|adult contemporary]]-influenced ballad, the song follows its protagonist lamenting the loss of a lover and confesses that "love takes time" to heal and that her feelings for her ex-lover remain.

Carey quickly recorded "Love Takes Time" at the last minute when the album was already considered complete and being processed for release. She played the song's demo to former Columbia CEO [[Don Ienner]] while on an airplane. Ienner and other officials wanted the song to be included on her upcoming album, even though the album was already going through final stages of completion and Carey wanted to save it for her sophomore effort. The song made it on to the album as the closing track, however, due to its late addition, it was not listed on the earliest pressings of the album, an issue that was corrected on subsequent pressings.

"Love Takes Time" was well received by music critics and went to become another success from the album in North America. It was Carey's second number-one single in the United States, attaining the position for three weeks. However, the song did not replicate the success of its predecessor, [[Vision of Love]], globally. A music video was provided for the song, filmed in black and white at a beach. "Love Takes Time" has been included on Carey's [[compilation album]] ''[[Greatest Hits (Mariah Carey album)|Greatest Hits]]'' (2001), as well as ''[[Number 1 to Infinity|#1 to Infinity]]'' (2015). "Love Takes Time" was performed live on shows such as ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'', ''[[Here Is Mariah Carey|Mariah's Thanksgiving NBC Special]]'' and ''[[The Des O'Connor Show]]''.{{fact|date=August 2024}} Since its release, the song has been included on set lists of Carey's concert tours and residencies.

==Writing and recording==
Carey's debut album was completed and being mastered when she wrote the song with [[Ben Margulies]]. Margulies said: "It was sort of a gospelish thing I was improvising, then we began working on it. It was on a work tape that we had...and we recorded a very quick demo. It was just a piano vocal demo - I played live piano, and she sang it."
Carey was on a mini-tour of ten states, playing acoustically with a piano player and three back-up singers. While on a company plane, she played the demo of "Love Takes Time" for [[Columbia Records]] president [[Don Ienner]]. "All the important guys were on the plane," Margulies said. "[[Tommy Mottola]], Ienner, and [[Bobby Colomby]]." Carey was told the song was a "career-maker" and that it had to go on the first album. She protested, as her album was already being mastered and she intended the ballad for her next release.

The demo was sent to producer [[Walter Afanasieff]]. When Carey flew west to work with [[Narada Michael Walden]] on some tracks for her first album, Tommy Mottola and Don Ienner were impressed with Afanasieff's work and gave him an executive staff producer job with the label. Afanasieff recalled: "I guess to see if he made the right choice, [Mottola] called me up one day. He said, 'We've got this Mariah Carey album done, but there's a song that she and Ben Margulies wrote that is phenomenal, and I want to try everything we can to put it on the album.' I said, 'What do you want me to do?' and he said, 'You only have a couple of days, but are you ready to cut it?' I couldn't believe the opportunity that it was. I'd never produced anything by myself up until that time."

The demo was very close to what Mottola wanted the finished product to be, according to Afanasieff: "We cut the song and the music and the basics in about a day - and the only reason is this deadline. It was do it or we were gonna miss out on the whole thing. We got the tape and recorded everything and we got on the plane and went to New York [and] did her vocals. She did all the backgrounds, practically sang all night...We came back to the studio that afternoon, and we had to fix one line very quickly, and then [engineer] Dana Jon Chappelle and I got back on the plane with the tape, went back to the studio in Sausalito, and mixed it. So it was a three-day process: a day and a half for music, kind of like a day for vocals, and a day for mixing."

Afanasieff heard from Columbia executives as soon as they received the mix. They wanted Carey's vocal a little louder, so a remix was quickly completed. The producer asked if the song would still make the debut album, and was told: "We're going to do our best."
When the album was released, "Love Takes Time" was not listed on neither cassette nor CD pressings. Margulies said: "And so the song's on there, but it doesn't say that it's on there. It was a song that actually was strong enough to stop the pressing...I don't know if they had to throw away a few hundred copies."<ref>[http://www.mariahdaily.com/infozone/storybehindno1s.shtml#ltt "Hero" inside story<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622140004/http://www.mariahdaily.com/infozone/storybehindno1s.shtml |date=June 22, 2008 }}</ref>

==Composition==
"Love Takes Time" is performed in the key of [[B major|B Major]]<ref name=sheet>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0055089|title=Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time – Digital Sheet Music|work=Musicnotes.com|date=November 17, 2006|publisher=[[Universal Music Publishing|Universal Publishing]]|access-date=May 5, 2009}}</ref> in [[Time signature|common time]] with a slow [[tempo]] of 63 beats per minute. Carey's vocals span three [[octave]]s and five [[semitone]]s from D{{sharp}}<sub>3</sub> to G{{sharp}}<sub>6</sub> in the song.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Mariah Carey: Original Keys for Singers|year=2007|author=[[Hal Leonard]]|pages=101–108|publisher=Hal Leonard |isbn=978-1-4234-1996-9}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
{{Music ratings
| title = Professional ratings
| subtitle =
| rev1 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' (2006)
| rev1score = A<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pastorek|first=Whitney|title=This Week in 1990: Rating the Top Ten Hits|date=October 31, 2006|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://ew.com/article/2006/10/31/this-week-1990-rating-top-10-singles/|access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' (2012)
| rev2score = B<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Greenblatt|first=Leah|title=Chart Flashback: 1990|date=November 2, 2012|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/11/02/chart-flashback-1990/|access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Stereogum]]''
| rev3score = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Breihan|first=Tom|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2164803/the-number-ones-mariah-careys-love-takes-time/columns/the-number-ones/|title=The Number Ones: Mariah Carey's "Love Takes Time"|date=October 22, 2021|magazine=[[Stereogum]]|access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref>
}}
}}
Upon its release, "Love Takes Time" received critical acclaim. [[Larry Flick]] from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' described it as a "stunning [[power ballad]]" and noted further that the song is "everything you would expect from the singer-and more."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1990/BB-1990-09-08.pdf|title=Single Reviews|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=September 8, 1990|access-date=February 15, 2020|page=73|author-link=Larry Flick}}</ref> A reviewer from ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' commented, "Mariah Carey floored everyone with her smash debut single, "[[Vision of Love]]", winning critical accolades and fans in the process. "Love Takes Time" should convert the last few holdouts while proving to instant fans that their adulation was not misplaced or misdirected. Carey keeps things simmering at a low heat, slowly unveiling the power and beauty of her voice. Should be firmly lodged in the #1 slot very soon."<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Pop Reviews: Singles |magazine= [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]] |date= September 15, 1990 |page= 15 |access-date= October 27, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1990/CB-1990-09-15.pdf}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote, "With just the softest synthesizer tinkle, a touch of percussion, and what may well have been a borrowed pair of back-porch wind chimes, she made every last listener feel the utter despair of a breakup: "Losing my mind/From this hollow in my heart/Suddenly I’m so incomplete.""<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/2018/03/27/ranking-mariah-carey-no-1-hits/|title=Celebrate Mariah Carey's birthday with the ultimate ranking of her No. 1 hits|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 27, 2018|page=94|access-date=April 8, 2020}}</ref> In 2015, Est 1997 writer Mario stated that it was an ″[[Adult Contemporary]] ballad″ and that it was "arguably some of the strongest melodies and bridge in Mariah’s catalog." He continued by saying that ″Her vocals are so pure and passionate that every emotion filters through the music and just reaches and warms the heart. It’s the realisation of a universal truth by a young woman who’s still learning to deal with feelings. There’s almost a sense of naivety in the lyrics but, at the same time, the song sounds mature and it’s relatable. That’s a constant in Mariah’s catalog, something that has marked her strength and endurance as a writer."<ref name="Est 1997">{{cite news|title="Love Takes Time," but for Mariah Carey, a second #1 hit doesn't!|url=http://www.est1997.com/music/love-takes-time-but-for-mariah-carey-a-second-1-hit-doesnt/|access-date=June 28, 2016|agency=Est 1997|date=July 17, 2015|ref=627842}}</ref>


During a review of her 2001 ''[[Greatest Hits (Mariah Carey album)|Greatest Hits]]'' album in May 2002, Devon Powers of [[PopMatters]] praised the song along with "[[I Don't Wanna Cry]]", calling it "stupendous" and said that ″Her lyrics were exactly what you wanted them to be: simple, memorable, and absolutely true." Stephen Filippelli from Review Stream called the song decent, but mainly criticized the music video for the song.<ref name="Review Stream">{{cite web|last1=Filippelli|first1=Filippelli|title=Love Takes Time (1990): Mariah Carey|url=http://www.reviewstream.com/reviews/?p=91422#thoughts-box|website=Review Stream|access-date=June 28, 2016|ref=642844}}</ref> Amanda Dobbins and Lindsay Weber of [[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] listed "Love Takes Time" at number-nineteen on their list of "Mariah Carey’s 25 Best Singles".<ref name="Vulture">{{cite news|last1=Weber|first1=Lindsay|last2=Dobbins|first2=Amanda|title=VULTURE LISTS May 28, 2014 1:20 p.m. These Are Mariah Carey's 25 Best Singles|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/05/these-are-mariah-careys-25-best-singles.html|access-date=June 28, 2016|work=Vulture|agency=Vulture|issue=May 2014|date=May 28, 2014|ref=642845}}</ref> OO Cities called the song a "beautiful ballad".<ref name="OO Cities">{{cite web|title=Love Takes Time was the second single from Mariah Carey album.|url=http://www.oocities.org/gregorijk/lovetakes.htm|website=OO Cities|access-date=June 28, 2016|ref=642846}}</ref>
"'''Love Takes Time'''" is a song written by [[Mariah Carey]] and [[Ben Margulies]], and produced by [[Walter Afanasieff]] for Carey's debut album, ''[[Mariah Carey (album)|Mariah Carey]]'' (1990). It was released as the album's second single in the third quarter of 1990. It was the first of several [[Adult contemporary music|adult contemporary]]-influenced Carey ballads to be released as a single, and its protagonist laments the loss of a lover and confesses that "love takes time" to heal and that her feelings for her ex-lover remain. It became Carey's second number 1 single in the United States and Canada.


==Recording==
==Accolades==
"Love Takes Time" won a [[Broadcast Music Incorporated|BMI]] R&B Award for Song of the Year and Songwriter Award. The song also won Carey the 1991 [[Soul Train Music Awards|Soul Train Music Award]] for [[Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist|Best R&B/Urban Contemporary New Artist]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soultrain.com/stma/mwin5.html |title=1991 Winners: Soul Train Music Awards|date=February 8, 2005 |access-date=November 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208205258/http://www.soultrain.com/stma/mwin5.html |archive-date=February 8, 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=TV.com |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/soul-train/the-5th-annual-soul-train-music-awards-383474/ |title=Soul Train - Season 20, Episode 22: The 5th Annual Soul Train Music Awards |publisher=TV.com |date=March 12, 1991 |access-date=November 20, 2012 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105210209/http://www.tv.com/shows/soul-train/the-5th-annual-soul-train-music-awards-383474/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Mariah Carey's debut album for the label was completed and being mastered when she wrote the song with [[Ben Marguiles]]. "It was sort of a gospelish thing I was improvising, then we began working on it," Marguiles relates. "It was on a work tape that we had...and we recorded a very quick demo. It was just a piano vocal demo - I played live piano, and she sang it."


==Commercial performance==
Carey was on a mini-tour of ten states, playing acoustically with a piano player and three back-up singers. While on a company plane, she played the demo of "Love Takes Time" for [[Columbia Records]] president [[Don Ienner]]. "All the important guys were on the plane," Marguiles recalls. "[[Tommy Mottola]], Ienner, and [[Bobby Colomby]]." Carey was told the song was a "career-maker," and that it had to go on the first album. She protested - her album was already being mastered, and she intended this ballad for her next release.
"Love Takes Time" debuted at number 73 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] on September 15, 1990. In its ninth week, it reached the summit of the chart, where it spent three weeks. It spent seven weeks within the top ten and 17 weeks within the top 40, as well as being certified [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). It topped every other ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' chart for which it was eligible, including the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] and [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks]]. Because its success was divided over two calendar years, it did not rank high on ''Billboard'''s year-end charts, being ranked at number 76 in 1990 and number 69 in 1991.


Internationally, "Love Takes Time" failed to emulate its US success in any other market except Canada, where it reached number two on the Canadian ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' Top Singles chart. It did reach the top ten in Iceland and New Zealand, but did not make much of an impact elsewhere, becoming a moderate top-20 hit in Australia, and a top-40 hit in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. It failed to reach the top 40 in Germany, peaking at number 57.
The demo was sent to producer [[Walter Afanasieff]]. When Carey flew west to work with [[Narada Michael Walden]] on some tracks for her first album, Tommy Mottola and Don Ienner were impressed with Afanasieff's work and gave him an executive staff producer job with the label.


==Music video==
"I guess to see if he made the right choice, (Tommy) called me up one day," remembers Afanasieff. "He said, 'We've got this Mariah Carey album done, but there's a song that she and Ben Marguiles wrote that is phenomenal, and I want to try everything we can to put it on the album.' I said, 'What do you want me to do?' and he said, 'You only have a couple of days, but are you ready to cut it?' I couldn't believe the opportunity that it was. I'd never produced anything by myself up until that time."
The single's video, directed by Jeb Brien and Walter Maser, features Carey walking around a beach after a man walks away with luggage in [[Venice, Los Angeles]]. The video was not included on Carey's video compilation ''#1's'' (1999) and was replaced with a live performance of the song, filmed at [[Proctor's Theatre (Schenectady, New York)|Proctor's Theatre]] in [[Schenectady, New York]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite AV media|last=Carey|first=Mariah|author-link=Mariah Carey|year=1999|title=#1's|location=United States|publisher=[[Columbia Records|Columbia Home Video]]|id=CVD 50195}}</ref>{{efn|The performance video for "Love Takes Time" was originally released as part of Carey's third video album ''[[Here Is Mariah Carey]]'' (1993).}}


==Live performances==
The demo was very close to what Mottola wanted the finished product to be, according to Afanasieff. "We cut the song and the music and the basics in about a day - and the only reason is this deadline. It was do it or we were gonna miss out on the whole thing. We got the tape and recorded everything and we got on the plane and went to New York (and) did her vocals. She did all the backgrounds, practically sang all night...We came back to the studio that afternoon, and we had to fix one line very quickly, and then (engineer) Dana (Jon Chapelle) and I got back on the plane with the tape, went back to the studio in Sausalito, and mixed it. So it was a three-day process: a day and a half for music, kind of like a day for vocals, and a day for mixing."
Carey performed the song at [[The Arsenio Hall Show]], later she performed the song at shows like [[Des O'Connor Tonight]], [[It's Showtime At The Apollo]] and [[The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson]].{{fact|date=August 2024}} Three years later, in 1993, she performed the song in the special [[Here Is Mariah Carey]], filmed at [[Proctor's Theatre (Schenectady, New York)|Proctor's Theatre]].{{fact|date=August 2024}} Later, that year, she performed again during her first stateside tour, the [[Music Box Tour]] (1993). After this, she didn't perform the song until 2013, when she sang a snippet of the song during the Australian tour.{{fact|date=August 2024}} After this, Carey included the song in her 2015 Las Vegas residency [[Number 1 to Infinity|#1 to Infinity]] serving as the second song.{{fact|date=August 2024}} It was also included during selected dates of her 2018-2019 Las Vegas residency [[The Butterfly Returns]]. It was performed in select dates of [[Caution World Tour]] (2019).{{fact|date=August 2024}}


==Track listing and formats==
Afanasieff heard from Columbia executives as soon as they received the mix. They wanted Carey's vocal a little louder, so a remix was quickly completed. The producer asked if the song would still make the debut album, and was told, "We're going to do our best."


* '''European 12-inch vinyl and maxi-CD singles'''<ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |date=1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2399392-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |date=1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8899626-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>
When the album was released, "Love Takes Time" was not listed on the cassette or compact disc. "(On) some of the original first copies of the record, they didn't have time to print the name of the song," Marguiles laughs. "And so the song's on there, but it doesn't say that it's on there. It was a song that actually was strong enough to stop the pressing...I don't know if they had to throw away a few hundred copies."<ref>[http://www.mariahdaily.com/infozone/storybehindno1s.shtml#ltt "Hero" inside story<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


# "Love Takes Time"
For the release to radio, a second mix was created that muffled Carey's [[whistle register|whistle note]] in the background of the song, during the song's bridge. This version of the song appeared in all of the official single releases of "Love Takes Time" in the US and abroad.
# "Sent from Up Above"
# "Vanishing"


* '''UK 12-inch vinyl'''<ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |date=October 1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3095071-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>
==Reception==
"Love Takes Time" was another success like Carey's debut single "[[Vision of Love]]" in the United States: it reached number 1 in its ninth week on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] and spent three weeks at the top of the chart, from November 10 to 24, 1990. It spent 17 weeks in the top 40 and the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] certified it gold. It topped every other ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' chart for which it was eligible (including the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] and [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks]]). Because its success was divided over two calendar years it did not rank high on ''Billboard'''s year-end charts, making 76 on the 1990 chart and 69 on the 1991 chart.


# "Love Takes Time"
However, "Love Takes Time" failed to emulate its U.S. success in any other market except Canada, where it topped the [[Canadian Singles Chart]] for one week. "Love Takes Time" reached the top ten in New Zealand. It did not make much of an impact elsewhere, becoming a moderate top 20 hit in Australia, and top 40 hit in the UK and the Netherlands, but failed to reach the top 40 in Germany.
# "You Need Me"
# "Vanishing"


* '''Worldwide 7-inch vinyl, CD and Japanese CD3 singles'''<ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |date=1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/15539503-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |year=1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/6440664-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |date=October 21, 1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1778993-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>
The song did not receive as many awards as "Vision of Love", but still managed to win a [[Broadcast Music Incorporated|BMI]] R&B Award for Song of the Year and Songwriter Award. The song also won Carey the 1991 [[Soul Train Music Awards|Soul Train Music Award]] for [[Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist|Best R&B/Urban Contemporary New Artist]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050208205258/http://www.soultrain.com/stma/mwin5.html |title=1991 Winners: Soul Train Music Awards - Internet Archive Wayback Machine |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=February 8, 2005 |accessdate=November 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=TV.com |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/soul-train/the-5th-annual-soul-train-music-awards-383474/ |title=Soul Train - Season 20, Episode 22: The 5th Annual Soul Train Music Awards |publisher=TV.com |date=March 12, 1991 |accessdate=November 20, 2012}}</ref>


# "Love Takes Time"
==Music video and other versions==
# "Sent from Up Above"
The single's video, directed by [[Jeb Brien]] and Walter Maser, features Carey walking around a beach after a man walks away with luggage in [[Venice, Los Angeles, California]]. The video is not included on the DVD/home video ''[[Number 1's (video)|#1's]]'' (1999) because Carey has admitted{{when|date=February 2012}} she is ashamed of it. A live performance of the song filmed at Proctor's Theatre in New York in 1993 was included instead.


* '''UK 7-inch vinyl and cassette singles'''<ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |date=October 1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2142936-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |date=October 1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9164712-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>
==Track listings==
'''Worldwide CD single'''
#"Love Takes Time"
#"Sent from Up Above"


# "Love Takes Time"
'''UK CD single'''
# "Vanishing"
#"Love Takes Time"
#"Vanishing"
#"You Need Me"


* '''UK CD single'''<ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |date=October 1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3747053-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>
'''European CD maxi-single'''
#"Love Takes Time"
#"Sent from Up Above"
#"Vanishing"


# "Love Takes Time"
'''UK limited edition picture disc'''
# "Vanishing"
#"Love Takes Time"
# "You Need Me"
#"Vanishing"
#"You Need Me"
#"Vision of Love"


* '''UK limited edition picture disc CD single'''<ref>{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time |year=1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2597555-Mariah-Carey-Love-Takes-Time |language=en |access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref>
==Cover versions==
* Philippine idol winner [[Mau Marcelo]] covered the song on her album "I Shine For You" in 2007.
* [[Kelly Clarkson]] did a cover of this song while performing at a mini tour in 2003.


# "Love Takes Time"
==Charts==
# "Vanishing"
{{s-start}}
# "You Need Me"
{{succession box
# "[[Vision of Love]]"
| before = "[[Ice Ice Baby]]" by [[Vanilla Ice]]
| title = [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] [[Hot 100 number-one hits of 1990 (United States)|number-one single]]
| years = November 10, 1990 - November 24, 1990 (3 weeks)
| after = "[[I'm Your Baby Tonight (song)|I'm Your Baby Tonight]]" by [[Whitney Houston]]
}}
{{s-end}}


==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
===Peak positions===
|+Weekly chart performance for "Love Takes Time"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1990–1991)
!Peak<br>position
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Australia|14|artist=Mariah Carey|song=Love Takes Time|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
!align="left"|Chart (1990)
!align="left"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|38|artist=Mariah Carey|song=Love Takes Time|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|Australian Singles Chart<ref>[http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=20294&cat=s Australian Singles Chart]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|2|chartid=9171|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|Canadian Singles Chart<ref>[http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/SINGLES.html Canadian Singles Chart]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Canadaadultcontemporary|1|chartid=9165|access-date=May 31, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|Dutch Singles Chart<ref>[http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Mariah+Carey&titel=Love+Takes+Time&cat=s Dutch Singles Chart]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|24
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada [[Retail Singles]] (''[[The Record (magazine)|The Record]]'')<ref name="Lwin">{{harvnb|Lwin|2000|p=59}}</ref>
|align="left"|German Singles Chart<ref>[http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/world%20charts/germany.htm German Singles Chart]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|57
|align="center"|1
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (''[[The Record (magazine)|The Record]]'')<ref name="Lwin"/>
|align="left"|New Zealand Singles Chart<ref>[http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp New Zealand Singles Chart]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|align="center"|2
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1990/BB-1990-12-15.pdf|title=Hits of the World|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 31, 2015}}</ref>
|align="left"|UK Singles Chart<ref>[http://www.everyhit.co.uk/ UK Singles Chart]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|37
|align="center"|75
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|57|artist=Mariah Carey|song=Love Takes Time|songid=20294|access-date=April 11, 2019|rowheader=true}}
|align="left"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="Billboard">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=mariah carey|chart=all}} Artist Chart History - Mariah Carey]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Iceland ([[Íslenski listinn|Íslenski Listinn Topp 10]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timarit.is/page/2578422#page/n23/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 10|publisher=Dagblaðið Vísir|date=November 30, 1990|access-date=August 19, 2021}}</ref>
|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]]<ref name="Billboard"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|align="center"|9
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Italy Airplay (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-12-01.pdf|date=December 1, 1990|title=National Airplay|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|page=12}}</ref>
|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref name="Billboard"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|align="center"|13
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|24|year=1990|week=46|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|24|artist=Mariah Carey|song=Love Takes Time|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|9|artist=Mariah Carey|song=Love Takes Time|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
! scope="row"| Poland ([[Lista Przebojów Programu Trzeciego|LP3]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lp3.pl/wykonawca/711|title=Mariah Carey – dorobek wykonawcy na LP3|publisher=[[Lista Przebojów Programu Trzeciego|LP3]]|access-date=August 8, 2024|language=pl}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
!scope="row"|Switzerland Airplay ([[Schweizer Hitparade]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-12-08.pdf|date=December 8, 1990|title=National Airplay|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|page=11}}</ref>
|align="center"|15
|-
{{singlechart|UK|37|date=19901201|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles ([[MRIB]])<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 15, 1990|title=Top 50 Network Singles|magazine=[[Melody Maker]]|page=2}}</ref>
| 42
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Mariah Carey|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardadultcontemporary|1|artist=Mariah Carey|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardrandbhiphop|1|artist=Mariah Carey|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Top 40/Dance]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 1, 1990|title=Crossover Radio Airplay|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|page=75|id={{ProQuest|1505952765}}}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Top 40 Radio Monitor]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 8, 1990|title=Top 40 Radio Monitor|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|page=84|id={{ProQuest|1505935994}}}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
!scope="row"|US Top 100 Singles (''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'')<ref>{{harvnb|Downey|Albert|Hoffman|1994|p=50}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
!scope="row"|US Top R&B Singles (''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 3, 1990|title=Top R&B Singles|magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]|page=13}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
!scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary (''[[Gavin Report]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 16, 1990|title=Adult Contemporary|magazine=[[Gavin Report]]|page=26}}</ref>
|align="center"|2
|-
!scope="row"|US Top 40 (''[[Gavin Report]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 16, 1990|title=Top 40|magazine=[[Gavin Report]]|page=8}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
!scope="row"|US Urban Contemporary (''[[Gavin Report]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 16, 1990|title=Urban Contemporary|magazine=[[Gavin Report]]|page=23}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
!scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary (''[[Radio & Records]]'')<ref name="R&R">{{cite magazine|date=November 9, 1990|title=National Airplay Overview|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|page=96|id={{ProQuest|1017232974}}}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
!scope="row"|US Contemporary Hit Radio (''[[Radio & Records]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=November 16, 1990|title=National Airplay Overview|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|page=96|id={{ProQuest|1017247212}}}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
!scope="row"|US Urban Contemporary (''[[Radio & Records]]'')<ref name="R&R"/>
|align="center"|1
|}
|}

{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+Year-end chart performance for "Love Takes Time"
!scope="col"|Chart (1990)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9139&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9139.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9139|title=Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|date=December 22, 1990|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
!Chart (1990)
|24
!Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Adult Contemporary (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9175&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9175.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9175|title=Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|date=December 22, 1990|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1990|title=Billboard Top 100 - 1990|accessdate=September 15, 2009}}</ref>
|19
| style="text-align:center;"|76
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="usyearend90">{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1990|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|pages=YE{{hyphen}}14, YE{{hyphen}}22|date=December 22, 1990|id={{ProQuest|1505935090}}}}</ref>
!Chart (1991)
|76
|-
!scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (''Billboard'')<ref name="usyearend90"/>
|75
|-
!scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary (''Radio & Records'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 14, 1990|title=Top 90 of '90|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|page=72|id={{ProQuest|1017240496}}}}</ref>
|24
|-
!scope="row"|US Contemporary Hit Radio (''Radio & Records'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 14, 1990|title=Top 90 of '90|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|page=56|id={{ProQuest|1017245278}}}}</ref>
|20
|-
!scope="row"|US Urban (''Radio & Records'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 14, 1990|title=Top 90 of '90|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|page=60|id={{ProQuest|1017250211}}}}</ref>
|20
|}

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+Year-end chart performance for "Love Takes Time"
!scope="col"|Chart (1991)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{harvnb|Ryan|2011}}</ref>
|83
|-
!scope="row"|Canada [[Retail Singles]] (''[[The Record (magazine)|The Record]]'')<ref>{{cite book|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|author-link=Nanda Lwin|date=1997|title=Canada's Top Hits of the Year 1975–1996|publisher=Music Data Canada|page=106|isbn=1-896594-10-7}}</ref>
|3
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1991|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|pages=YE{{hyphen}}14|date=December 21, 1991|id={{ProQuest|1286414097}}}}</ref>
|69
|-
!scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1991|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|pages=YE{{hyphen}}36|date=December 21, 1991|id={{ProQuest|1286415000}}}}</ref>
|24
|}

=== Decade-end charts ===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Decade-end chart performance for "Love Takes Time"
!Chart (1990–1999)
!Position
!Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada ([[Nielsen SoundScan]])<ref>{{cite web|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000829070927/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|archivedate=August 29, 2000|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|title=Top 100 singles of the 1990s|website=[[Jam!]]|accessdate=March 26, 2022}}</ref>
|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1991|title=Billboard Top 100 - 1991|accessdate=September 15, 2009}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|69
|align=center|93
|}

===All-time charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+All-time chart performance for "Love Takes Time"
!scope="col"|Chart (1958–2018)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary|title=Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 14, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|199
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Certifications==
=== Sales and certifications ===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Love Takes Time"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Love Takes Time|artist=Mariah Carey|type=single|award=Gold||certyear=1991|relyear=1991|accessdate=2012-12-12|autocat=yes}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|artist=Mariah Carey|title=Love Takes Time|award=Gold|certyear=2019|relyear=1990|access-date=March 22, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Love Takes Time|artist=Mariah Carey|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=2023|relyear=1990|access-date=August 31, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

==Release history==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Love Takes Time"
! scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date
! scope="col"| Format(s)
! scope="col"| Label(s)
! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
! scope="row"| United States
| August 22, 1990
| {{hlist|[[7-inch vinyl]]|[[cassette single|cassette]]}}
| [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| {{center|<ref>{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Mariah Carey|type=single|title=Love Takes Time|access-date=April 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|page=84|date=September 15, 1990|id={{ProQuest|1505900316}}}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| Japan
| October 21, 1990
| [[Mini CD single|Mini CD]]
| [[Sony Music Japan]]
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/163336/products/90144/1/|title=ラブ・テイクス・タイム|trans-title=Love Takes Time|language=ja|publisher=[[Oricon]]|access-date=April 27, 2022}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| United Kingdom
| October 29, 1990
| {{hlist|7-inch vinyl|[[12-inch vinyl]]|cassette|[[Maxi single|maxi CD]]}}
| [[CBS Records International|CBS]]
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=41|date=October 27, 1990}}</ref>}}
|}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1990 (U.S.)]]
* [[List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1990]]
*[[List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1990 (U.S.)]]
* [[List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1990 (U.S.)]]
*[[R&B number-one hits of 1990 (USA)]]
* [[List of number-one R&B singles of 1990 (U.S.)]]

*[[List of RPM number-one singles of 1990]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last1=Downey|first1=Pat|last2=Albert|first2=George|last3=Hoffman|first3=Frank|date=1994|title=Cash Box Pop Singles Charts 1950–1993|publisher=[[Libraries Unlimited]]|isbn=1-56308-316-7|ol=OL1105653M}}
* {{cite book|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|author-link=Nanda Lwin|date=2000|title=Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide|publisher=Music Data Canada|isbn=1-896594-13-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Nickson|first=Chris|year=1998|title=Mariah Carey Revisited: An Unauthorised Biography|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=0312195125}}
* {{cite book|first=Gavin|last=Ryan|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{YouTube|FkDpwF6-QiA|Official music video}}
* {{MetroLyrics song|mariah-carey|love-takes-time}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Mariah Carey}}
{{Mariah Carey}}
{{Mariah Carey singles}}
{{Mariah Carey singles}}


{{authority control}}

[[Category:1990 singles]]
[[Category:1990 songs]]
[[Category:1990 songs]]
[[Category:Mariah Carey songs]]
[[Category:Mariah Carey songs]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one singles]]
[[Category:Cashbox number-one singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles]]
[[Category:CBS Records singles]]
[[Category:Canadian Singles Chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:Sony Music singles]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:1990s ballads]]
[[Category:Pop ballads]]
[[Category:Pop ballads]]
[[Category:Rhythm and blues ballads]]
[[Category:Contemporary R&B ballads]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Walter Afanasieff]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Walter Afanasieff]]
[[Category:Songs written by Mariah Carey]]
[[Category:Songs written by Mariah Carey]]
[[Category:1990 singles]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ben Margulies]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ben Margulies]]
[[Category:Songs about heartache]]
[[Category:Black-and-white music videos]]

Latest revision as of 10:08, 4 December 2024

This article is about the song by Mariah Carey. For the song by Orleans, see Love Takes Time (Orleans song).

"Love Takes Time"
US cassette cover
Single by Mariah Carey
from the album Mariah Carey
B-side
ReleasedAugust 22, 1990 (1990-08-22)
Recorded1990
GenrePop
Length3:49
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Walter Afanasieff
Mariah Carey singles chronology
"Vision of Love"
(1990) 		"Love Takes Time"
(1990) 		"Someday"
(1990)
Music video
"Love Takes Time" on YouTube

"Love Takes Time" is a song recorded by American singer Mariah Carey for her eponymous debut studio album (1990). Written by Carey and Ben Margulies, while produced by Walter Afanasieff, the song was released as the second single from the album on August 22, 1990, by Columbia Records. An adult contemporary-influenced ballad, the song follows its protagonist lamenting the loss of a lover and confesses that "love takes time" to heal and that her feelings for her ex-lover remain.

Carey quickly recorded "Love Takes Time" at the last minute when the album was already considered complete and being processed for release. She played the song's demo to former Columbia CEO Don Ienner while on an airplane. Ienner and other officials wanted the song to be included on her upcoming album, even though the album was already going through final stages of completion and Carey wanted to save it for her sophomore effort. The song made it on to the album as the closing track, however, due to its late addition, it was not listed on the earliest pressings of the album, an issue that was corrected on subsequent pressings.

"Love Takes Time" was well received by music critics and went to become another success from the album in North America. It was Carey's second number-one single in the United States, attaining the position for three weeks. However, the song did not replicate the success of its predecessor, Vision of Love, globally. A music video was provided for the song, filmed in black and white at a beach. "Love Takes Time" has been included on Carey's compilation album Greatest Hits (2001), as well as #1 to Infinity (2015). "Love Takes Time" was performed live on shows such as The Arsenio Hall Show, Mariah's Thanksgiving NBC Special and The Des O'Connor Show.[citation needed] Since its release, the song has been included on set lists of Carey's concert tours and residencies.

Writing and recording

[edit]

Carey's debut album was completed and being mastered when she wrote the song with Ben Margulies. Margulies said: "It was sort of a gospelish thing I was improvising, then we began working on it. It was on a work tape that we had...and we recorded a very quick demo. It was just a piano vocal demo - I played live piano, and she sang it." Carey was on a mini-tour of ten states, playing acoustically with a piano player and three back-up singers. While on a company plane, she played the demo of "Love Takes Time" for Columbia Records president Don Ienner. "All the important guys were on the plane," Margulies said. "Tommy Mottola, Ienner, and Bobby Colomby." Carey was told the song was a "career-maker" and that it had to go on the first album. She protested, as her album was already being mastered and she intended the ballad for her next release.

The demo was sent to producer Walter Afanasieff. When Carey flew west to work with Narada Michael Walden on some tracks for her first album, Tommy Mottola and Don Ienner were impressed with Afanasieff's work and gave him an executive staff producer job with the label. Afanasieff recalled: "I guess to see if he made the right choice, [Mottola] called me up one day. He said, 'We've got this Mariah Carey album done, but there's a song that she and Ben Margulies wrote that is phenomenal, and I want to try everything we can to put it on the album.' I said, 'What do you want me to do?' and he said, 'You only have a couple of days, but are you ready to cut it?' I couldn't believe the opportunity that it was. I'd never produced anything by myself up until that time."

The demo was very close to what Mottola wanted the finished product to be, according to Afanasieff: "We cut the song and the music and the basics in about a day - and the only reason is this deadline. It was do it or we were gonna miss out on the whole thing. We got the tape and recorded everything and we got on the plane and went to New York [and] did her vocals. She did all the backgrounds, practically sang all night...We came back to the studio that afternoon, and we had to fix one line very quickly, and then [engineer] Dana Jon Chappelle and I got back on the plane with the tape, went back to the studio in Sausalito, and mixed it. So it was a three-day process: a day and a half for music, kind of like a day for vocals, and a day for mixing."

Afanasieff heard from Columbia executives as soon as they received the mix. They wanted Carey's vocal a little louder, so a remix was quickly completed. The producer asked if the song would still make the debut album, and was told: "We're going to do our best." When the album was released, "Love Takes Time" was not listed on neither cassette nor CD pressings. Margulies said: "And so the song's on there, but it doesn't say that it's on there. It was a song that actually was strong enough to stop the pressing...I don't know if they had to throw away a few hundred copies."[1]

Composition

[edit]

"Love Takes Time" is performed in the key of B Major[2] in common time with a slow tempo of 63 beats per minute. Carey's vocals span three octaves and five semitones from D♯3 to G♯6 in the song.[3]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Entertainment Weekly (2006)A[4]
Entertainment Weekly (2012)B[5]
Stereogum7/10[6]

Upon its release, "Love Takes Time" received critical acclaim. Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "stunning power ballad" and noted further that the song is "everything you would expect from the singer-and more."[7] A reviewer from Cashbox commented, "Mariah Carey floored everyone with her smash debut single, "Vision of Love", winning critical accolades and fans in the process. "Love Takes Time" should convert the last few holdouts while proving to instant fans that their adulation was not misplaced or misdirected. Carey keeps things simmering at a low heat, slowly unveiling the power and beauty of her voice. Should be firmly lodged in the #1 slot very soon."[8] Entertainment Weekly wrote, "With just the softest synthesizer tinkle, a touch of percussion, and what may well have been a borrowed pair of back-porch wind chimes, she made every last listener feel the utter despair of a breakup: "Losing my mind/From this hollow in my heart/Suddenly I’m so incomplete.""[9] In 2015, Est 1997 writer Mario stated that it was an ″Adult Contemporary ballad″ and that it was "arguably some of the strongest melodies and bridge in Mariah’s catalog." He continued by saying that ″Her vocals are so pure and passionate that every emotion filters through the music and just reaches and warms the heart. It’s the realisation of a universal truth by a young woman who’s still learning to deal with feelings. There’s almost a sense of naivety in the lyrics but, at the same time, the song sounds mature and it’s relatable. That’s a constant in Mariah’s catalog, something that has marked her strength and endurance as a writer."[10]

During a review of her 2001 Greatest Hits album in May 2002, Devon Powers of PopMatters praised the song along with "I Don't Wanna Cry", calling it "stupendous" and said that ″Her lyrics were exactly what you wanted them to be: simple, memorable, and absolutely true." Stephen Filippelli from Review Stream called the song decent, but mainly criticized the music video for the song.[11] Amanda Dobbins and Lindsay Weber of Vulture listed "Love Takes Time" at number-nineteen on their list of "Mariah Carey’s 25 Best Singles".[12] OO Cities called the song a "beautiful ballad".[13]

Accolades

[edit]

"Love Takes Time" won a BMI R&B Award for Song of the Year and Songwriter Award. The song also won Carey the 1991 Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Urban Contemporary New Artist.[14][15]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Love Takes Time" debuted at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 15, 1990. In its ninth week, it reached the summit of the chart, where it spent three weeks. It spent seven weeks within the top ten and 17 weeks within the top 40, as well as being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It topped every other Billboard chart for which it was eligible, including the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. Because its success was divided over two calendar years, it did not rank high on Billboard's year-end charts, being ranked at number 76 in 1990 and number 69 in 1991.

Internationally, "Love Takes Time" failed to emulate its US success in any other market except Canada, where it reached number two on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart. It did reach the top ten in Iceland and New Zealand, but did not make much of an impact elsewhere, becoming a moderate top-20 hit in Australia, and a top-40 hit in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. It failed to reach the top 40 in Germany, peaking at number 57.

Music video

[edit]

The single's video, directed by Jeb Brien and Walter Maser, features Carey walking around a beach after a man walks away with luggage in Venice, Los Angeles. The video was not included on Carey's video compilation #1's (1999) and was replaced with a live performance of the song, filmed at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, New York in 1993.[16][a]

Live performances

[edit]

Carey performed the song at The Arsenio Hall Show, later she performed the song at shows like Des O'Connor Tonight, It's Showtime At The Apollo and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.[citation needed] Three years later, in 1993, she performed the song in the special Here Is Mariah Carey, filmed at Proctor's Theatre.[citation needed] Later, that year, she performed again during her first stateside tour, the Music Box Tour (1993). After this, she didn't perform the song until 2013, when she sang a snippet of the song during the Australian tour.[citation needed] After this, Carey included the song in her 2015 Las Vegas residency #1 to Infinity serving as the second song.[citation needed] It was also included during selected dates of her 2018-2019 Las Vegas residency The Butterfly Returns. It was performed in select dates of Caution World Tour (2019).[citation needed]

Track listing and formats

[edit]
  • European 12-inch vinyl and maxi-CD singles[17][18]
  1. "Love Takes Time"
  2. "Sent from Up Above"
  3. "Vanishing"
  • UK 12-inch vinyl[19]
  1. "Love Takes Time"
  2. "You Need Me"
  3. "Vanishing"
  • Worldwide 7-inch vinyl, CD and Japanese CD3 singles[20][21][22]
  1. "Love Takes Time"
  2. "Sent from Up Above"
  • UK 7-inch vinyl and cassette singles[23][24]
  1. "Love Takes Time"
  2. "Vanishing"
  1. "Love Takes Time"
  2. "Vanishing"
  3. "You Need Me"
  • UK limited edition picture disc CD single[26]
  1. "Love Takes Time"
  2. "Vanishing"
  3. "You Need Me"
  4. "Vision of Love"

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Love Takes Time"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[67] Gold 35,000‡
United States (RIAA)[68] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Love Takes Time"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States August 22, 1990
Columbia
[69][70]
Japan October 21, 1990 Mini CD Sony Music Japan
[71]
United Kingdom October 29, 1990
CBS
[72]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The performance video for "Love Takes Time" was originally released as part of Carey's third video album Here Is Mariah Carey (1993).

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Hero" inside story Archived June 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time – Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Universal Publishing. November 17, 2006. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
  3. ^ Hal Leonard (2007). Mariah Carey: Original Keys for Singers. Hal Leonard. pp. 101–108. ISBN 978-1-4234-1996-9.
  4. ^ Pastorek, Whitney (October 31, 2006). "This Week in 1990: Rating the Top Ten Hits". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  5. ^ Greenblatt, Leah (November 2, 2012). "Chart Flashback: 1990". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  6. ^ Breihan, Tom (October 22, 2021). "The Number Ones: Mariah Carey's "Love Takes Time"". Stereogum. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Flick, Larry (September 8, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 73. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  8. ^ "Pop Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Cashbox. September 15, 1990. p. 15. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "Celebrate Mariah Carey's birthday with the ultimate ranking of her No. 1 hits". Entertainment Weekly. March 27, 2018. p. 94. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  10. ^ ""Love Takes Time," but for Mariah Carey, a second #1 hit doesn't!". Est 1997. July 17, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  11. ^ Filippelli, Filippelli. "Love Takes Time (1990): Mariah Carey". Review Stream. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  12. ^ Weber, Lindsay; Dobbins, Amanda (May 28, 2014). "VULTURE LISTS May 28, 2014 1:20 p.m. These Are Mariah Carey's 25 Best Singles". Vulture. No. May 2014. Vulture. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  13. ^ "Love Takes Time was the second single from Mariah Carey album". OO Cities. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  14. ^ "1991 Winners: Soul Train Music Awards". February 8, 2005. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  15. ^ TV.com (March 12, 1991). "Soul Train - Season 20, Episode 22: The 5th Annual Soul Train Music Awards". TV.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  16. ^ Carey, Mariah (1999). #1's. United States: Columbia Home Video. CVD 50195.
  17. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  18. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  19. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, October 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  20. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  21. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  22. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, October 21, 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  23. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, October 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  24. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, October 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  25. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, October 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  26. ^ Mariah Carey - Love Takes Time, 1990, retrieved May 20, 2022
  27. ^ "Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  28. ^ "Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  29. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9171." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  30. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9165." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  31. ^ a b Lwin 2000, p. 59
  32. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  33. ^ "Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  34. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 10". Dagblaðið Vísir. November 30, 1990. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  35. ^ "National Airplay" (PDF). Music & Media. December 1, 1990. p. 12.
  36. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 46, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  37. ^ "Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  38. ^ "Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  39. ^ "Mariah Carey – dorobek wykonawcy na LP3" (in Polish). LP3. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  40. ^ "National Airplay" (PDF). Music & Media. December 8, 1990. p. 11.
  41. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  42. ^ "Top 50 Network Singles". Melody Maker. December 15, 1990. p. 2.
  43. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  44. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  45. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  46. ^ "Crossover Radio Airplay". Billboard. December 1, 1990. p. 75. ProQuest 1505952765.
  47. ^ "Top 40 Radio Monitor". Billboard. December 8, 1990. p. 84. ProQuest 1505935994.
  48. ^ Downey, Albert & Hoffman 1994, p. 50
  49. ^ "Top R&B Singles". Cash Box. November 3, 1990. p. 13.
  50. ^ "Adult Contemporary". Gavin Report. November 16, 1990. p. 26.
  51. ^ "Top 40". Gavin Report. November 16, 1990. p. 8.
  52. ^ "Urban Contemporary". Gavin Report. November 16, 1990. p. 23.
  53. ^ a b "National Airplay Overview". Radio & Records. November 9, 1990. p. 96. ProQuest 1017232974.
  54. ^ "National Airplay Overview". Radio & Records. November 16, 1990. p. 96. ProQuest 1017247212.
  55. ^ "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 22, 1990. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  56. ^ "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 22, 1990. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  57. ^ a b "The Year in Music 1990". Billboard. December 22, 1990. pp. YE-14, YE-22. ProQuest 1505935090.
  58. ^ "Top 90 of '90". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 72. ProQuest 1017240496.
  59. ^ "Top 90 of '90". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 56. ProQuest 1017245278.
  60. ^ "Top 90 of '90". Radio & Records. December 14, 1990. p. 60. ProQuest 1017250211.
  61. ^ Ryan 2011
  62. ^ Lwin, Nanda (1997). Canada's Top Hits of the Year 1975–1996. Music Data Canada. p. 106. ISBN 1-896594-10-7.
  63. ^ "The Year in Music 1991". Billboard. December 21, 1991. pp. YE-14. ProQuest 1286414097.
  64. ^ "The Year in Music 1991". Billboard. December 21, 1991. pp. YE-36. ProQuest 1286415000.
  65. ^ Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  66. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  67. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  68. ^ "American single certifications – Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  69. ^ "American single certifications – Mariah Carey – Love Takes Time". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  70. ^ "Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. September 15, 1990. p. 84. ProQuest 1505900316.
  71. ^ "ラブ・テイクス・タイム" [Love Takes Time] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  72. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. October 27, 1990. p. 41.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Downey, Pat; Albert, George; Hoffman, Frank (1994). Cash Box Pop Singles Charts 1950–1993. Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 1-56308-316-7. OL 1105653M.
  • Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  • Nickson, Chris (1998). Mariah Carey Revisited: An Unauthorised Biography. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0312195125.
  • Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
[edit]
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