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It Ain't Over 'til It's Over
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = It Ain't Over 'til It's Over
| cover = Lenny Kravitz - IAOTIO single.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Lenny Kravitz
| album = Mama Said
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:55
| label = Virgin
| writer = Lenny Kravitz
| producer = Lenny Kravitz
| prev_title = Always on the Run
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = Fields of Joy
| next_year = 1992
| misc =
}}
"'It Ain't Over 'til It's Over'" is a song written, produced, and performed by American musician Lenny Kravitz for his second studio album, 'Mama Said' (1991). Released as the album's second single in June 1991, the song is a mid-tempo ballad musically inspired by Motown, Philly soul, and Earth, Wind & Fire (particularly "That's the Way of the World"). The horn line at the end is performed by the Phenix Horns from Earth, Wind & Fire. "That song just came out one day, and I knew it had a classic vibe. And I still love that song very much today," Kravitz said in an interview for VivaMusic.com in 2000. The line is based on a Yogiism, or quotation from Yogi Berra: "It ain't over 'til it's over."See Examples of Yogiisms.
"It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" was Kravitz's first top-10 hit on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100, reaching 2 to become his highest peak on the chart. Worldwide, the single also reached No. 2 in Canada and peaked within the top 10 on the charts of Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, it reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart. British singer Mutya Buena's 2007 song "Real Girl" contains a sample from "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over"; this recording peaked at No. 2 on the UK chart.
Background
The song was written by Kravitz while dealing with a struggling marriage to his then wife, Lisa Bonet, and was an attempt to rekindle the relationship. Kravitz has described his thinking at that time as "not just a depression, but a fog. I didnt know which way was up".
Initially Kravitz, realizing the hit potential of the song, did not want to release the song himself, wishing to remain an underground artist, thinking instead of giving the song to Smokey Robinson. His label however eventually persuaded him to include it on the album.
Critical reception
Christopher A. Daniel from Albumism said that the song "marries his Curtis Mayfield-inspired falsetto with chunky Stax Records guitars and a lush MFSB-flavored (possibly Love Unlimited Orchestra) string arrangement." Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic noted its "swirling Philly soul", describing the song as "instantly addictive". Carla Hay of AXS stated, "Kravitz has said he wrote this song about the breakdown of his marriage to actress Lisa Bonet (they eventually divorced), and the heartbreak is oozing all over this song." She added, "With a Motown-ish 1960s vibe, this ballad (from 1991s 'Mama Said' album) is one of Kravitzs best ballads. It remains his highest-charting hit of his career in the U.S., where it peaked at No. 2 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart." Larry Flick from 'Billboard' called it a "delicious slice of Philly soul/pop, flavored with lush strings, understated funk bass and guitar riffs, and Kravitz's engaging falsetto vocal. Could be a sleeper smash." Alex Henderson from 'Cashbox' picked the song as one of the "goodies" from the album, describing it as "uptown soul"-flavoured. Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' commented that the singer "sings in smooth tones, reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield and the Style Council. Soultime on EHR." Also 'Sunday Tribune's reviewer noted that Paul Weller and Mayfield are "echoed" in the song.'Sunday Tribune'. April 21, 1991. p. 22. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
Chart performance
"It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" is Kravitz's most successful single on the U.S. 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart to date, peaking at No. 2. It also reached No. 2 on the Canadian 'RPM' Top Singles chart, behind Adams' hit as well. It was also popular in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart.
Music video
The music video, directed by Jesse Dylan, features Kravitz and his band performing the song. Different kinds of background lighting colors were featured in the video.
Track listings and formats
'CD single and 12-inch single'
# "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" 3:55
# "I'll Be Around" 2:52
# "The Difference Is Why" 4:48
'7-inch single'
# "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" 3:55
# "The Difference Is Why" 4:48
Personnel
* Lenny Kravitz vocals, guitar, bass guitar, electric piano, drums, electric sitar
* The Phenix Horns horn section
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Release history
References
Buy It Ain't Over 'til It's Over now from Amazon
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