Never Knew Love Like This Before

"Never Knew Love Like This Before" is a 1980 song written and produced by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas, and recorded by American R&B singer Stephanie Mills for her fourth studio album Sweet Sensation (1980). The song was inspired by the birth of Lucas' daughter Lisa.

The song became Mills' most successful song in the United States, peaking at number six on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart, outperforming "What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin'", which peaked at 22 in 1979. "Never Knew Love Like This Before" also charted on the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts, peaking at number 12 and five, respectively. The song was a bigger commercial success in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number four.

"Never Knew Love Like This Before" won Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1981, beating fellow nominees including Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, and Minnie Riperton.

The song title was used for the fourth episode of the second season of the American drama series Pose, which aired on 9 July 2019. The episode concludes with the character of Candy, portrayed by Angelica Ross, lip-synching to the song; the scene received critical acclaim.

Personnel

 * Howard King – drums
 * Basil Fearington – bass
 * James Mtume – keyboards
 * Hubert Eaves III – keyboards
 * Reggie Lucas – guitar
 * Ed Moore – guitar
 * James Mtume – percussion
 * Ed Walsh – synthesizer programming
 * Tawatha Agee, Gwen Guthrie, Brenda White King, James Mtume & Reggie Lucas – background vocals
 * Gene Blanco – String and horn arrangements

Cover versions

 * In 1999, French band Organiz' covered the song. The track reached on number five on French Singles Chart, and 6 on Belgian Singles Chart.
 * Thomas Anders covered the song for his 1995 album Souled.
 * In 2013, Jessie Ware covered the song for the soundtrack to the film I Give It a Year.

Composition
The Intro and Verse chords are [B E F#/A#  D#m7 G#m7 C#m9 E/F#], cycling through the diatonic Circle of fifths in the key of B major. The Chorus section chords are [Emaj7 D#m7 C#m7 Emaj7 D#m7 C#m7 Emaj7 D#m7 C#sus4 C#7 E].