Love Sneakin' Up On You

"Love Sneakin' Up On You"
"Love Sneakin' Up On You"
Single by Bonnie Raitt
from the album Longing in Their Hearts
B-side	"Hell to Pay"
Released	March 1994
Genre	Rock; blues; pop;
Length	3:39
Label	Capitol; EMI;
Songwriters	Jimmy Scott; Tom Snow;
Producers	Don Was; Bonnie Raitt;
Bonnie Raitt singles chronology
Music video
	"Love Sneakin' Up On You" on YouTube

"Love Sneakin' Up On You" is a song by American blues singer Bonnie Raitt. Released in March 1994 by Capitol and EMI from her 12th album, Longing in Their Hearts (1994), the song topped Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart for three weeks and reached number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also charted in Germany and the United Kingdom. In 1995, it was nominated for both the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.^[3] Irish director Meiert Avis directed the song's music video,^[4] which was nominated for Best Clip of the Year in the category for Pop/AC at the 1994 Billboard Music Video Awards.^[5]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine described the song as "a familiar, uptempo stomper that rides on the strength of her well-worn vocal style and funky instrumentation." He added, "With so few things to count on in life, it's comforting to know that you can always rely on Raitt to serve up a tasty blend of well-lubed guitar licks over a steamy blues/pop ditty. Watch her friends at top 40, album rock, and AC radio gobble this one up within moments."^[2] Fell and Rufer from the Gavin Report wrote, "Bonnie gets up and down with this funky preface to her next album, Longing in Their Hearts. How great it is to have a beat-driven fresh track from one of our format's icons."^[6] Pan-European magazine Music & Media stated, "This mid-tempo rocker with a hell of a slide guitar proves that truck loads of Grammy awards couldn't kill the beast inside."^[1]

Track listings

US 7-inch and cassette single; Japanese mini-CD single^[7]^[8]^[9]

"Love Sneakin' Up On You" – 3:39
"Hell to Pay" – 4:02

European CD single^[10]

"Love Sneakin' Up On You" – 3:39
"Nick of Time" – 3:52
"Baby Mine" – 3:14
"Hell to Pay" – 4:02

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1994)	Peak position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[11]	1
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[12]	1
Germany (GfK)^[13]	71
Scotland (OCC)^[14]	90
UK Singles (OCC)^[15]	69
US Billboard Hot 100^[16]	19
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[17]	2
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)^[18]	25
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[19]	15
US Cash Box Top 100^[20]	10

Year-end charts

Chart (1994)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[21]	14
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[22]	26
US Billboard Hot 100^[23]	94
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[24]	15

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	February 28, 1994	Top 40 adult contemporary album rock album alternative radio	Capitol	^[25]
United States	March 1994	7-inch vinyl cassette	Capitol	^[26]
United Kingdom	March 28, 1994	CD cassette	Capitol EMI	^[27]
Japan	March 30, 1994	Mini-CD	EMI Japan	^[28]
Australia	April 11, 1994	CD cassette	Capitol	^[29]

References

^ ^a ^b "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 14. April 2, 1994. p. 11. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c Flick, Larry (March 5, 1994). "Single Reviews: Pop" (PDF). Billboard. p. 59. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
^ "The 37th Grammy Nominations". LA Times. January 6, 1995. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
^ Russell, Deborah (March 19, 1994). "MN, Blockbuster Plan 'Corner Store' Concept". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 12. p. 45. The set's debut clip, 'Love Sneakin' Up On You,' directed by Meiert Avis...
^ Russell, Deborah (October 15, 1994). "Music Video Award Nominees Named" (PDF). Billboard. p. 12. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
^ Fell, Ron; Rufer, Diane (February 25, 1994). "Gavin A/C — New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
^ Love Sneakin' Up On You (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Bonnie Raitt. Capitol Records. 1994. S7-17818.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Love Sneakin' Up On You (US cassette single sleeve). Bonnie Raitt. Capitol Records. 1994. 4KM 7243 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Love Sneakin' Up On You (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Bonnie Raitt. EMI Music Japan. 1994. TODP-2444.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Love Sneakin' Up On You (European CD single liner notes). Bonnie Raitt. Capitol Records, EMI Records. 1994. 7243 8 81264 2 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2456." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2481." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
^ "Bonnie Raitt – Love Sneakin' Up On You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
^ "Bonnie Raitt Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
^ "Bonnie Raitt Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
^ "Bonnie Raitt Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
^ "Bonnie Raitt Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
^ "U.S. Cash Box Charts" (PDF). popmusichistory. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Retrieved April 7, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
^ "RPM Top 100 AC tracks of 1994". RPM. Retrieved April 7, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
^ "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. YE-68. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
^ Newman, Melissa (February 19, 1994). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 8. p. 17. 'Love Sneakin' Up On You,' which goes to adult contemporary, top 40, album rock, and album alternative Feb. 28.
^ McCaib, Kevin (March 19, 1994). "No More Longing for New Raitt Set". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 12. p. 85. All points are from radio, as the commercial single just arrived in stores.
^ "Single Releases". Music Week. March 26, 1994. p. 23.
^ "恋が生まれるとき | ボニー・レイット" [When Love Is Born | Bonnie Raitt] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
^ "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 11/04/94: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 217. April 10, 1994. p. 19.

[music&media-1] "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 14. April 2, 1994. p. 11. Retrieved April 25, 2025.

[larryflick-2] Flick, Larry (March 5, 1994). "Single Reviews: Pop" (PDF). Billboard. p. 59. Retrieved May 10, 2025.

[3] "The 37th Grammy Nominations". LA Times. January 6, 1995. Retrieved April 7, 2018.

[4] Russell, Deborah (March 19, 1994). "MN, Blockbuster Plan 'Corner Store' Concept". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 12. p. 45. The set's debut clip, 'Love Sneakin' Up On You,' directed by Meiert Avis...

[5] Russell, Deborah (October 15, 1994). "Music Video Award Nominees Named" (PDF). Billboard. p. 12. Retrieved May 31, 2025.

[6] Fell, Ron; Rufer, Diane (February 25, 1994). "Gavin A/C — New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. Retrieved March 14, 2022.

[7] Love Sneakin' Up On You (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Bonnie Raitt. Capitol Records. 1994. S7-17818.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[8] Love Sneakin' Up On You (US cassette single sleeve). Bonnie Raitt. Capitol Records. 1994. 4KM 7243 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[9] Love Sneakin' Up On You (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Bonnie Raitt. EMI Music Japan. 1994. TODP-2444.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[10] Love Sneakin' Up On You (European CD single liner notes). Bonnie Raitt. Capitol Records, EMI Records. 1994. 7243 8 81264 2 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-11] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2456." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.

[sc_Canadaadultcontemporary_-12] "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2481." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.

[sc_Germany_Bonnie_Raitt-13] "Bonnie Raitt – Love Sneakin' Up On You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.

[sc_Scotland_-14] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[sc_UK_-15] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Bonnie_Raitt-16] "Bonnie Raitt Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Bonnie_Raitt-17] "Bonnie Raitt Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.

[sc_Billboardmainstreamrock_Bonnie_Raitt-18] "Bonnie Raitt Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.

[sc_Billboardpopsongs_Bonnie_Raitt-19] "Bonnie Raitt Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.

[20] "U.S. Cash Box Charts" (PDF). popmusichistory. Retrieved December 28, 2022.

[21] "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Retrieved April 7, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[22] "RPM Top 100 AC tracks of 1994". RPM. Retrieved April 7, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[23] "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved May 15, 2020.

[24] "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. YE-68. Retrieved February 14, 2024.

[25] Newman, Melissa (February 19, 1994). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 8. p. 17. 'Love Sneakin' Up On You,' which goes to adult contemporary, top 40, album rock, and album alternative Feb. 28.

[26] McCaib, Kevin (March 19, 1994). "No More Longing for New Raitt Set". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 12. p. 85. All points are from radio, as the commercial single just arrived in stores.

[27] "Single Releases". Music Week. March 26, 1994. p. 23.

[28] "恋が生まれるとき | ボニー・レイット" [When Love Is Born | Bonnie Raitt] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 10, 2023.

[29] "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 11/04/94: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 217. April 10, 1994. p. 19.

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v t e Bonnie Raitt
Studio albums	Bonnie Raitt (1971) Give It Up (1972) Takin' My Time (1973) Streetlights (1974) Home Plate (1975) Sweet Forgiveness (1977) The Glow (1979) Green Light (1982) Nine Lives (1986) Nick of Time (1989) Luck of the Draw (1991) Longing in Their Hearts (1994) Fundamental (1998) Silver Lining (2002) Souls Alike (2005) Slipstream (2012) Dig In Deep (2016) Just Like That... (2022)
Compilation albums	The Bonnie Raitt Collection (1990) The Best of Bonnie Raitt (2003)
Live albums	Road Tested (1995) Decades Rock Live: Bonnie Raitt and Friends (2006)
Singles	"You've Been in Love Too Long" "Runaway" "Keep This Heart in Mind" "Nick of Time" "Something to Talk About" "I Can't Make You Love Me" "Not the Only One" "Love Sneakin' Up On You" "You Got It" "Rock Steady" (with Bryan Adams) "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (with Jackson Browne) "Right Down the Line"
Other songs	"Angel from Montgomery" "Just Like That"
Related articles	Discography

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