Love X Love

Album: Give Me The Night (1980)
Charted: 10 61
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Love is usually expressed in addition, as in "you plus me equals ecstasy." But in this song, there's a different arithmetic: the love is multiplied, growing at a staggering rate. That means to break it would take division, not just subtraction, and this love won't be divided.
  • The title is rendered "Love X Love," with the "X" indicating multiplication. "X," of course, is also shorthand for a kiss, making it even more apropos. The song title is spoken as "Love Times Love."
  • "Love X Love" is a Quincy Jones production, which means there are some really good musicians playing on it. George Benson is an ace guitarist, and he's augmented by Greg Phillinganes on keyboards, Louis Johnson on bass, and a horn section that includes Jerry Hey on trumpet. One of the backup singers is Patti Austin, who had a big hit the following year with "Baby, Come To Me," also produced by Jones.
  • The song was written by Rod Temperton, who was the keyboard player and main songwriter in the band Heatwave of "Boogie Nights" fame. Temperton also wrote some Michael Jackson songs that Quincy Jones produced, including "Rock With You" and "Thriller."
  • "Love X Love" was the follow-up to George Benson's biggest hit, "Give Me The Night." That one was also written by Rod Temperton.

Comments: 1

  • Mitchell from Liverpool, UkAlways been a favourite of mine. Rod Temperton was one of the most underrated songwriters around for me.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.