Live Together
| "Live Together" | ||||
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| Single by Lisa Stansfield | ||||
| from the album Affection | ||||
| B-side | "Sing It" | |||
| Released | 29 January 1990[1] | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
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| Label | Arista | |||
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| Lisa Stansfield singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Live Together" on YouTube | ||||
"Live Together" is a song by British singer-songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield for her debut album, Affection (1989). It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. It was released as the third European single on 29 January 1990 by Arista Records, and included previously unreleased song "Sing It" and remixes of "Live Together" created by Massive Attack and Steve Anderson. It became a hit in Europe, reaching top ten in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and Italy, and top forty in other European countries. The accompanying music video was directed by Philip Richardson, depicting Stansfield performing at a train station.
In 2003, the song was included on Biography: The Greatest Hits. In 2014, the remixes of "Live Together" and "Sing It" were included on the deluxe 2CD + DVD re-release of Affection and on People Hold On ... The Remix Anthology (also on The Collection 1989–2003).
Critical reception
[edit | edit source]Upon the album release, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that Stansfield's voice "alternately soars, sobs and adds over-dubbed backup vocals" on self-penned tunes such as "Live Together".[2] J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun praised her "warm, emotive voice", "seeming soulfully insinuating" through the song.[3] A reviewer from Billboard magazine described it as "Gloria Gaynor-ish" and said the singer "shows just what powerful potential she has".[4] Bob Stanley from Melody Maker viewed it as "a lacklustre follow-up by the girl with the Subbutea painted haircut". He added, "How does it compare to Lisa's other singles? More of the same only less so."[5]
Pan-European magazine Music & Media stated that the re-recorded version of the track from Stansfield's debut LP is a good follow-up to "All Around the World". The reviewer noted further that the Philadelphia soul-type orchestration "helps to make this song an undoubted hit".[6] David Giles from Music Week commented, "Another homage to the sound of Seventies soul which has got the orchestral parts exactly right. As a song, it's the equal of 'All Around the World', even if the lyrics are a bit drippy."[7] Paul Simper from Number One felt there's a bit in the midst of "Live Together" "which oddly reminds one" of Eurythmics' "You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart".[8]
Retrospective response
[edit | edit source]In a 2020 retrospective review, Matthew Hocter from Albumism described "Live Together" as "‘70s inspired soul".[9]
Chart performance
[edit | edit source]"Live Together" entered the top 10 in Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In the UK, the song peaked at number 10 during its second week on the UK Singles Chart, on 11 February 1990, after having debuted at number 19 the week before.[10] It became a top-20 hit in Finland, Ireland, Spain and Switzerland, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, peaking at number 19 in March 1990. Additionally, it was a top-30 hit in Austria and West Germany. Outside Europe, "Live Together" peaked at numbers 23 and 62 in New Zealand and Australia, respectively.
Music video
[edit | edit source]The music video for "Live Together" was directed by Philip Richardson.[11] He had previously directed the video for "All Around the World".
In the video, Stansfield stands at a train station. She sings in front of the train tracks. The video has a blue tone. Stansfield is wearing a big cap and a long coat. Her kiss curls are visible. Some scenes also see her singing on the bridge over the railroad tracks. Several trains come and go throughout the video. In the end, she runs towards a young man standing on the station and throws himself over him. They embrace each other. As the video ends, they walk away while holding each other around.[12]
Track listings
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Charts
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Weekly charts[edit | edit source]
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Year-end charts[edit | edit source]
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References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ "Blue-Eyed Soul Lisa Stansfield's voice gets her 'All Around the World'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 11 May 1990.
- ^ Considine, J.D. (1990). "Lisa Stansfield – Affection". Baltimore Sun – via St. Louis Post-Dispatch. (4 March 1990).
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- ^ a b "Lisa Stansfield: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
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- ^ "Lisa Stansfield – Live Together" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Lisa Stansfield – Live Together" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
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- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Live Together". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Lisa Stansfield".
- ^ Radio Luxembourg Singles. 18 February 1990.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 11, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Lisa Stansfield – Live Together" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Lisa Stansfield – Live Together". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
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- ^ "Lisa Stansfield – Live Together". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
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