Released September 1973 Recorded 1973 | Format 7" single Genre Soul | |
A-side "The Love I Lost" (Part 1) B-side "The Love I Lost" (Part 2) | ||
"The Love I Lost" is a song by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Originally written as a ballad by Philly soul songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the song was transformed into a disco song. It was released from the Black & Blue album in late 1973. Selling more than a million copies, it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and spent 2 weeks at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. It also reached number 21 in the United Kingdom on the BBC Top 50 singles chart in early 1974. It featured the drummer Earl Young.
In the 21st century, the track has been the subject of extended re-edits by notable remixers Tom Moulton and Dimitri From Paris.
A cover version by R&B singer Sybil, credited as "West End featuring Sybil", released in 1993, reached number 18 on the US dance charts and number three in the United Kingdom.