The Love in Your Eyes (Dan Hartman song)

Background

One of Hartman's final compositions, "The Love in Your Eyes" was written and produced by Hartman. Following the release of his 1989 instrumental album New Green Clear Blue, Hartman turned once again to producing and writing, mainly for others. By 1993, Hartman began to record a new album of contemporary pop and dance music. While in the studio during 1993, he noted that "So many things have changed in terms of social and political issues, as well as the need for love and personal relationships. All of these things are the reasons why writing and recording new material is most meaningful to me." In the end, a total of two songs were completed; "Keep the Fire Burnin'" and "The Love in Your Eyes".

The single was released posthumously after Hartman's death on March 22, 1994, from an AIDS-related brain tumor. Released in America and Europe, the single was not a commercial success and failed to make any chartings. It was Hartman's final single of his career, and succeeded "Keep the Fire Burnin'", which was the lead single from the same-titled album. The Keep the Fire Burnin' album largely featured remixes of Hartman's previous hits.

The song and its remixes were mastered by Jose Rodriguez at the New York City mastering firm Sterling Sound.

Release

The single was released via 12" vinyl and CD by Chaos Recordings, a dimension of Columbia Records in America, and via Columbia Records directly in Europe. In America, it was manufactured by Chaos Recordings. At the time, the album was still forthcoming.

In America, the CD release featured four different versions/remixes of the track; the "Radio Version" being the featured track, with the other three versions being the "Album Version," the "(Hip Radio Version)," and the "Classic Frankie" version. The latter remix was handled by Frankie Knuckles. An American promotional version of the single was also issued, with the same track-listing as the main issue. In Europe, the CD single featured the same track-listing.

The American 12" vinyl release featured the "Classic Frankie" remix as the featured track, along with four other exclusive remixes; the "(Classic Song)" version, the "(Reprise)" version, the "(DJ EFX's Raw Club)" version and the "(DJ EFX's Trib Hop)" version. The first three remixes were created by Knuckles, whilst the final two were done by Brendan McCarthy, DJ Digit and DJ Rasoul. The Frankie Knuckles remixes were done for Def Mix Productions.

All editions of the single featured a full colour picture sleeve which highlighted a photograph of Hartman posing. Following the song's original release as a single and from the Keep the Fire Burnin' album, an exclusive remix of the song would also appear on the 1994 American promotional Hot Track Series various artists release Hot Tracks 13-9. This was titled "The Love in Your Eyes (Hot Tracks)", but was largely similar to the remixes by Frankie Knuckles.

Promotion

No music video was created for the single as it was released after Hartman's death.

In The Advocate of February 21, 1995, and the issue of March 7, 1995, it was revealed that the song was made available to listen to via The Advocate musicline, presented by JBL. It was given the dial code 106.

Track listing

1. "The Love in Your Eyes (Classic Frankie)" - 7:05
2. "The Love in Your Eyes (Classic Song)" - 4:12
3. "The Love in Your Eyes (Reprise)" - 7:05
4. "The Love in Your Eyes (DJ EFX's Raw Club)" - 5:42
5. "The Love in Your Eyes (DJ EFX's Trip Hop)" - 8:19

1. "The Love in Your Eyes (Radio Version)" - 4:06
2. "The Love in Your Eyes (Album Version)" - 4:58
3. "The Love in Your Eyes (Hip Radio Version)" - 3:59
4. "The Love in Your Eyes (Classic Frankie)" - 7:03

1. "The Love in Your Eyes (Radio Version)" - 4:06
2. "The Love in Your Eyes (Album Version)" - 4:58
3. "The Love in Your Eyes (Hip Radio Version)" - 3:59
4. "The Love in Your Eyes (Classic Frankie)" - 7:03

Critical reception

In the Billboard magazine of November 19, 1994, a positive review of the single wrote "Hartman was working on a new album at the time of his death earlier this year. This was among his final compositions, and it shows that he was still among the best writers and producers in pop music. Wrapped in warm romance, [the] tune has a retro-soul quality similar to his timeless mid-'80s hit "I Can Dream about You." Perfectly suited to several radio and club formats, [the] single is an essential programming item from the upcoming "Keep the Fire Burnin'" collection."

In a January 5, 1995, review of the Keep the Fire Burnin' album, The San Diego Union Tribune described the song as "a softly soulful throwback."

In the liner notes of the booklet of the Keep the Fire Burnin' album, writer Larry Flick stated "While in the studio during 1993, he noted that "So many things have changed in terms of social and political issues, as well as the need for love and personal relationships. All of these things are the reasons why writing and recording new material is most meaningful to me." Those words resonate during the two new tunes on this retrospective, "Keep the Fire Burnin' (Duet starring Loleatta Holloway)" and "The Love in Your Eyes." The former reunites Dan with Loleatta Holloway, the diva who fronted his much-sampled classic composition "Love Sensation." That latter showcases Dan's evocative tenor range, as well as his ability to transform simple love prose into a profound statement."

Personnel