Story of Love

"Story of Love"
Single by The Desert Rose Band
from the album Pages of Life
B-side	"Darkness on the Playground"
Released	July 1990
Format	7"
Genre	Country, country rock
Length	2:32
Label	MCA/Curb
Writer(s)	Chris Hillman, Steve Hill
Producer(s)	Paul Worley, Ed Seay
The Desert Rose Band singles chronology
"In Another Lifetime" (1990) "Story of Love" (1990) "Will This Be the Day" (1991)

"Story of Love" is a song written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill, and recorded by American country rock band The Desert Rose Band.^[1] It was released in July 1990 as the third and final single from the band's album Pages of Life.^[2]

Background

As the third single release from the Pages of Life album, the single would be the band's final top 30 success on either the American Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart or the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart. "Story of Love" marked the band's eighth top ten single in America, where it peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart^[3] for a total of 12 weeks.^[4] In Canada, the song peaked at number 6 on the RPM Country Singles Chart in early November 1990.^[5][6] The single lasted for a total of 21 weeks^[7] after debuting at number 91 in early August 1990.^[8]

Later at the end of 1990, "Story of Love" was listed on the Canadian RPM "Top 100 Country Tracks of 1990" chart, at number 88.^[9]

The song was written by the band's frontman Chris Hillman and frequent collaborator Steve Hill. It was produced by both Paul Worley and Ed Seay who had produced all five of the band's albums, except for late 1991’s True Love, whilst only Worley produced the band's self-titled 1987 debut.^[10]

For the Page of Life album, Curb Records released a press release, which spoke of the song, quoting Hillman, who stated ""Story of Love" is your basic 2/4 bluegrass."^[11]

In 1997, a re-recorded version of the song was recorded by Hillman, Desert Rose Band's guitarist/backing vocalist Herb Pedersen, American guitarist Tony Rice and his brother, mandolinist Larry Rice. The song was included on the album Out of the Woodwork. The album was released under the artist name Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen and also included another Desert Rose Band track No One Else, an album track from the 1991 album True Love.^[12]

In 2009, a MP3 only karaoke version of the song was created and released by Stingray Music, which included an instrumental version as well as a demonstration version which included lead vocals. This karaoke song featured on an album of three other Desert Rose Band tracks from the Page of Life album; "In Another Lifetime", "Start All Over Again" and "Time Passes Me By".^[13] The version was re-released again in December 2011 under the artist name Done Again through Stingray Music.^[14]

Release

The single was released in America and Canada only, via Curb Records (under MCA), on 7" vinyl. The single featured the Pages of Life album track "Darkness on the Playground" as the B-Side, which was written by Hillman and frequent collaborator Steve Hill.^[15] Aside from the main 7" vinyl release, a promotional 7" vinyl single was also released, featuring "Story of Love" on both sides.^[16]

Although both 7" vinyl releases featured no artwork, the single was issued in a standard MCA Records coloured sleeve.^[17]

In release with the single, the song was also given a sheet music release.^[18]

Following the song's original release as a single and on the Pages of Life album, the song would appear on both of the band's compilations A Dozen Roses – Greatest Hits, released in 1991,^[19] and Sixteen Roses: Greatest Hits, released in 1995.^[20]

Promotion

No music video was created for the single, although the band performed the track live on Nashville Now - an American country music television talk show, presented by Ralph Emery.^[21]

Since appearing on YouTube in August 2008, the video has gained approximately 32,800 views.^[21]

Track listing

7" Single

1. "Story of Love" - 2:32
2. "Darkness on the Playground" - 4:51

7" Single (American/Canadian promo)

1. "Story of Love" - 2:32
2. "Story of Love" - 2:32

Critical reception

On March 2, 1990, the Orlando Sentinel spoke of the song in a review of the Pages of Life album, describing the song as having a "soft little hook", the same as "Start All Over Again" and "Time Passes Me By"."^[22][23]

In the February 2, 1990, issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a review of the Pages of Life album stated "...but "Story of Love" and "Desert Rose" are coming on strong after only a few listens."^[24][23]

In the September 20, 1989, issue of the Los Angeles Times, a review of the album described the song as "country-pop".^[25]

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel issue of February 3, 1991, a review of the album stated "Especially good are Hillman's statement of faith in love, "Story of Love"."^[26][23]

In a February 18, 1990, review of the Pages of Life album by the Toledo Blade, the review stated "Not all tracks are designed to test your conscience, either, because "Story of Love" and "Missing You" are country-rock gems designed for listening pleasure, not reflection."^[27]

In an issue of the Los Angeles Times from August 18, 1997, a review of a Chris Hillman live review revealed that Hillman had performed the "Story of Love" song, writing "Encompassing a mix of Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers and Desert Rose Band nuggets, including a rendering of "Story of Love," with its lesson on love's rejuvenating power."^[28][23]

Chart performance

Year-end charts

Personnel

• Chris Hillman - Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
• Herb Pedersen - Acoustic guitar, backing vocals
• John Jogenson - Lead guitar, backing vocals
• Bill Bryson - Bass guitar
• Steve Duncan - Drums
• Jay Dee Maness - Pedal steel guitar

Additional personnel

• Paul Worley - Producer
• Ed Seay - Producer
• Writers of "Story of Love" - Chris Hillman, Steve Hill
• Writers of "Darkness on the Playground" - Chris Hillman, Steve Hill

References