You'll Never Stop Me Loving You

In a 1990 interview, Sonia told about how she met the producer, "The whole thing is quite like a dream to me. Pete [Waterman, of Stock Aitken Waterman] was doing this radio road show in Liverpool, and I thought to myself, 'Oh this is a chance I can't miss!' So I went along to try and sing to him." Gaining Waterman's attention was not easy, but once she did, the producer added her to PWL's Coca-Cola Hitman Roadshow, a tour of England featuring the label's up-and-coming artists.[1] Contrary to music industry myth, the song was not written to fit Sonia's personality, with Mike Stock stating that the track was actually refined from pre-existing ideas that were likely originally intended for Kylie Minogue's Enjoy Yourself album.[2]

In the United Kingdom, PWL and Chrysalis Records released the song on 12 June 1989 as a 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl single.[3] Three weeks later, on 3 July, a cassette single was issued.[4]

"You'll Never Stop Me Loving You" debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 55 on 24 June 1989.[5] It peaked at number one three weeks later, becoming Sonia's only number-one single there.[5] The single stayed on the chart for 13 weeks.[5] In Ireland, the song peaked at number one and charted for eight weeks.[6] It also peaked within the top 10 in Greece and Norway, and was a top-20 hit in Belgium, Spain, and West Germany.

In Australia, the single entered the ARIA Singles Chart at number 160 in August 1989, reaching a peak of number 29 in October 1989 and charting for 17 weeks.[7][8] In the United States, "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart in April 1990.[9] It also peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 12-inch Singles Sales chart the same month.[10]

Bill Coleman from Billboard wrote, "Successful European track will entice American jocks hankering for bubbly pop/NRG with "French Kiss" twist. Already showing early signs of widespread radio crossover."[11] Pan-European magazine Music & Media found that "the SAW backing sounds like most of the other work they have done but at least Sonia has a good voice."[12] Richard Lowe from Smash Hits felt the single "was probably the best all year."[13]

The track has developed a tongue-in-cheek reputation as a "stalker anthem", due to its lyrical themes of unrequited romantic obsession and a refusal to take no for answer.[2] Composer Mike Stock says that while the lyrics sparked some alarm from female backing vocalists during composition and recording, he feels that Sonia's innocent teenage delivery defuses any sinister interpretation.[2]

British magazine Classic Pop ranked "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You" number 27 on their list of the "Top 40 Stock Aitken Waterman songs" in 2021. They wrote, "18-year-old Sonia Evans was a complete unknown when she approached Pete Waterman for a break in the biz, and luckily SAW, er, saw potential in the effervescent, ginger-haired scouser. Despite slightly stalkerish lyrics – 'When I know that you're alone, I wander to your home and catch a glimpse or two' – it rocketed up the charts. Some thought it was Kylie, which might have helped its rise to the top of the UK hit parade. It was SAW's final No.1... mind you, that year they racked up seven."[14]

Credits are taken from the UK 7-inch single liner notes.[15]

Studio

• Recorded at PWL Recording Studios 1 and 4 (London, England)

Personnel

• The song was covered as a hi-NRG/eurodance song by singer Belle Lawrence for the compilation album, Almighty Presents Handbag Heaven: Let This Feeling.
• In 1991, Hong Kong singer Stephanie Lai covered the song in Cantonese.
• In 2004, Italian artists Nuage covered the song on their album Sunday, which was only released in Japan.
• Denise Van Outen performed the song in her one women show "Some Girl I Used to Know".
• In 2006, Australian pop group Young Divas covered the song on their self-titled debut album.[35]