"The Power of Love" is a pop power ballad co-written and first recorded by American singer-songwriter Jennifer Rush in 1984. Released in December 1984 by CBS Records as the fifth single from her debut album, Jennifer Rush, the song became her breakthrough hit and later attracted notable cover versions by Air Supply, Laura Branigan, and Celine Dion.

Recorded in Germany, where Rush was based at the time, the original version was issued in West Germany in late 1984. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in October 1985, becoming the best-selling single of the year in the United Kingdom and the ninth best-selling single of the decade. (top 80 only) It also topped the charts in several other European countries, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and South Africa.

Celine Dion's 1993 recording became the most commercially successful reinterpretation, reaching number one in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and entering the top 10 in numerous other territories in 1994. The song has since been translated into multiple languages and is regarded as a modern pop standard.

Overview "The Power of Love" was first recorded in Germany by Jennifer Rush for her 1984 eponymous album. It was released as a single in West Germany in December 1984. In June 1985, "The Power of Love" was issued as a single in the United Kingdom, where, after a 16‑week climb, it reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for five weeks in October 1985 and became Britain's best-selling song of 1985. The success of the single resulted in Jennifer becoming the second best-selling singles artist in the United Kingdom of 1985 behind Madonna. According to a chart performance survey by Music Week, "The Power of Love" was the best performing single and Jennifer the best performing singles artist for the period from October to December 1985. Rush performed the song on the British music TV show Top of the Pops in late 1985. As of March 2017, it had sold 1.45 million copies in the United Kingdom.

The strong performance of "The Power of Love" in the United Kingdom was followed by widespread international success in late 1985 and early 1986, including a German re-release that reached number nine. The single eventually topped the charts in Australia, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and Spain (where Rush reached number one with a Spanish-language version titled "Si tú eres mi hombre y yo tu mujer", translated as "If you are my man and I'm your woman"). It also peaked at number three in Switzerland, Sweden, and Belgium, and at number seven in the Netherlands.

CBS initially delayed releasing "The Power of Love" in North America, considering it too European in style. It was finally issued in the United States and Canada in January 1986. Although it rose to number one in Canada, the single did not become a major US hit, peaking at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending April 5, 1986, and spending 13 weeks on the chart. Rush performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in March 1986 and on American Bandstand in April 1986.

Spanish version A Spanish re-recording titled "Si tú eres mi hombre y yo tu mujer" (meaning "If You Were My Man and I Your Lady") was released in 1986, with lyrics adapted by Luis Gómez-Escolar. The Spanish version entered the Spanish singles chart at number 16 in April 1986 while the original English version remained at number 2. It topped the Spanish singles chart for six consecutive weeks. It was also the fifth best-selling single in Spain in 1986. "Si tú eres mi hombre y yo tu mujer" was added to Spanish re-issues of the album beginning in 1986. Rush re-recorded the Spanish version in 1998 for her album Classics, and it appeared on Spanish pressings of that release. The original 1986 recording was later included on the 2007 box set Stronghold – The Collector's Hit Box.

Critical reception Michele Greppi from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution named "The Power of Love" the "best cut" on the album, praising Rush's voice and noting that her "operatic training shows in her incredible range (with no apparent loss of power or flexibility at either top or bottom)".Greppi, Michele. (February 15, 1986). "Record Reviews". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger wrote that it is "a song about how love removes your own sense of scale, makes existence itself unfamiliar, so the disorientating disconnect between it and anything resembling my emotional reality makes a sort of warped sense". He added that the chorus is "so memorable". Alan Jones from Music Week described it as "frankly superior". Stephen Holden of The New York Times remarked that Rush "has a distinctive alto that combines an almost folkish intonation with a declamatory, quasi-operatic delivery. It is a voice that doesn't fit comfortably into any category".Holden, Stephen (February 19, 1986). "In New Songs, Elvis Costello Rediscovers The Simple Way". The New York Times. Richard Defendorf of The Orlando Sentinel called it a "goopy ballad".Defendorf, Richard (February 23, 1986). "Record Jockeys". p. 8. The Orlando Sentinel. People magazine wrote that "what's most impressive is Rush's voice. Throaty, intense and wide-ranging". The reviewer also noted "intelligent passion" in the "broody" "The Power of Love".

In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue described it as a "fantastically classic power ballad" and "flawless", adding that Rush's vocals are "rich, strong, and wonderfully spine tingling". Greg Kennedy of the Red Deer Advocate described the song as "plaintive" and "poignant".Kennedy, Greg (March 8, 1986). "Album Corner". p. 4B. Red Deer Advocate. A writer for The Stage referred to it as a "superballad"."Seen At: The Sounds of the Platters". The Stage. August 6, 1987. p. 5. Australian music channel Max included "The Power of Love" in its 2011 list of the "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time".

Music video The accompanying music video for "The Power of Love" was directed by German director Michael Leckebusch. It was filmed in New York City. The video opens with early‑morning scenes of the city, followed by a group of men searching an empty office. They are discovered by Rush's partner, who appears to work night shifts. The narrative then shifts to Rush leaving Madison Square Garden before she begins singing. At home, she opens the bedroom door to find her partner asleep. When the chorus begins, Rush is shown in a freight elevator moving upward. Additional scenes depict the men coercing her partner, while other shots show Rush wearing black sunglasses on a dock, watching the group meet on a pier. They are later seen hitting her partner with a car, suggesting that Rush is trying to protect him from their influence. Near the end, she walks alone through the city at dusk, singing. The video concludes with her returning home and checking once more that her partner is asleep before closing the door. As of January 2025, the video had accumulated more than 161 million views on YouTube.

Official versions

Version Year Length Notes Ref. Original album version 1984 6:00 Special radio edit1985 4:43 First video edit 2:45 International album version 5:45 International radio edit/remix 4:28 Second video edit 4:58 Orchestral remix 6:00 Orchestral remix video edit 2:45 Si Tu Eres Mi Hombre Y Yo Tu Mujer1986 5:15 Extended remix 7:10 Classics version1998 6:07 Si Tu Eres Mi Hombre (The Power of Love) 6:07 Special edit version 2010 3:34 Hungarian version Unreleased –

Formats and track listing

Original releases European 7-inch single (1985) – CBS A 5003 "The Power of Love" (original album version) – 6:00 "I See a Shadow (Not a Fantasy)" – 4:20 European 7-inch promo (1985) – CBS PROSI 24 "The Power of Love" (special radio edit) – 4:50 "The Power of Love" (original album version) – 6:00 European 12-inch single (1985) – CBS A 12.5003 "The Power of Love" (original album version) – 6:00 "Nobody Move" – 3:12 "Into My Dreams" – 4:00 UK 7-inch single (1985) – CBS A 5003 "The Power of Love" (international album version) – 5:46 "I See a Shadow (Not a Fantasy)" – 4:20 UK 7-inch promo (1985) – CBS A 5003 "The Power of Love" (radio edit) – 4:20 "The Power of Love" (international album version) – 5:46 UK 12-inch single (1985) – CBS TX 5003 "The Power of Love" (international album version) – 5:46 "Come Give Me Your Hand" – 3:49 "I See a Shadow (Not a Fantasy)" – 4:20 Spanish 7-inch single (1986) – CBS A 5003 / US and Canada 7-inch single (1986) – Epic 34-05754 "The Power of Love" (Walter Samuel remix) – 4:20 "I See a Shadow (Not a Fantasy)" – 4:20

Re-releases European 7-inch single (1985/1986) – CBS A 5003 "The Power of Love" (orchestral remix) – 6:00 "I See a Shadow (Not a Fantasy)" – 4:20 European 12-inch single (1985/1986) – CBS A 12.5003 "The Power of Love" (orchestral remix) – 6:00 "Nobody Move" – 3:12 "Into My Dreams" – 4:00 Spanish version 7-inch single (1986) – CBS A 6975 "Si Tu Eres Mi Hombre Y Yo Tu Mujer" – 5:10 "The Power of Love" (Walter Samuel remix) – 4:20 UK 7-inch single (1986) – CBS A 5003 "The Power of Love" (Walter Samuel remix) – 4:20 "I See a Shadow (Not a Fantasy)" – 4:20 UK 12-inch single (1986) – CBS TX 5003 "The Power of Love" (Walter Samuel extended remix) – 7:10 "Come Give Me Your Hand" – 3:49 "I See a Shadow (Not a Fantasy)" – 4:20 German CD single (1995) – Colombia 661411 2 "The Power of Love" (special radio edit) – 4:50 "The Power of Love" (orchestral remix) – 6:00 "Ave Maria (Survivors of a Different Kind)" – 3:48

Charts

Weekly charts + Chart (1984–1986) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 1 Europe (Europarade Top 40) 3 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 3 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 6 Greece (IFPI) 3 Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) Search "The Power of Love" for Israeli chart history. 1 Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg) 1 Portugal (AFP) 1 South Africa (Springbok) 1 Spain (PROMUSICAE) 2 Spain (PROMUSICAE)Si Tu Eres Mi Hombre Y Yo Tu Mujer 1 UK Singles (OCC)Re-release 55 UK Disco and Dance Singles (MRIB) 3 West Germany (Gfk) 16

Year-end charts + Chart (1985) Position Australia (Kent Music Report) 23 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 45 Europe (Europarade Top 40) 32 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 70 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 49 New Zealand (RIANZ) 19 UK Singles (OCC) 1 UK Disco and Dance Singles (MRIB) 34 West Germany (Media Control) 75

+ Chart (1986) Position Australia (Kent Music Report) 47 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 14 Canada Top Singles (RPM) 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 21

Decade-end charts + Chart (1980–1989) Position UK Singles (OCC) 9

All-time charts + Chart (1952–2014) Position UK Singles (OCC) 47

Certifications and sales

Release history + Region Date Format Version Label West Germany December 10, 1984 Original LP version CBS United Kingdom May 28, 1985 7-inchInternational LP version August 1985 12-inch Japan October 1, 1985 Orchestral remix Epic October 7, 1985 CBS West Germany November 1985 Spain March 1986 United Kingdom 1 December 1986 Germany March 6, 1995 Columbia

Air Supply version

The British/Australian duo Air Supply recorded their version of "The Power of Love" for the 1985 album Air Supply. It was issued as a single in the United States in July 1985. To avoid confusion with "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News, which was charting at the same time, the title was expanded to "The Power of Love (You Are My Lady)". The single achieved moderate success in New Zealand and Canada, reaching the Top 40 in both countries in late 1985, and peaked at number 68 in the United States.

Formats and track listing 7-inch single "The Power of Love (You Are My Lady)" – 4:06 "Sunset" – 2:47

Credits and personnel Russell Hitchcock – vocals Graham Russell – background vocals

Charts + Chart (1985) Peakposition

Laura Branigan version