Hit by Love

{{Short description|1994 single by CeCe Peniston}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox song | name = Hit by Love | cover = CCP HBL single.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = CeCe Peniston | album = Thought 'Ya Knew | B-side = * "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" * "Through Those Doors" * "I'm Not Over You" | released = {{start date|1994|7|25}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Single Releases|magazine=Music Week|page=29|date=July 25, 1994}}</ref> | recorded = | studio = | genre = * House-pop<ref name="flick">{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |title= Single Reviews |magazine= Billboard |date= August 27, 1994 |page= 103 |accessdate= March 20, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-08-27.pdf |author-link= Larry Flick}}</ref> * disco<ref name="flick"/> * garage<ref name="hamilton">{{cite magazine|first=James|last=Hamilton|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-07-30.pdf#page=26|title=DJ directory|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=July 30, 1994|page=6|accessdate=June 8, 2025|author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}}</ref> | length = {{duration|m=4|s=34}} (album version) | label = A&M | writer = * Steven Nikolas * Brendon Sibley * Carsten Schack * Kenneth Karlin * Cutfather | producer = * Soulshock and Karlin * David Morales (remix) | prev_title = I'm Not Over You | prev_year = 1994 | next_title = Movin' On | next_year = 1996 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|GGX3jP1u23w|"EU version"}}<br />{{YouTube|rQMVguurAa8|"US version"}}}} }}

"'''Hit by Love'''" is a song by American singer-songwriter CeCe Peniston, released in July 1994 by A&M Records as the fourth single from her second album, ''Thought 'Ya Knew'' (1994). The song was written by Steven Nikolas, Brendon Sibley, Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin and Cutfather, and produced by Schack and Karlin. It became Peniston's fifth number-one hit on the US ''Billboard'' Dance Club Play chart. Issued in Europe with "I'm Not Over You" on B-side, it peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart and number 90 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

==Critical reception== Jose F. Promis from AllMusic noted that "Hit by Love" was closer in spirit to her early dance hits, but by that time the steam had worn off and the song didn't become a hit.<ref>{{cite web|first= Jose F. |last= Promis |title= CeCe Peniston – ''Thought 'Ya Knew'' |publisher= AllMusic |date= |accessdate= November 8, 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/thought-ya-knew-mw0000620986}}</ref> Larry Flick from ''Billboard'' magazine named it her best single since "Finally" in 1991.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |title= Dance Trax: Eric Kupper On The Move; Jon Secada Finds A Groove |magazine= Billboard |date= August 6, 1994 |page= 24 |accessdate= October 10, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-08-06-N.pdf |author-link= Larry Flick}}</ref> He explained, "Surrounded by jumpy pop/house beats and sweet, disco-leaning synths, she has a field day with the song's giddy romantic tone and instantly memorable chorus. Will shine a warm, refreshing light on any station it graces, while loyal club fans will bathe in hard-hitting remixes by Junior Vasquez and David Morales."<ref name="flick"/>

Annette M. Lai from the ''Gavin Report'' named the "pop-infused" song one of the "outstanding tracks" of the ''Thought 'Ya Knew'' album, adding it as "the track I listen to over and over".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Annette M.|last=Lai|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/94/Gavin-1994-01-28.pdf|title=Gavin Picks — Albums|magazine=Gavin Report|date=January 28, 1994|page=|accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref> ''People Magazine'' described it as "jumping".<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-thought-ya-knew-vol-41-no-5/ |title= Picks and Pans Review: Thought Ya Knew |magazine= People |date= February 7, 1994 |accessdate= November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116080736/https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-thought-ya-knew-vol-41-no-5/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2020}}</ref> Tim Jeffery from ''Music Week'''s ''RM'' Dance Update opined that it is "not as catchy" as previous Peniston hits.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Tim |last= Jeffery |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-07-09.pdf |title= Hot Vinyl |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date= July 9, 1994 |page= 6 |accessdate= April 19, 2021}}</ref> Another ''RM'' editor, James Hamilton, named it a "catchy garage strider" in his weekly dance column.<ref name="hamilton"/>

==Track listings and formats== {{Unreliable sources|1=section|some=n|date=February 2023}} {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * '''Mini-CD, Japan, #PODM-1041''' # "Hit by Love" (LP Version) – 4:36 # "Hit by Love" (Classic Radio Mix) – 3:52

* '''CD, Netherlands, #580 758-2''' # "Hit by Love" (Radio Mix) – 3:25 # "I'm Not Over You" (Hip Hop Mix) – 4:35

* '''Cassette, UK, #580 692-4''' # "Hit by Love" (Radio Mix) – 3:25 # "I'm Not Over You" (Hip Hop Mix) – 4:35 # "Through Those Doors" (Alternative Mix) – 4:35

* '''12-inch, Europe, #580 693-1''' * '''12-inch, UK, #AMY 693''' # "Hit by Love" (Def Classic Mix) – 8:16 # "Hit by Love" (LP Version) – 4:36 # "Hit by Love" (Classic Dub) – 5:40 # "Hit by Love" (Def Dub) – 7:25

* '''Cassette, US, #31458 0768 4''' # "Hit by Love" (LP Version) – 4:36 # "Hit by Love" (Classic Radio Mix) – 3:52 # "Hit by Love" (Alternate Radio Mix) – 4:30 # "Hit by Love" (Down Tempo Swing Mix) – 4:01

* '''Maxi-CD, Europe, #580 759-2''' # "Hit by Love" (Radio Mix) – 3:25 # "Hit by Love" (Classic Radio Mix) – 3:52 # "Hit by Love" (Def Classic Mix) – 8:16 # "Hit by Love" (The Body) – 6:55 {{col-2}} * '''Maxi-CD, US, #31458 0769 2''' # "Hit by Love" (Classic Radio Mix) – 3:52 # "Hit by Love" (Alternate 7" Mix) – 4:33 # "Hit by Love" (D-Max Dub) – 6:45 # "Hit by Love" (LP Edit) – 4:10 # "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" (West End Remix) – 5:56

* '''12-inch, US, #31458 0765 1''' # "Hit by Love" (Alternate 12" Mix) – 7:40 # "Hit by Love" (D-Max Dub) – 6:45 # "Hit by Love" (Classic Dub) – 5:40 # "Hit by Love" (Def Classic Mix) – 8:16 # "Hit by Love" (Def Dub) – 7:25 # "Hit by Love" (LP Version) – 4:36

* '''Maxi-CD, UK, #AMCD 693''' * '''CD, UK, #580 693-2''' # "Hit by Love" (Radio Mix) – 3:25 # "Hit by Love" (Classic Radio Mix) – 3:52 # "Hit by Love" (Def Classic Mix) – 8:16 # "Hit by Love" (The Body) – 6:55 # "Hit by Love" (Def Dub) – 7:25 # "Hit by Love" (Classic Dub) – 5:40

* '''12-inch double A-side, Europe, #580 723-1''' * '''12-inch double A-side, UK, #AMY 723/580 723-1''' # "Hit by Love" (The Body) – 6:55 # "I'm Not Over You" (Jamie's Under the Swing Mix) – 6:56 # "I'm Not Over You" (Junior's Factory Mix) – 9:30 {{col-end}}

==Credits and personnel== * CeCe Peniston – lead/back vocal, executive producer * Steven Nikolas – writer, vocal arrangement * Brendon Sibley – writer, vocal arrangement * Carsten Schack – writer, producer, mix * Kenneth Karlin – writer, producer, mix * Cutfather – writer * David Morales – remix, additional producer * Mads Nilson – mix * Doug Michael – engineer * David Sussman – engineer * Manny Lehman – executive producer * Damon Jones – executive producer * David Collins – mastering * Patricia Sullivan – mastering * Studio 56 – studio * Medley Studio, Copenhagen – mix * A&M Mastering Studios – mastering * Steven and Brendon Songs/Casadida Publishing (ASCAP) – publisher * EMI Virgin Music – admin, publisher

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable" !Chart (1994) !Peak<br />position |- |UK Singles (OCC)<ref>For peak positions of "Hit By Love" single in UK, choose the singles link, or the OfficialCharts link to view full run of the single in England. *{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/ce%20ce%20peniston|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121204183018/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/ce%20ce%20peniston|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 4, 2012|title=CeCe Peniston - Singles - UK|quote=#33|work=The Official Charts Company|at=theofficialcharts.com|publisher=Music Week|accessdate=March 19, 2011}} *{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Hit%20By%20Love|title=CeCe Peniston - "Hit By Love" - UK|quote=#33|date=August 6, 1994|work=Official Charts Company|at=officialcharts.com|accessdate=March 19, 2011}}</ref> |align="center"|33 |- |UK Dance (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19940731/104/ |title= Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 |magazine= Music Week |accessdate= April 18, 2022}}</ref> |align="center"|5 |- |UK Dance (''Music Week'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-08-06.pdf |title= Dance Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= August 6, 1994 |page= 22 |accessdate= April 26, 2021}}</ref> |align="center"|5 |- |UK Club Chart (''Music Week'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-07-23.pdf|title=The ''RM'' Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=July 23, 1994|page=6|accessdate=May 18, 2023}}</ref> |align="center"|12 |- |US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref name="US">For peak positions of "Hit By Love" in the US, use the general links, and/or, in order to view there not-listed top positions, respectively additional information such as peak date(s) and/or weeks spent on chart(s), you will have to subscribe to billboard.biz website to vie also the specific billboard.biz links. *{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018632|title=CeCe Peniston - "Hit By Love" - The Billboard Hot 100|date=November 12, 1994|quote=#90|magazine=Billboard|at=billboard.biz|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|accessdate=March 20, 2011|archive-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005162517/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018632|url-status=dead}} *{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018371|title=CeCe Peniston - "Hit By Love" - Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles|date=October 29, 1994|quote=#4|magazine=Billboard|at=billboard.biz|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|accessdate=March 20, 2011|archive-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005162451/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018371|url-status=dead}} *{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018364|title=CeCe Peniston - "Hit By Love" - Hot Dance Club Play|date=October 15, 1994|quote=#1|magazine=Billboard|at=billboard.biz|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|accessdate=March 20, 2011|archive-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005162523/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018364|url-status=dead}} *{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018116|title=CeCe Peniston - "Hit By Love" - Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales|date=September 17, 1994|quote=#17|magazine=Billboard|at=billboard.biz|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|accessdate=March 20, 2011|archive-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005162534/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018116|url-status=dead}} *{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018424|title=CeCe Peniston - "Hit By Love" - Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles|date=October 1, 1994|quote=#2|magazine=Billboard|at=billboard.biz|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|accessdate=March 20, 2011|archive-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005162547/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018424|url-status=dead}} *{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018600|title=CeCe Peniston - "Hit By Love" - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|date=November 12, 1994|quote=#47|magazine=Billboard|at=billboard.biz|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|accessdate=March 20, 2011|archive-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005162553/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018600|url-status=dead}} *{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018664|title=CeCe Peniston - "Hit By Love" - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay|date=November 12, 1994|quote=#48|magazine=Billboard|at=billboard.biz|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|accessdate=March 20, 2011|archive-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005162621/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3018664|url-status=dead}}</ref> |align="center"|90 |- |US Dance Club Songs (''Billboard'')<ref name="US"/> |align="center"|1 |- {{single chart|Billboarddancesales|17|artist=CeCe Peniston|access-date=March 15, 2023}} |- |US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (''Billboard'')<ref name="US"/> |align="center"|47 |- |US ''Cash Box'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cashboxmagazine.com/archives/90s_files/19941203.html|title=CeCe Peniston - "Hit By Love" - US ''Cashbox''|date=December 3, 1994|quote=#78|work=Cashbox|at=cashboxmagazine.com|publisher=Cashbox Magazine|accessdate=March 20, 2011}}</ref> |align="center"|78 |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable" !Chart (1994) !Position |- |US Dance Club Play (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA48|title=The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Club Play Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=106|issue=52|page=YE-74|date=December 24, 1994|access-date=April 1, 2025}}</ref> |align="center"|24 |} {{col-end}}

==References== {{Reflist}} {{Refbegin}} * {{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=ce ce peniston|chart=all}}|title=CeCe Peniston - Chart History|magazine=Billboard|at=billboard.com|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|accessdate=March 19, 2011}} * {{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=ce-ce-peniston-p13924/discography/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}}|title= CeCe Peniston - Discography - Charts & Awards|work=Allmusic|at=allmusic.com|publisher=Rovi Corporation|accessdate=March 19, 2011}} {{Refend}}

==External links== * {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p13924|label=CeCe Peniston}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hit By Love}} Category:1994 singles Category:1994 songs Category:1997 singles Category:A&M Records singles Category:CeCe Peniston songs Category:Song recordings produced by Soulshock and Karlin Category:Songs written by Cutfather Category:Songs written by Kenneth Karlin Category:Songs written by Soulshock