Change (Lisa Stansfield song)


"Change" is a song recorded by British singer Lisa Stansfield for her 1991 album, Real Love. It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. It was released as the lead single on 7 October 1991. "Change" was remixed by Frankie Knuckles and Driza Bone. Two music videos for the song were released: the European version directed by Steve Lowe and the US version directed by Stefan Würnitzer. "Change" became a hit reaching top ten in several European countries and Canada. In the United States, it peaked at number twenty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs, number twelve on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number thirteen on the Adult Contemporary Singles.
In 2003, "Change" was included on . In 2014, the remixes of "Change" were included on the deluxe 2CD + DVD re-release of Real Love and on People Hold On... The Remix Anthology.

Critical reception

The song received favorable reviews from most music critics. Bay Area Reporter wrote that Stansfield is "sounding like Donna Summer". Boston Herald said that "the husky-voiced singer purrs through a string of lushly orchestrated dance/pop love ballads" as "Change". Columbus Dispatch noted that "before Stansfield even gets around to singing on the album's first single, Change, she breathes - deeply - into her microphone to establish mood. Nearly every line in the song, in fact, is preceded by a sensuous expulsion of breath." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented that "blending elements of Jazz, Pop and Dance is an art Lisa and partners Ian Devaney and Andy Morris perfected on their debut album, and now they take us to level two. If this lead-off single is any indication, her soon-to-be-released album Real Love should cause an awful lot of excitement when it hits the street." Scott Sterling from The Michigan Daily noted the song as a "smooth, driving groove with luscious strings and mellow horns that sounds like a '90s Love Unlimited Orchestra." Daniel S. Housman from Miscellany News commented that it "seems addressed to a friend in need." Music & Media stated that on her first single in two years, Stansfield is "updating the '70s "Philly" soul sound, tastefully adding a fashionable dance beat to it." Newcastle Evening Chronicle noted that the song "marks the start of a new and exciting era in her career." Rune Slyngstad from Nordlandsposten called it "breathtaking and strolling". Sun-Sentinel said that "Change" "deals with unconditional love. The woman is telling the man that she loves him and always will despite all he's put her through. This song has a funky beat that really gets you moving."

Music video

The European music video for "Change", directed by Steve Lowe begins with a close-up of Stansfield's face against a white background as she sings the chorus. Some scenes show her walking along the feet of some giant statues. Other scenes show her standing on a balcony on top of a building at night with thunderstorms over the rooftops. She also sometimes sits on a beach. All these scenes are mixed with close-ups of the singer's face against the light background.

Track listings

European/US 7" single / Japanese CD single
  1. "Change" – 4:18
  2. "A Little More Love" – 4:28
European CD single
  1. "Change" – 4:18
  2. "Change" – 6:11
  3. "A Little More Love" – 4:28
UK CD single
  1. "Change" – 4:18
  2. "Change" – 6:11
  3. "Change" – 6:29
US CD single
  1. "Change" – 4:18
  2. "Change" – 3:55
  3. "Change" – 7:54
  4. "It's Got to Be Real" – 5:17
European 12" single
  1. "Change" – 6:11
  2. "A Little More Love" – 4:28
  3. "Change" – 6:29
UK 12" single
  1. "Change" – 6:11
  2. "Change" – 5:57
  3. "Change" – 6:29
US 12" single
  1. "Change" – 7:54
  2. "Change" – 7:31
  3. "Change" – 6:08
  4. "Change" – 4:18
UK promotional 12" single
  1. "Change" – 7:04
2006 US digital Dance Vault Mixes
  1. "Change" – 7:54
  2. "Change" – 7:31
  3. "Change" – 6:11
  4. "Change" – 4:18
  5. "Change" – 6:29
  6. "Change" – 5:57

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Canada Adult Contemporary 40
Germany 71
Netherlands 272
US Hot Dance Club Songs 35