"Love and Understanding" is a song by American singer and actress Cher from her 20th studio album, Love Hurts (1991). Written by Diane Warren and produced by Warren and Guy Roche, it was released as the album's lead single in May 1991 by Geffen Records for the North American and Oceanian markets. B-side "Trail of Broken Hearts" appears on the soundtrack to the Tom Cruise film Days of Thunder and is not available on any Cher album.
Critical reception AllMusic's Joseph McCombs highlighted the song and called it "pleasantly melodic."Review by AllMusic October 15, 2013 Larry Flick from Billboard magazine described it as "a spirited pop tune that's framed with orchestral synth/strings and a hand-clapping rock beat. Simplistic lyrical message is delivered with warmth and sincerity. Sounds great on a summer day." Entertainment Weekly editor Jim Farber said it is "socially conscious in a way only Hollywood could conceive, tailor-made for one of those publicity-seeking charity functions."Review by Entertainment Weekly Retrieved October 15, 2013
Music video The single's music video showed Cher and her backing band rehearsing the song, with interlocking scenes of her in an orange colored wig and her dancers dancing around her.
Personnel Cher: Vocals Jean McClain, Myriam Valle, Laura Creamer, Diane Warren: Backing vocals Michael Landau, Josh Sklair: Guitars Guy Roche: Keyboards, synthesizers Mark T. Williams: Drums
Production Produced by Diane Warren and Guy Roche Recorded by David Thoener and Frank Wolf at A&M Recording Studios, The Music Grinder and The Complex Assistant engineers: Mario Luccy, Ken Allardyce, Julie Last, Jeff DeMorris, Fred Kelly Mixed by David Thoener
Track listings US 7-inch and cassette single "Love and Understanding" – 4:43 "Trail of Broken Hearts" – 4:30
US and European 12-inch single "Love and Understanding" (12-inch dance mix) – 5:25 "Love and Understanding" (Stringappella mix) – 4:20 "Love and Understanding" (Dub and Understanding mix) – 5:35 "Love and Understanding" (House of Love mix) – 5:45 "Love and Understanding" (Cher Some Love dub) – 4:10 "Trail of Broken Hearts" – 4:30
European 7-inch and cassette single "Love and Understanding" (edit) – 4:08 "Trail of Broken Hearts" – 4:30
European CD single "Love and Understanding" (edit) – 4:08 "Trail of Broken Hearts" – 4:30 "If I Could Turn Back Time" – 4:16
Charts
Weekly charts + 1991–1992 weekly chart performance for "Love and Understanding"Chart (1991–1992)PeakpositionCanada (The Record)16Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)18Europe (European Hit Radio)2Germany (Official German Charts)20Israel (Israeli Singles Chart)1Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)Radio Luxembourg Singles. August 4, 1991.7Quebec (ADISQ)11Spain Top 40 Radio (Promusicae)37UK Airplay (Music Week)1US Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Top 100 Singles, December 30, 198912
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for "Love and Understanding"Chart (1991)PositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)94Canada Top Singles (RPM)93Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)36Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)100Europe (European Hit Radio)6Germany (Media Control)82Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)86US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)32
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesMay 21, 1991GeffenAustraliaJuly 1, 1991United KingdomJapanJuly 21, 1991Mini-CDAustraliaAugust 26, 19917-inch vinylSeptember 2, 199112-inch vinyl
References
External links Official website of Cher