"Casanova" is a song by American R&B vocal group LeVert, written and produced by Reggie Calloway. Released as a single in 1987, it reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number nine on the UK Singles Chart—LeVert's only top-40 hit on either chart. It was the first new jack swing song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, topping the chart for two weeks. It has become a standard number for New Orleans brass bands following its popularization by the Rebirth Brass Band.
Music video The official music video was directed by Jane Simpson.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1987–1988)Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1987)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM)98US Billboard Hot 10071US Hot Crossover Singles (Billboard)22
Ultimate Kaos version
British boy band Ultimate Kaos released a cover of "Casanova" as the lead single from their second album, The Kaos Theory, in February 1997. It reached the top 10 in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. On June 1, 1998, it was re-released and entered the top 20 in Australia.
Track listing CD maxi "Casanova" (7-inch mix) "Casanova" (7-inch club mix) "Casanova" (C&J R&B mix) "Who's Got the Flavour"
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1997–1998)PeakpositionDenmark (IFPI)10Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)17Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)35Spain (Top 40 Radio)15
Year-end charts Chart (1998)PositionAustralia (ARIA)65Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)30Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)26Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)53France (SNEP)45Netherlands (Single Top 100)42
Certifications
L.A.B. version
New Zealand pop-reggae band L.A.B. released a cover of the song on September 22, 2023. L.A.B.'s version was produced by band member Brad Kora. The band's vocalist Joel Shadbolt felt that their rendition was more upbeat and "hyped up" compared to their typical reggae-influenced music.
The song was released just prior to the band's October European tour, and is the second single taken from their sixth album, released in February 2024. In its first week, the song reached number 39 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, and was the second-highest performing track by a New Zealand artist that week.
Charts Chart (2024) Peakposition
Certifications
References