"Always Have, Always Will" is a 1998 song by Swedish pop band Ace of Base. Heavily inspired by the Motown sound of the mid-1960s, the intro samples the intros from the Supremes track "Where Did Our Love Go" and the Four Tops track "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)". It was co-written by Jonas Berggren with Mike Chapman.

The song was released as the fourth single from Ace of Base's third album, Flowers (1998), on 7 December 1998. The song failed to chart in the band's native Sweden but entered the top 40 in several European countries, including Austria, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Critical reception Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet wrote that the song "ties ecstatic summery serpentines between classic girl-pop and glittery seventies disco"."ACE OF BASE Flowers". Aftonbladet. 12 June 1998. Quentin Harrison of Albumism described it as "classic Motown", adding that Ace of Base "showcase their expertise at branching out." AllMusic editor Bryan Buss called it a "'50s throwback". Chuck Campbell from The Daily News wrote that it "bask in an affable warmth never before divulged by the cold Swedes." An editor from Expressen commented that it "begins as" Supremes "Baby Love", "then lets go of the Motown-bass and becomes a 90s version" of Chip's Melodifestival song "Dag efter dag"."ACE OF BASE". Expressen. 12 June 1998. Gary Shipes from The Stuart News noted that the "faux Motown bounce" of the "teen-idol homage" "Donnie" and "Always Have, Always Will", "with their sterling sawing strings and crystalline melodies, are begging to be blasting out of car radios everywhere."Shipes, Gary (7 August 1998). "MAKING A CASE FOR ACE OF BASE; UN-APEELING 'AVENGERS'". The Stuart News. Retrieved 24 March 2020.

Music video The accompanying music video for the song was directed by the band members themselves. It used footage from recording sessions, concerts and appearances of the band all across the world.

Track listings

European CD single "Always Have, Always Will" – 3:47 "Mercy Mercy" – 3:38

UK CD single "Always Have, Always Will" 3:47 "Love for Sale" – 3:37 "Whenever You're Near Me" – 3:32

UK CD single 2 "Always Have, Always Will" – 3:47 "Mercy Mercy" – 3:38 "Living in Danger" (D-House mix – short version) – 4:04

Australian and German CD maxi Always Have Always Will – 3:47 Mercy Mercy – 3:38 Living in Danger (D-House mix – short version) – 4:04 Love for Sale – 3:37

Scandinavian CD maxi Always Have Always Will – 3:47 Captain Nemo – 4:01 Love for Sale – 3:37

Charts +Weekly chart performance for "Always Have, Always Will"Chart (1999)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)61Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)59Ireland (IRMA)15Poland (Music & Media)2UK Airplay (Media Monitor)14UK Singles (OCC)UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved August 8, 2011)12

Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for "Always Have, Always Will"Chart (1998)PositionEurope Border Breakers (Music & Media)14UK Singles (OCC)147

Certifications

Release history Region Date Label United Kingdom 7 December 1998 London Germany 1 March 1999 Polydor

References