Never in a Million Years (Laura Branigan song)
| "Never in a Million Years" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Laura Branigan | ||||
| from the album Laura Branigan | ||||
| B-side | "Smoke Screen" | |||
| Released | 1990 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 4:08 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriters | Van Stephenson Dave Robbins Bob Farrell | |||
| Producer | Peter Wolf | |||
| Laura Branigan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Never in a Million Years" is a song by the American pop singer Laura Branigan, which was released in 1990 by Atlantic Records as the second single from her sixth studio album Laura Branigan. It was written by Van Stephenson, Dave Robbins and Bob Farrell, and produced by Peter Wolf.[1][2] "Never in a Million Years" was released in the United States as a cassette single and on promotional CD. It reached No. 22 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[3] There was no music video made for the song.
In 1991, American singer Vicki Shepard released her own version of the song, which Billboard described as a "bright, disco-fied rendition".[4]
Critical reception
Upon release, Billboard commented: "After a pair of dance-oriented singles, Branigan applies her acrobatic vocal style to a formulaic, but engaging, power ballad."[5] In a review of Laura Branigan, The Clarion-Ledger described the song as a "weepy ballad", adding it was a "probable successor" to Branigan's previous single "Moonlight on Water".[6] The Chicago Tribune described the song as an "understated ballad".[7] People stated: "While Branigan tends toward the histrionic, her slower-tempo tunes - especially "Never in a Million Years" - make for effective pace changers amidst all the belting."[8] Teen Ink said: "The few ballads present are disappointing, though Laura does breath life into 'Never in a Million Years'.[9]
Track listing
- Cassette single
- "Never in a Million Years" - 4:10
- "Smoke Screen" - 4:08
- CD single (US promo)
- "Never in a Million Years" - 4:08
Chart performance
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[3] | 22 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Gavin Report)[10] | 15 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)[11] | 17 |
| Quebec (ADISQ)[12] | 45 |
Personnel
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References
- ^ William Ruhlmann. "Laura Branigan - Laura Branigan | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
- ^ "Cassette Single - Laura Branigan - Never In A Million Years / Smoke Screen - Atlantic - USA - 4-87865". 45worlds.com. 2017-06-23. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
- ^ a b "Laura Branigan Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ "laura branigan never in a million years". Billboard. 1991-10-12. p. 81. Retrieved 2018-04-05 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Billboard magazine - Single reviews - August 25, 1990 - page 87
- ^ The Clarion-Ledger - Laura Branigan - April 26, 1990 - page 63
- ^ Jan DeKnock (1990-05-10). "Laura Branigan Laura Branigan (Atlantic... - tribunedigital-chicagotribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
- ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Laura Branigan". People. 1990-05-21. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
- ^ "Laura Branigan | Teen Music Review". Teen Ink. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
- ^ "the Gavin Report: Top 40". Gavin Report. No. 1833. November 16, 1990. p. 26.
- ^ "R&R AC Top 30". Radio & Records. No. 865. November 9, 1990. p. 96.
- ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. 12 January 1991. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2025.