"After the Love Has Gone" is a song by Steps, released as their seventh single, and the third from their second album Steptacular. The track continues the group's pop sound but has clear Asian musical influences. Claire Richards provides lead vocals.
Critical reception
AllMusic editor Jon O'Brien described the song as "melancholic dance-pop". Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Evening Express stated that it "has all the trademark Steps piano bits", noting that it "does sound a bit too much" like "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart". Can't Stop the Pop said that the most distinctive element of the track is that it's "proudly dressed up as an oriental number." They also complimented its "beautiful melancholy" lyrics. Sunday Mirror commented, "Net more ABBA sound-aliking from the Steps crew. This dance routine's a bit tricky though."
Chart performance
The song spent 11 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number five. It fell out of the top 75 after nine weeks but rose back up to spend two more weeks inside the top 75.
Music video
The music video for the song was shot at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando and has Asian influences. It was directed by Cameron Casey and Simón Brand. The group wear jade-green outfits for the dance sequences, in a setting of Chinese lanterns and a dancing dragon.
Track listings
UK CD single
"After the Love Has Gone" – 4:35
"After the Love Has Gone" (W.I.P. Mix) – 5:37
"My Best Friend's Girl" – 3:40
European maxi-CD single
"After the Love Has Gone" (radio mix) – 4:35
"After the Love Has Gone" (video mix) – 4:35
"After the Love Has Gone" (W.I.P. Mix) – 5:37
"My Best Friend's Girl" – 3:40
UK cassette single and European CD single
"After the Love Has Gone" – 4:35
"My Best Friend's Girl" – 3:40
Australian CD single
"After the Love Has Gone" (radio mix) – 4:35
"After the Love Has Gone" (W.I.P. Mix) – 5:37
"My Best Friend's Girl" – 3:40
"One for Sorrow" (Tony Moran's 7-inch remix) – 3:30
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Steptacular.
A-side: "After the Love Has Gone" Recording Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester, in 1999 Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester Mastered at Transformation Studios, London
Vocals
Lead vocals – Claire Richards
Background vocals – Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford-Evans, Ian "H" Watkins
Personnel
Songwriting – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Lance Ellington
Production – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman
Mixing – Tim Speight
Engineer – Dan Frampton
Drums – Chris McDonnell
Keyboards – Karl Twigg
Guitar – Mark Topham
Bass – Mark Topham
Mandolin – Erwin Keiles
B-side: "My Best Friend's Girl" Recording Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester, in 1999 Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester Mastered at Transformation Studios, London
Vocals
Lead vocals – Ian "H" Watkins
Background vocals – Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Lisa Scott-Lee, Lee Latchford-Evans