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"Special Kind of Love"
Single by Dina Carroll
from the album So Close
B-side	"If I Knew You Then"
Released	28 September 1992 (1992-09-28)
Genre	House
Length	3:29
Label	A&M 1st Avenue
Songwriter(s)	David Cole Robert Clivillés
Producer(s)	Clivillés & Cole
Dina Carroll singles chronology
"Ain't No Man" (1992) "Special Kind of Love" (1992) "So Close" (1992)
Music video
"Special Kind of Love" on YouTube

"Special Kind of Love" is a song by British singer-songwriter Dina Carroll, released in September 1992 by A&M Records and 1st Avenue as the second single from her debut album, So Close (1993). The song was written and produced by American record producers, songwriters, and remixers Clivillés and Cole. Carroll was approached by them and invited to New York to become the first British artist to work with the producers. The song reached number 16 in the UK Singles Chart, number 26 in the Netherlands and number 60 in Germany.

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from music critics. Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "fun and infectious pop/dance ditty", remarking that the cut "bears a slight resemblance" to Mariah Carey's hit "Emotions", "without sounding like a carbon-copy." He also felt that Carroll "struts with the vocal prowess of a diva, while producers David Cole and Robert Clivilles dress her in sunny synths and spine-crawling beats." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote, "'So Close' gave American audiences a mere glimpse into the music and talent of Dina Carroll. This track should take her over the top." A reviewer from Lennox Herald viewed it as "classy".

Andy Beevers from Music Week complimented it as a "superb upbeat soulful house track". In a retrospective review, Pop Rescue said that the singer's vocals "really shine here on this catchy track", where "she’s supported by some great warm strings and backing vocalists." Phil Shanklin of ReviewsRevues felt that C&C's "brand of uplifting gospelesque house is an excellent match for Dina’s vocals and a great workout for the backing singers." James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update compared it to American singer CeCe Peniston. Rupert Howe from Select described the track as "reasonably sprightly". Tim Southwell from Smash Hits declared it as "superb".

Track listing

• 12-inch single, UK (1992)

1. "Special Kind of Love" (Monster club mix)
2. "Special Kind of Love" (Funky Fingers dub)
3. "Special Kind of Love" (D'apella)
4. "Special Kind of Love" (C&C radio 7-inch)
5. "Special Kind of Love" (C&C Special Love club)
6. "Special Kind of Love" (C&C Special Love dub)

• CD single, UK and Europe (1992)

1. "Special Kind of Love" (radio mix) – 3:29
2. "Special Kind of Love" (Monster club mix) – 6:46
3. "Special Kind of Love" (C & C Special Love club) – 6:50
4. "If I Knew You Then" – 4:18

Charts

Release history

References

1. Flick, Larry (29 May 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 91. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
2. Sholin, Dave (21 May 1993). "Gavin Picks: Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 50. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
3. "Dina Carroll, Special Kind of Love". Lennox Herald. 2 October 1992. page 34.
4. Beevers, Andy (26 September 1992). "Dance: Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
5. "Review: "So Close" by Dina Carroll (CD, 1993)". Pop Rescue. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
6. Shanklin, Phil (2 May 2015). "100 Essential Albums- Number 86– So Close – Dina Carroll ( A&M 1993)". ReviewsRevues. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
7. Hamilton, James (3 October 1992). "DJ Directory: Out On Monday" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 5. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
8. Howe, Rupert (1 February 1993). "Reviews: New Albums". Select. p. 69. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
9. Southwell, Tim (20 January 1993). "New Albums". Smash Hits. p. 50. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1007." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
11. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 44. 31 October 1992. p. 23. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
12. "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 46. 14 November 1992. p. 24. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
13. "Dina Carroll – Special Kind Of Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
14. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Dina Carroll" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
15. "Dina Carroll – Special Kind Of Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
16. "Dina Carroll: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
17. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 10 October 1992. p. 24. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
18. "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. 17 July 1993. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
19. "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. 4 September 1993. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
20. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 26 September 1992. p. 25.
21. "スペシャル・カインド・オブ・ラブ | ディナ・キャロル" [Special Kind of Love | Dina Carroll] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 28 November 2023.

• Dina Carroll songs
• 1992 singles
• 1992 songs
• A&M Records singles
• British house music songs
• First Avenue Records singles
• Song recordings produced by Robert Clivillés
• Songs written by David Cole (record producer)
• Songs written by Robert Clivillés