"A Deeper Love" is a 1991 single written by Robert Clivillés and David Cole, and performed by Clivillés & Cole, featuring vocals by Deborah Cooper and Paul Pesco. The song was the duo's fifth number one on the US dance chart. On other US charts, "A Deeper Love" peaked at number 83 on the soul singles chart and number 44 on the pop chart. Overseas, especially in Europe the single charted higher, going to number 15 in the UK and number 8 on the Dutch Top 40. Originally, Clivilles & Cole released an LP-single A-side that had their version of U2's "Pride " which peaked at number 6 on the US dance chart as well as peaking at number 54 on the Hot 100.
Critical reception
Cash Box wrote, "This single is your basic "house, club-styled" cut that will easily find its way into the club scene after the buzz starts. The "Radio Edit Remix" has a lot more sounds in it, and would be preferred for radio play." Music & Media commented in their review that C & C Music Factory "do what the Pet Shop Boys did before them-adapt a song of world's leading rock band U2 and take it to the dance floor. The gospel-framed arrangement makes their version particularly interesting." In 2004, Slant Magazine ranked the song number 5 in their list of "The 100 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time". In 2020, the magazine placed it at number 16 in their list of "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time".
Music video
The video for these songs was actually one long featurette, beginning with "Deeper Love" and then continuing into "Pride " halfway through the video. The video was labelled "Pride ".
In 1994, Aretha Franklin covered "A Deeper Love" which featured a backing vocal by Lisa Fischer; this version was also produced by Clivillés & Cole and was later released on January 31, 1994 by Arista Records as the lead single of her Greatest Hits collection. The Aretha Franklin version also went to number one on the US dance charts for two weeks. On other US charts, "A Deeper Love" went to #30 on the soul singles chart and #63 on the Hot 100 as well as being featured in a special remix played over the end credits to .
Critical reception
from Billboard wrote that the "massive 1992 club hit for Clivillés & Cole gets a dynamic, melodramatic reading from the Queen of Soul. Gospel-soaked track appears on the soundtrack to "", as well as on the Queen's forthcoming greatest hits package. The album version sticks fairly close in style to the original record, with myriad remixes traveling down a variety of more current, trend-conscious roads. C & C deliver an abundance of slammin' sounds that are over-the-top enough to keep up with La Franklin's vocal." Alexis Petridis from The Guardian noted the song as a "great excursion into house music", adding that "picking up on the religious undercurrent of the lyrics, she shifts from scat singing to fervent gospel sermonising". Music & Media commented, "What would good old Jerry Wexler think of this? The Queen of the Atlantic soul now offers her services to C&C's dance hit factory. NOS/Hilversum DJ/producer Tom Blomberg is continually struck by Aretha's incredible gospel-esque vocals. 'That dance groove is still very acceptable for radio. Besides, it's no longer 1967, technique has developed since then, so why wouldn't she benefit from that?' " The Network Forty noted that a "soulful uptempo Dance tune brings this legendary Hall of Famer back onto the scene. Belting familiar vocals over '90s Funk characterizes the Queen of Soul's latest gem. Pumping out hits for more than 30 years, Aretha waves her magical wand again with a brilliant rendition that transcends any format restrictions. Taking the best of what we remember her for, then adding a little more spice than in recent projects, this track targets all demos."
Impact and Legacy
Fact put "A Deeper Love" at number 5 in their list of 21 diva-house belters that still sound incredible in 2014.
and Anastacia sampled the Aretha Franklin version of "A Deeper Love" to use the chorus in their song. The song was featured in commercials for Škoda Auto. Anastacia later released a solo version during the summer of 2012.
Music video
The music video premiered on Tiësto's official YouTube Channel on January 20, 2012.
Track listing
;Digital download
"What Can We Do " - 3:48
"What Can We Do " - 6:26
"What Can We Do " - 5:56
;Digital download / Anastacia's 2012 solo pop version
"What Can We Do " - 3:26
Other cover versions
In 2015 house producer Jauz released a remake of the song. With no additional vocals, just a change of genre.
In 2017, Riton, MNEK, & The covered the chorus in their track "Deeper."
In 2018, Berlin based producer and composer Tinush used Aretha's vocal samples to produce his version "Struggle".
