Hit by Love


"Hit by Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter CeCe Peniston, released in July 1994 by A&M Records as the fourth single from her second album, Thought 'Ya Knew. The song was written by Steven Nikolas, Brendon Sibley, Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin and Cutfather, and produced by Schack and Karlin. It became Peniston's fifth number-one hit on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart. Issued in Europe with "I'm Not Over You" on B-side, it peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart and number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Critical reception

Jose F. Promis from AllMusic noted that "Hit by Love" was closer in spirit to her early dance hits, but by that time the steam had worn off and the song didn't become a hit. Larry Flick from Billboard magazine named it her best single since "Finally" in 1991. He explained, "Surrounded by jumpy pop/house beats and sweet, disco-leaning synths, she has a field day with the song's giddy romantic tone and instantly memorable chorus. Will shine a warm, refreshing light on any station it graces, while loyal club fans will bathe in hard-hitting remixes by Junior Vasquez and David Morales."
Annette M. Lai from the Gavin Report named the "pop-infused" song one of the "outstanding tracks" of the Thought 'Ya Knew album, adding it as "the track I listen to over and over". People Magazine described it as "jumping". Tim Jeffery from Music Week's RM Dance Update opined that it is "not as catchy" as previous Peniston hits. Another RM editor, James Hamilton, named it a "catchy garage strider" in his weekly dance column.

Track listings and formats

  • Mini-CD, Japan, #PODM-1041
  1. "Hit by Love" - 4:36
  2. "Hit by Love" - 3:52
  • CD, Netherlands, #580 758-2
  1. "Hit by Love" - 3:25
  2. "I'm Not Over You" - 4:35
  • Cassette, UK, #580 692-4
  1. "Hit by Love" - 3:25
  2. "I'm Not Over You" - 4:35
  3. "Through Those Doors" - 4:35
  • 12-inch, Europe, #580 693-1
  • 12-inch, UK, #AMY 693
  1. "Hit by Love" - 8:16
  2. "Hit by Love" - 4:36
  3. "Hit by Love" - 5:40
  4. "Hit by Love" - 7:25
  • Cassette, US, #31458 0768 4
  1. "Hit by Love" - 4:36
  2. "Hit by Love" - 3:52
  3. "Hit by Love" - 4:30
  4. "Hit by Love" - 4:01
  • Maxi-CD, Europe, #580 759-2
  1. "Hit by Love" - 3:25
  2. "Hit by Love" - 3:52
  3. "Hit by Love" - 8:16
  4. "Hit by Love" - 6:55
  • Maxi-CD, US, #31458 0769 2
  1. "Hit by Love" - 3:52
  2. "Hit by Love" - 4:33
  3. "Hit by Love" - 6:45
  4. "Hit by Love" - 4:10
  5. "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" - 5:56
  • 12-inch, US, #31458 0765 1
  1. "Hit by Love" - 7:40
  2. "Hit by Love" - 6:45
  3. "Hit by Love" - 5:40
  4. "Hit by Love" - 8:16
  5. "Hit by Love" - 7:25
  6. "Hit by Love" - 4:36
  • Maxi-CD, UK, #AMCD 693
  • CD, UK, #580 693-2
  1. "Hit by Love" - 3:25
  2. "Hit by Love" - 3:52
  3. "Hit by Love" - 8:16
  4. "Hit by Love" - 6:55
  5. "Hit by Love" - 7:25
  6. "Hit by Love" - 5:40
  • 12-inch double A-side, Europe, #580 723-1
  • 12-inch double A-side, UK, #AMY 723/580 723-1
  1. "Hit by Love" - 6:55
  2. "I'm Not Over You" - 6:56
  3. "I'm Not Over You" - 9:30

    Credits and personnel

Weekly charts

Year-end charts