The Game of Love (Santana song)

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"The Game of Love"
Single by Santana featuring Michelle Branch
from the album Shaman and Hotel Paper (international version)
B-side
  • "Come to My World"
  • "Curacion"
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2002 (2002-09-23)
Length4:18
Label
Songwriters
Producers
Santana singles chronology
"Primavera"
(2001)		 "The Game of Love"
(2002)		 "Nothing at All"
(2003)
Michelle Branch singles chronology
"Goodbye to You"
(2002)		 "The Game of Love"
(2002)		 "Are You Happy Now?"
(2003)

"The Game of Love" is a song by American rock band Santana from their 19th studio album, Shaman (2002). The vocal performance on the song is by Michelle Branch. It was composed by Gregg Alexander (as Alex Ander) and Rick Nowels. The song was released as a single on September 23, 2002, and won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.[1] Commercially, "The Game of Love" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, becoming that ranking's most successful track of 2003. The song additionally reached the top 10 in Canada, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, and seven European countries.

Background

The song had originally been recorded with New Radicals frontman Gregg Alexander, but album producer Clive Davis felt a female voice would maximize the song's appeal and a recording of Santana performing "The Game of Love" with Tina Turner as vocalist was completed. When Turner declined to participate in making a video for the track, Davis recruited Macy Gray to record a replacement vocal. When Davis was not satisfied with that version, Michelle Branch was asked to record the song,[2] with Branch's rhythm guitar playing also added to the track. Branch said, "It was the first time for me to sing somebody else's song. Usually I'm like: 'Oh I want it this way' and I'm in charge...I didn't meet [Carlos Santana at the recording session], I didn't know what was going on...It felt to me like wow it seems like there's so much at stake, I'm going to go in there and just sing my heart out and just cross my fingers."[3]

The Tina Turner version of "The Game of Love" was issued on the 2007 retrospective Ultimate Santana. Santana said "There's only one Tina Turner...No one can hit a note like Tina Turner...I love Michelle [Branch] and she did a great interpretation of it. It's just that with all honor and respect to Michelle, there's the girl and there's the woman, and Michelle is unfolding into a woman...but it takes time to go from a girl into a woman."[4] In 2026, as part of Branch's Everywhere and Back Again EP celebrating her 25-year music career, she released a duet version of the song with Alexander.[5]

Chart performance

"The Game of Love" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the week ending November 30, 2002. The song stayed on the charts for 37 weeks. The song became Santana's fifth top-10 hit and Branch's second top-10 hit, as well as her highest-peaking single.[6]

Music video

The music video depicts Santana and Branch in an alley with couples around them, each expressing their love for one another. It was directed by Paul Fedor and filmed in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.

Track listings

US CD single[7]

  1. "The Game of Love" (radio mix) – 4:18
  2. "The Game of Love" (instrumental) – 4:18

European CD and cassette single[8][9]

  1. "The Game of Love" (radio mix) – 4:18
  2. "Come to My World" – 4:11

European and Australian maxi-CD single[10]

  1. "The Game of Love" (radio mix) – 4:18
  2. "Come to My World" – 4:11
  3. "Curacion" – 4:47
  4. "The Game of Love" (video)

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the European CD single liner notes.[8]

Studios

Personnel

  • Alex Ander – writing, production
  • Rick Nowels – writing, background vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, production
  • Carlos Santana – lead guitar, horn arrangements, album production
  • Michelle Branch – lead vocals, background vocals
  • Andy Vargas – additional vocals
  • Tony Lindsay – additional vocals
  • Niki Haris – background vocals
  • Siedah Garrett – background vocals
  • Rusty Anderson – additional electric guitar
  • Chester Thompson – piano, organ
  • Benny Rietveld – bass
  • Brian Collier – drums
  • Wayne Rodrigues – drum programming
  • Raul Rekow – congas
  • Karl Perazzo – percussion
  • Louis Conte – additional percussion
  • Bill Ortiz – trumpet, horn arrangements
  • Julius Melendez – trumpet
  • Jeff Cressman – trombone, horn arrangements
  • Martin Wehner – trombone
  • Ben Conrad – engineering
  • Chris Garcia – engineering
  • Randy Wine – engineering
  • Greg Collins – engineering
  • Michael Rosen – engineering
  • Scott Holderby – engineering
  • Eddie Kramer – engineering
  • Tone – engineering
  • Kieron Menzies – engineering assistance
  • Alan Veucosovic – engineering assistance
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing
  • Kirstin Johnson – project coordination for Ander and Nowels
  • Robert Cappadona – project coordination for Ander and Nowels
  • Clive Davis – album production
  • Antonio "LA" Reid – executive production

Charts

Weekly charts

Original version

Weekly chart performance for "The Game of Love"
Chart (2002–2003) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[11] 21
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12] 51
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[13] 2
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[14] 5
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[15] 4
Croatia (HRT)[16] 9
Czech Republic (IFPI CR)[17] 7
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[18] 37
Germany (GfK)[19] 46
Greece (IFPI)[20] 10
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[21] 8
Hungary (Single Top 40)[22] 9
Ireland (IRMA)[23] 19
Italy (FIMI)[24] 11
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[25] 23
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[26] 40
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[27] 7
Nicaragua (Notimex)[28] 4
Norway (VG-lista)[29] 17
Panama (Notimex)[30] 5
Portugal (AFP)[31] 4
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[32] 7
Scottish Singles Sales (Official Charts)[33] 12
Spain (Promusicae)[34] 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[35] 54
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 20
UK Singles (Official Charts)[37] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 5
US Adult Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[38] 16
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[39] 1
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[40] 1
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[41] 5

2026 version with New Radicals

Weekly chart performance for the 2026 version of "The Game of Love"
Chart (2026) Peak
position
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[42] 12

Year-end charts

2002 year-end chart performance for "The Game of Love"
Chart (2002) Position
Brazil (Crowley)[43] 54
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[44] 78
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[45] 39
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[46] 48
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 75
2003 year-end chart performance for "The Game of Love"
Chart (2003) Position
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[48] 83
US Billboard Hot 100[49] 27
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[50] 1
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[50] 8
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[51] 52

Certifications

Certifications for "The Game of Love"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[52] Gold 15,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "The Game of Love"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 23, 2002 Arista [53]
Australia November 11, 2002 CD
[54]
United Kingdom [55]

Michelle Branch and New Radicals version

"The Game of Love"
Single by Michelle Branch featuring New Radicals
from the album Everywhere and Back Again
Released2026 (2026)
Length4:07
Songwriters
Michelle Branch singles chronology
"Not My Lover"
(2022)		 "The Game of Love"
(2026)
New Radicals singles chronology
"One Night Only (Break Loose Break Free!)"
(2026)		 "The Game of Love"
(2026)

In 2026, Michelle Branch recorded a new version of the song with the song's writer and original vocalist, Gregg Alexander[56], with Gregg Alexander being credited as "New Radicals". The single was released as part of her "Everywhere and Back Again EP", which celebrates Branch's 25 years in the music industry.

Composition

The song deviates from the opening found in the original Santana version and borrows the opening from New Radicals own 1998 composition You Get What You Give by including a "1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4" chant as well as similar instrumentation before Gregg Alexander starts singing. The song also deviates from the Santana version by turning it into a vocal duet with both Alexander and Branch sharing lead vocals.

See also

References

  1. "2003 Grammy Award Winners". The New York Times. February 25, 2003. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  2. Reuter, Annie (November 5, 2009). "A Night With Clive Davis". You Sing, I Write.
  3. "Santana, Branch shine". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 20, 2002. p. A2. Retrieved September 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (July 23, 2007). "Carlos Santana's new greatest-hits disc features his 'lost' duet with Tina Turner / Santana Releases Duet With Tina Turner". Associated Press. Factiva APRS000020070723e37n006y4 (7; tagentfiler | selgmus- | cate; AP: Entertainment | Entertainment | Music Carlos Santana | D8QIJQ9G0), APRS000020070723e37n0073m (7; tagpf0wcat | sel----- | cati; International | NA A&E MUS US Carlos Santana | D8QIFOT82). NewsBank 11AE19B3CBA4AEB0, 1415D06538575318. Syndicated as e.g.: "Santana's new greatest-hits CD will feature his lost duet with Tina Turner". M3: Music, Movies, & More. The Victoria Advocate. Texas. August 3, 2007. p. M3. NewsBank 11AD08F7F1A6C508. Newspapers.com 435436660.
  5. Breihan, Tom (July 15, 2026). "Michelle Branch Re-Recorded Her Hit Santana Collab with Its Original Vocalist, New Radicals' Gregg Alexander". Stereogum. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  6. "Santana Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  7. The Game of Love (US CD single liner notes). Arista Records. 2002. 07822-15203-2.
  8. The Game of Love (European CD single liner notes). Arista Records, BMG. 2002. 74321959432.
  9. The Game of Love (European cassette single sleeve). Arista Records, BMG. 2002. 74321 959444.
  10. The Game of Love (European & Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). Arista Records, BMG. 2002. 74321959442.
  11. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  12. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  13. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  14. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love" (in French). Ultratip.
  15. "Santana Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  16. "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on December 3, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  17. "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden 4/2003" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on February 1, 2003. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
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  19. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name.
  20. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 47. November 16, 2002. p. 11. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  21. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  22. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  23. "The Game of Love | IRMA". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  24. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love". Top Digital Download. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  25. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 45, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  26. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  27. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  28. "t.A.t.U domina" (in Spanish). El Siglo de Torreón. December 16, 2002. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  29. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love". VG-lista. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  30. "t.A.t.U domina" (in Spanish). El Siglo de Torreón. December 16, 2002. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  31. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 49. November 30, 2002. p. 13. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  32. "Arhiva romanian top 100 Editia 4, saptamina 3.02–9.02, 2003" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on December 28, 2004. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  33. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 23/11/2002 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  34. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love". Canciones Top 50. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
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  36. "Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game of Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  37. "Official Singles Chart on 23/11/2002 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  38. "Santana Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
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  40. "Santana Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  41. "Santana Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  42. "Michelle Branch Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
  43. "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2002". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  44. "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  45. "Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 16.
  46. "Most-Played AC Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 19.
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  48. "Topul anului 2003" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  49. "Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-30. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  50. "Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-80. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
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  52. "New Zealand single certifications – Santana feat. Michelle Branch – The Game Of Love". Radioscope. Retrieved December 19, 2024. Type The Game Of Love in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  53. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1471. September 20, 2002. p. 33. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
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  55. "New Releases – For Week Starting 11 November 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 9, 2002. p. 25. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  56. "Michelle Branch Re-Recorded "Game Of Love" With New Radicals". Stereogum.com. July 15, 2026. Retrieved October 5, 2026.