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“The Power of Love” is a song co-written and originally recorded by Jennifer Rush in 1984. It has been covered by several artists, most notably by Celine Dion, Laura Branigan, Helene Fischer, and Air Supply. Rush’s original version went to number one in the United Kingdom in 1985 and became the biggest-selling single of the year in that country. It was also a number one single in several other European countries, as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Dion’s version went to number one in the United States, Canada and Australia in 1994. The song has been translated into several languages, becoming a pop standard.

Death

Branigan died in her sleep at her lodge in East Quogue, New York, on August 26, 2004. The cause was attributed to a previously undiagnosed cerebral aneurysm. It was reported in the media that she had been experiencing headaches for several weeks before her death but did not seek medical attention. Her ashes were scattered over Long Island Sound.


Weekly chart
Chart (1984–86)

Peak
position
Australia (KMR)[3]

1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4]

1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5]

3
Canada (RPM)[6]

1
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[7]

1
France (SNEP)[8]

32
Germany (Official German Charts)[9]

9
Ireland (IRMA)[10]

1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[11]

7
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12]

1
Norway (VG-lista)[13]

1
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[14]

1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[15]

3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16]

3
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[17]

1
US Billboard Hot 100[18]

57
Year-end charts
Chart (1985)

Position
Australia (KMR)[3]

23
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19]

45
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20]

49
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[1]

1
Chart (1986)

Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[21]

14
Canada (RPM)[22]

1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23]

21

Decade-end charts

Chart (1980–89)

Position
Australia (KMR)[3]

28
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[1]

9

All-time charts

Chart (1952–2014)

Position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[24]

41

Certifications and sales

Region

Certification

Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[3] Platinum 70,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[25] Platinum 1,400,000[2]

^shipments figures based on certification alone
By dawg417Tags: ,

4 Replies to “Retro of the day: Laura Branigan”

  1. Did you know Laura Branigan was born in July 1952? 1957 wasn’t the right year, though it was the same year as her little brother Billy was born, February 28 to be exactly. Billy was said to be “the baby”, but suddenly it was Laura who was the baby. And Billy was big brother! It makes no sense, just because that Laura wasn’t always polite with her age. So the wrong 1957 has been a “false true” which is almost impossible to change back to 1952.

    Reply
    1. dawg417 – I am the guy people love because I am so honest, But then they get pissy when I do the same with them.
      dawg417 says:

      Nice bit of information it is always interesting to find out about family dynamics like that.
      Heck you ought to hear about mine!!!

      Reply

      1. I am sorry, but I am only interested in Laura’s wrong early days. Wikipedia, IMDb, Last.FM and other are stated Laura’s birth year to 1952. So even Byram Hills high school in Armonk where Laura attended 1966-1970. “Laura Branigan Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to a senior for excellence in the performing arts. The award is presented in memory of Laura Branigan, BHHS class of 1970, and is intended to encourage a career in the performing arts.”
        http://www.byramhills.org/files/filesystem/spectrum_july10.pdf

        Reply
  2. dawg417 – I am the guy people love because I am so honest, But then they get pissy when I do the same with them.
    dawg417 says:

    Nice info thanks, and I do not blame you for passing on mine it would be too boring…….

    Reply

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