Presenting a clip from ”I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” by The Lack of Commitments and featuring singer Mollie Angus on lead vocal.
The song is a key track from the film ‘The Commitments’ and is a big part of our UK tribute show. This ‘smouldering’ version was captured at the Crown Wharf Theatre in Stone. The song was originally a hit for Aretha Franklin in 1967 and became a classic lament to heartbreaking relationships.
Where it’s used in the movie, we hear band manager Jimmy Rabbitte explaining – soul music is about “struggle and sex” and “says it straight from the heart.” “I Never Loved a Man” embodies this philosophy, with its raw and honest lyrics about a difficult and manipulative relationship. The song is featured in a key scene showcasing the talent of the singers and highlighting the emotional depth the band is trying to achieve with their music.
In essence, the use of “I Never Loved a Man” serves to underscore the central theme of The Commitments—that authentic, working-class Dublin life is perfectly suited for the raw, honest, and powerful expression of soul music.