Written by frontman Mick Hucknall, it was featured on their fifth album, Life (1996), and reached number 18 on the UK chart when released in February 1996 by EastWest.

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Simply Red continues to be one of the more reliable sources for old-school soul that is more than a retread of familiar ideas."

Topped by winding organ lines and fuzzy funk guitar licks, the song mines a groove that snugly fits between jeep youth and classic disco—with just a touch of jazz to keep you alert.

[4] A reviewer from Music & Media declared it as a "mid-tempo soulful tune",[5] while Newcastle Journal described it as a "beautiful slow ballad".

[8] The accompanying music video for "Never Never Love" features British actresses Billie Whitelaw, Rula Lenska and Stephanie Beacham.