Underwater Love

"Underwater Love" is a song by the English band Smoke City. First released in 1995, the song did not receive recognition until its appearance in a Levi's commercial in 1997, upon which it was positively received critically and charted in 10 countries. The single peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart. Background The Brazilian-inspired track is built upon a gentle, constant guitar strum, drums and samples, some of which are rainforest noises, others are from "Bahia Soul" by Luiz Bonfá and "Mother Popcorn" by James Brown. It was written by the band's singer Nina Miranda and programmer Marc Brown, two former school friends who were admirers of 1970s funk, Santana, and Gilberto Gil. Miranda and Brown were also credited as producers together with Mike Peden and band member Chris Franck. Underwater Love was first recorded in 1994, and released in 1995 via Ritas Records, the song became a hit after being used in a commercial for Levi's jeans. Prior to this, it had been featured on the Fourth & Broadway/Island compilation "The Rebirth Of Cool Six". Lead singer Nina Miranda, who was living in Brazil at the time, was asked to return to London to discuss signing the project. Miranda and Smoke City were later based in London, but their interests were in Brazil. Miranda was proud that they had success in Portugal as that country was "in the middle of what we're about". Upon its re-release, on 31 March 1997, the song made the charts in 10 countries. Underwater Love was included on the band's debut album which was titled "Flying Away". Critical reception Neil Kulkarni from Melody Maker named "Underwater Love" Single of the Week.