"After the Love Has Gone" is a song by Steps, released as their seventh single, and the third from their second album Steptacular. The track continues the group's pop sound but has clear Asian musical influences. Claire Richards provides lead vocals.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Jon O'Brien described the song as "melancholic dance-pop". Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Evening Express stated that it "has all the trademark Steps piano bits", noting that it "does sound a bit too much" like "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart". Can't Stop the Pop said that the most distinctive element of the track is that it's "proudly dressed up as an oriental number." They also complimented its "beautiful melancholy" lyrics. Sunday Mirror commented, "Net more ABBA sound-aliking from the Steps crew. This dance routine's a bit tricky though."

Chart performance

The song spent 11 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number five. It fell out of the top 75 after nine weeks but rose back up to spend two more weeks inside the top 75.

Music video

The music video for the song was shot at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando and has Asian influences. It was directed by Cameron Casey and Simón Brand. The group wear jade-green outfits for the dance sequences, in a setting of Chinese lanterns and a dancing dragon.

Track listings

UK CD single European maxi-CD single UK cassette single and European CD single Australian CD single

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Steptacular.

A-side: "After the Love Has Gone"

Recording Vocals Personnel

B-side: "My Best Friend's Girl"

Recording Vocals Personnel

Charts