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Real Love (Mary J. Blige song)

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Wikipedia article


{{Infobox song

| name = Real Love

| cover = MJBRealLove.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Mary J. Blige

| album = What's the 411?

| released =

| recorded = Fall 1991

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length =

| label =

| writer =

| producer =

| prev_title = You Remind Me

| prev_year = 1992

| next_title = Check It Out

| next_year = 1992

| misc =

}}

"'Real Love'" is a 1992 song recorded by American singer Mary J. Blige for her debut studio album, 'What's the 411?' (1992). It was written and produced by Cory Rooney and Mark Morales. The song samples Audio Two's 1987 song "Top Billin'", and was issued as the album's second single on August 25, 1992. It became Blige's first top-ten hit, peaking at number seven on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100. It also reached the top on both the 'Billboard' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic charts, and was eventually certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on November 4, 1992.

'Rolling Stone' included "Real Love" in their list of "500 Best Songs of All Time" in 2021 at No. 327.

Background



The initial creation of this song started with Morales writing the lyrics in a studio. According to Rooney, he started singing the first few lines and Rooney liked its hint of rap. Rooney added a bridge and a melody. Regarding the song's meaning, Rooney said, "Mary J. Blige is the female thats from the hood that sings the pain of all of the females from the hood. At that point in her life, she was being taken advantage of by a lot of the industry cats and a song like Real Love described her situation."

Critical reception



Daryl McIntosh from Albumism noted that "the sped-up baseline" of Audio Two's "Top Billin'", "provided the perfect head-nodding cadence for Blige's soulful exploration of her Mr. Right." Stanton Swihart from AllMusic stated that songs like "Real Love" "are and will remain timeless slices of soul even after their trendiness has worn off". The Daily Vault's Mark Millan described it as an "upbeat love song that the young Blige revels in singing". He added that "it still gets a rousing response when she dusts it off during gigs." Music writer James Masterton felt that "it's not commercial enough to be a major hit." James Hamilton from 'Music Week's 'RM' Dance Update viewed it as "En Vogue-ish".

Music video



The official music video for the song was directed by American film and music video director Marcus Raboy.

Use in media



In 2020, Target used the song in a series of TV ads promoting its Black Friday Now deals.

Track listings



Credits and personnel



Credits adapted from the 'What's the 411?' liner notes.

* Cory Rooney producer

* Mark Morales producer

* Sean Combs executive producer

* Charlie Davis executive producer

* Kurt Woodley executive producer

Charts and certifications



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Certifications



Toby Lightman version



{{Infobox song

| name = Real Love

| cover = Toby Lightman - Real Love single cover.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Toby Lightman

| album = Little Things

| released =

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Pop rock

| length =

| label = Lava

| writer =

| producer =

| prev_title = Everyday

| prev_year = 2004

| next_title = Operator

| next_year = 2004

| misc =

}}

In 2004, American pop rock singer-songwriter Toby Lightman covered "Real Love" and included it as the closing track on the re-release of her debut studio album 'Little Things'. The song was issued as the third and final single from the album; and it peaked at No. 35 on the 'Billboard' top 40 chart.

Music video



The official music video for the song was directed by Charles Jensen.

Charts



See also



*List of number-one R&B singles of 1992 (U.S.)

References




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