Real Love (Mary J. Blige song)

"Real Love"
Single by Mary J. Blige
from the album What's the 411?
B-side	"What's the 411?"
Released	July 28, 1992 (1992-7-28) [1]
Genre	R&B hip hop soul new jack swing
Length	4:30
Label	Uptown MCA
Songwriter(s)	Cory Rooney Mark Morales [2]
Producer(s)	Cory Rooney Mark Morales
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
"You Remind Me" (1992) "Real Love" (1992) "Reminisce" (1992)
Music video
"Real Love" at VH1.com

"Real Love" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige from her debut studio album, What's the 411? (1992). Based on real life experiences, it was written and produced by Cory Rooney and Mark Morales, and samples Audio Two's 1987 song "Top Billin'". The song was issued as the album's second single on July 28, 1992 by Uptown and MCA. It became Blige's first top-10 hit, peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic charts and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 4, 1992. Marcus Raboy directed the song's music video. Rolling Stone included "Real Love" in their list of "500 Best Songs of All Time" in 2021 at number 327. ^[3]

Background

The initial creation of "Real Love" started with Morales writing the lyrics in-studio; according to Rooney, he started singing the first few lines, and Rooney liked its hint of rap, thus prompting him to create a bridge and melody. Regarding the song's meaning, Rooney said, "Mary J. Blige is the female that’s 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." ^[4]

Critical reception

In a retrospective review, Daryl McIntosh of Albumism noted that "the sped-up baseline" of Audio Two's "Top Billin'", in the background, "provided the perfect head-nodding cadence for Blige's soulful exploration of her Mr. Right." ^[5] Stanton Swihart, from AllMusic, stated that "Real Love", and songs like it, "are and will remain timeless slices of soul even after their trendiness has worn off". ^[6] The Daily Vault's ^[7] 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." ^[8] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton felt that "it's not commercial enough to be a major hit". ^[9] Chris Roberts from Melody Maker felt that Blige "oozes out that yumsome breed of smoky pop-funk" on the track. ^[10] James Hamilton from Music Week's RM Dance Update viewed it as "En Vogue-ish". ^[11] Parry Gettelman from Orlando Sentinel felt the beat made the song "listenable enough". ^[12] Jonathan Bernstein from Spin complimented its "irresistible bounce". ^[13]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by American film and music video director Marcus Raboy. ^[14]

Impact and legacy

In 2021, Rolling Stone included "Real Love" in their list of "500 Best Songs of All Time" at number 327. ^[3] In 2022, Pitchfork ranked it at number 39 in their list of "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". ^[15] Mary J Blige's song still holds its impacts today as she's set to produce a Lifetime movie on "Real Love." ^[16]

Track listings

US cassette and 7-inch single [17] [18] "Real Love" (album version)– 4:30 "Real Love" (hip-hop version)– 4:30 US maxi-CD and maxi-cassette single [19] [20] "Real Love" (album version)– 4:30 "Real Love" (hip-hop mix)– 5:00 "Real Love" (acapella version)– 3:32 "Real Love" (hip-hop club mix)– 4:40 "Real Love" (instrumental)– 4:38 European CD single [21] "Real Love" (radio version)– 4:10 "Real Love" (album version)– 4:30 "What's the 411?" (album version)– 4:13 "Real Love" (hip-hop club mix)– 4:40 UK 7-inch single (1992) [22] "Real Love" (album version)– 4:30 "Real Love" (hip-hop mix)– 5:00 UK 12-inch and CD single (1992) [23] [24] "Real Love" (album version)– 4:30 "Real Love" (hip-hop mix)– 4:40 "Real Love" (The Fresh N' Funky mix)– 4:29 "Real Love" (The Talkin' Love mix)– 4:27

UK cassette single (1993) [25] "Real Love" (Brixton Flavour 7-inch) (Without Rap)– 3:55 "Real Love" (original UK 7-inch)– 4:10 UK CD single (1993) [26] "Real Love" (Brixton Flavour 7-inch) (Without Rap)– 3:55 "Real Love" (original UK 7-inch)– 4:10 "Real Love" (Brixton Flavour 12-inch)– 6:06 "Real Love" (Blacksmith's Summer Sound 12-inch)– 6:22 "Real Love" (West End (A.W.M.) mix)– 5:13 "Real Love" (hip-hop club mix)– 4:40 "Real Love" (acapella)– 3:40 UK 12-inch single – Version 1 (1993) [27] "Real Love" (Brixton Flavour 12-inch)– 6:06 "Real Love" (West End (A.W.M.) mix)– 5:13 "Real Love" (Blacksmith's Summer Sound 12-inch)– 6:22 "Real Love" (hip-hop club mix)– 4:40 "Real Love" (acapella)– 3:40 UK 12-inch single – Version 2 (1993) [28] "Real Love" (Phat remix)– 4:59 "Real Love" (album version)– 4:30 "I Don't Want to Do Anything" (duet with K-Ci Hailey) (album version)– 5:50 "Love No Limit" (Puff Daddy remix)– 3:57

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the What's the 411? liner notes. ^[29]

• Cory Rooney – producer
• Mark Morales – producer
• Sean Combs – executive producer
• Charlie Davis – executive producer
• Kurt Woodley – executive producer

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1992–1993) Peak position Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [30] 34 Canada Dance/Urban ( RPM ) [31] 7 Europe (European Dance Radio) [32] 17 UK Singles (OCC) [33] 26 UK Airplay ( Music Week ) [34] 17 UK Dance ( Music Week ) [35] 3 UK Club Chart ( Music Week ) [36] 21 US Billboard Hot 100 [37] 7 US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [38] 36 US Dance Singles Sales ( Billboard ) [39] 5 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [40] 1 US Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [41] 8 US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [42] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1992) Position US Billboard Hot 100 [43] 85 US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) [44] 22 US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) [45] 46 Chart (1993) Position US Billboard Hot 100 [46] 58

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [1]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	July 28, 1992	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette	Uptown MCA	[1]
United Kingdom	November 16, 1992			[47]

Toby Lightman version

"Real Love"
Single by Toby Lightman
from the album Little Things
Released	June 29, 2004 (2004-6-29) [48]
Genre	Pop rock
Length	5:26
Label	Lava
Songwriter(s)	Cory Rooney Mark Morales
Toby Lightman singles chronology
"Everyday" (2004) "Real Love" (2004) "Operator" (2004)
Music video
"Real Love" on YouTube

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 (2004). 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. ^[49]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by Charles Jensen. ^[50]

Charts

Chart (2004)	Peak position
US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) [49]	35

See also

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

References

1. "American single certifications – Mary J Blige – Real Love". Recording Industry Association of America.
2. "Real Love - Mary J. Blige - Listen, Appearances, Song Review - AllMusic". AllMusic . All Media Network . Retrieved November 13, 2014.
3. "500 Best Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . September 15, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
4. "What's the 411? Mary J. Blige's Classic Turns 20". Ebony.com. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
5. McIntosh, Daryl (July 28, 2017). "Mary J. Blige's Debut Album 'What's the 411?' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
6. Swihart, Stanton. "Mary J. Blige – What's the 411?". AllMusic . Retrieved November 9, 2020.
7. "The Daily Vault".
8. Millan, Mark (July 5, 2010). "What's The 411? – Mary J. Blige". The Daily Vault. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
9. Masterton, James (August 22, 1993). "Week Ending August 28th 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
10. Roberts, Chris (August 14, 1993). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 29. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
11. Hamilton, James (August 21, 1993). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 7. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
12. Gettelman, Parry (September 25, 1992). "Mary J. Blige". Orlando Sentinel .
13. Bernstein, Jonathan (February 1995). "Spins". Spin . p. 76. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
14. ""Real Love" by Mary J. Blige - Music Video - VH1.com". VH1 . Viacom International. January 27, 2006. Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
15. "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". Pitchfork . September 27, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
16. "Mary J. Blige Set To Executive Produce New Lifetime Movie, Inspired By Her Hit "Real Love"". Black Enterprise. 2022-03-03. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
17. Real Love (US 7" single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1992. UPTS7-54455.
18. Real Love (US cassette single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1992. UPTCS-54455.
19. Real Love (US CD single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1992. UPTDM-54456.
20. Real Love (US cassette maxi single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1992. UPTM-54456.
21. Real Love (Europe CD single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1992. MCD30057.
22. Real Love (UK 7" single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1992. MCS 1721.
23. Real Love (UK 12" single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1992. MCST 1721.
24. Real Love (UK CD single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1992. MCSTD 1721.
25. Real Love (UK cassette single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1993. MCSC 1922.
26. Real Love (UK CD single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1993. MCSTD 1922.
27. Real Love (UK 12" single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1993. MCST 1922.
28. Real Love (UK 12" single liner notes). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records. 1993. MCSX 1922.
29. Blige, Mary J. (1992). What's the 411? (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Mary J. Blige. Uptown Records.
30. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1855." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
31. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1866." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
32. "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 51/52. December 19, 1992. p. 46. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
33. "Mary J Blige: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
34. "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week . September 18, 1993. p. 30. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
35. "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . September 4, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
36. "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). August 21, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
37. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
38. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
39. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
40. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
41. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
42. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
43. Pedro. "Longbored Surfer - 1992". LongboredSurfer.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
44. "The Year in Music: Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 52. December 26, 1992. p. YE-28.
45. "The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 52. December 26, 1992. p. YE-48.
46. Pedro. "Longbored Surfer - 1993". LongboredSurfer.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
47. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . November 14, 1992. p. 25.
48. "Real Love [1 Track] - Toby Lightman - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
49. "Toby Lightman - Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
50. Garcia, Alex S. "mvdbase.com - Toby Lightman - "Real love"". Music Video DataBase. Retrieved November 17, 2014.

External links

• "Real Love" at AllMusic
• " Real Love " at Discogs (list of releases)