When in Love

Last updated
"When in Love"
When in Love MC Lyte single.webp
Single by MC Lyte
from the album Act Like You Know
B-side "When In Love (Instrumental)"
ReleasedAugust 22, 1991 [1]
Genre
Length5:15
Label First Priority, Atlantic Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
MC Lyte singles chronology
"Cappucino"
(1990)		"When in Love"
(1991)		"Poor Georgie"
(1991)
Music video
"When in Love" on YouTube

When in Love is the first single from MC Lyte's third album Act Like You Know. It was released on August 22, 1991. [1] Although its original version of the album is produced by Wolf & Epic, its single version includes a remix made with Carmen Rizzo. [3]

Contents

The song presents a style more oriented to the New Jack Swing sound.

In November 1991, the song peaked No. 14 on the Billboard's Hot R&B Singles, where it remained for 13 weeks, being her most successful song on that list to that date. [4] Also peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles. [5]

Conception and composition

According to Lyte in an Atlantic press release, the song is about "the stupid things people do when they're in love," [6] describing situations like "I'm talkin like pickin your lover's nose/Cooking his food and washing his clothes/And if you thought that was goin too far/What about givin him the keys to your car?" [7]

During an interview with Vibe in 2011 Lyte reflected on her music video: "When I was dancing in my video for ‘When In Love,’ I was just ready to try something different. I wasn't really concerned about any backlash. I did what I wanted to do." [8]

Samples

The original version of the album contains an interpolation of Bill Withers's "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" in his chorus. Carmen Rizzo's remix with Wolf & Epic, which was used in the music video, is built around a sample of James Brown 's "Hot (I Need to Be Loved, Loved, Loved)".

Appearances

"When in Love" was included in her compilation albums The Very Best of MC Lyte (2001), Rhyme Masters (2005), [9] and Cold Rock a Party - Best Of MC Lyte (2019). [10] Her music video was included on her compilation video album Lyte Years (1991). [11]

In the fall of 1991 she performed the song at the Pay-per-view TV concert Sisters In The Name of Rap . [12] In February 1992 Lyte performed the song on the dance and music show Soul Train.

Critical reception

Gil Griffin of The Washington Post highlighted the song in his album review for his way of approaching obsessive love. [13]

In hindsight, Damon Brown of RapReviews would criticize the song, commenting that "is too convoluted, especially when compared to Rakim’s “Mahogany” or even Ghostface Killah’s recent “Love Sessions." [14]

In the book Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture (2007), [15] the writer Jennifer R. Young would comment on the song:

"(When in Love) works as one of MC Lyte’s love anthems. Reminiscent of a piece that Aretha Franklin might have composed, an R&B soprano songstress emphasizes the word crazy in the refrain of the song. Crazy seems to serve as a euphemism for those who are strung out (or who have been strung out) on love. The song shows regular people doing regular things. Perhaps this is why Lyte has been referred to as a "Hip-Hop Zora Neale Hurston". Like Hurston, Lyte celebrates black folk for what they are while revealing the beauty and absurdity of their lives. In the widely read novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God", readers discover how the protagonist Janie endures many relationships before discovering true self-love and love for another man. Lyte’s "When in Love" challenges listeners to redirect their energy, to invest time in themselves and those who truly love them, notsimply those who find them attractive." [15]

Single track listing

12" Vinyl

A-Side

  1. "When In Love" (Remix) (5:15)
  2. "When In Love" (Acapella) (3:50)

B-Side

  1. "When In Love" (Instrumental) (4:02)

Cassette

A-Side

  • "When In Love" (Remix Edit)
  • "When In Love" (Remix)

B-Side

  • "When In Love" (Remix Edit)
  • "When In Love" (Remix)

Personnel

Credits are taken from the liner notes. [16]

Charts

Chart (1991–92)Peak
position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [17] 14
US Hot Rap Songs ( Billboard ) [18] 3

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MC Lyte</span> Hip hop artist, actor, author, activist

Lana Michele Moorer, better known by her stage name MC Lyte, is an American rapper, DJ, actress and entrepreneur. Considered one of the pioneers of female rap, Lyte first gained fame in the late 1980s, becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock. She released a total of eight solo studio albums and an EP with Almost September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Want This</span> 1994 single by Janet Jackson

"You Want This" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her fifth studio album, Janet (1993). Released as the album's seventh single in October 1994, the track was written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The single version, also used in the music video, featured an additional rap verse from MC Lyte. The song was listed in the Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era (2005) by Bruce Pollock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Positive K</span> American rapper

Positive K is an American MC and songwriter from the Bronx, New York City, New York, and one of the original artists of the First Priority Music camp. He is best known for his hits "I'm Not Havin' It" and his 1992 hit "I Got a Man".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Be Down</span> 1994 single by Brandy

"I Wanna Be Down" is the debut single by American recording artist Brandy from her self-titled debut album (1994). It was written by musicians Keith Crouch and Kipper Jones, with production helmed by the former, it was released on September 5, 1994 by the Atlantic Recording Corporation. The song is a mid-tempo track that features a thunderous beat and light synth riffs. Lyrically, "I Wanna Be Down" describes a flirt with a boy, who Norwood tries to convince of her loveliness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give It Up to Me</span> 2009 single by Shakira featuring Lil Wayne

"Give It Up to Me" is a song by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira featuring American rapper Lil Wayne, taken from the deluxe version of the former's eighth studio album She Wolf. It was released on 19 October 2009, by Epic Records as the third single from the album. The song was written by Shakira, Amanda Ghost, Dwayne Carter and Timbaland. Timbaland also served as the producer of the song. Musically, "Give It Up to Me" is a synthpop and hip hop song that incorporates sexually-suggestive lyrics. The song features uncredited vocals from Timbaland.

<i>Lyte as a Rock</i> 1988 studio album by MC Lyte

Lyte as a Rock is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist MC Lyte. It was released in May 1988, via First Priority and Atlantic Records, and featured production from Audio Two, Prince Paul, King of Chill and his group, Alliance.

<i>Eyes on This</i> 1989 studio album by MC Lyte

Eyes on This is the second studio album American hip hop recording artist MC Lyte. It was released on October 3, 1989, via First Priority and Atlantic Records, and featured production from Audio Two, as well as Grand Puba, The King of Chill, Marley Marl and PMD.

<i>Act Like You Know</i> 1991 studio album by MC Lyte

Act Like You Know is the third studio album by American hip hop recording artist MC Lyte. It was released on September 17, 1991, by First Priority Music, distributed by Atlantic Records, and featured production from Audio Two, The 45 King, Ivan "Doc" Rodriguez, The King of Chill, Pal Joey, Epic Mazur, Richard Wolf and DJ Master Tee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cha Cha Cha (song)</span> 1989 single by MC Lyte

Cha Cha Cha is the lead single from MC Lyte's second album Eyes on This. Produced by King Of Chill, who also has songwriting credits, it was released on September 8, 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Love College</span> 2009 single by Asher Roth

"I Love College" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Asher Roth, released on January 13, 2009 as his commercial debut single by Schoolboy, SRC and Universal Motown. The song, which was produced by Mike Caren, Apathy and Ben H. Allen, serves as the lead single from Roth's debut album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle. The song was later serviced for airplay to radio stations in the United Kingdom, on April 27, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyes Are the Soul</span> 1992 single by MC Lyte

"Eyes Are the Soul" is the third and final single from MC Lyte's third album Act Like You Know. Produced by Wolf & Epic, it was released on April 9, 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poor Georgie</span> 1991 single by MC Lyte

Poor Georgie is the second single from hip-hop artist MC Lyte's third album Act Like You Know (1991). The song was produced by Ivan 'Doc' Rodriguez, and released on December 12, 1991. The song seeks to convey an anti-addiction message, through the story of George and the dysfunctional relationship MC Lyte has with this individual with self-destructive behaviors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MC Lyte discography</span>

The following is the discography of MC Lyte, an American hip hop musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give It 2 You</span> 1994 single by Da Brat

"Give It 2 You" is the third and final single released from Da Brat's debut album, Funkdafied, the first album from a female rapper to go platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruffneck (song)</span> 1993 single by MC Lyte

"Ruffneck" is a hip hop song recorded by American rapper MC Lyte. It was published on May 27, 1993, as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Ain't No Other (1993). The song was produced by Aqil Davidson with Walter "Mucho" Scott, who along with Lyte have songwriting credits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paper Thin (MC Lyte song)</span> 1988 single by Mc Lyte

"Paper Thin" is the third single from MC Lyte's debut album Lyte as a Rock. It is produced by King of Chill, who along with Lyte has songwriting credits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cappucino (song)</span> 1989 single by MC Lyte

Cappucino is the third and final single from MC Lyte's album Eyes on This. It was published on August 2, 1990. In its single version it is a remix by Ivan "Doc" Rodríguez of the original version of the album produced by Marley Marl.

<i>Legend</i> (MC Lyte album) 2015 studio album by MC Lyte

Legend is the eighth album released by American rapper MC Lyte. The album was released in 2015 via Omnivore Recordings and its global entertainment firm, Sunni Gyrl, and featured production from Dominique Ludarius Cohill, Emmanuel A. Jimenez, Emmanuel Wells II, Loudbox and Olson Kenneth Wells II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyte as a Rock (song)</span> 1988 single by MC Lyte

"Lyte as a Rock" is a 1988 single from the hononym album by American rapper MC Lyte. Although in its version on the album it is produced by Audio Two, the single and the music video use a house music mix produced by King of Chill. The song was composed by Lyte With Audio Two's Milk Dee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Not Havin' It</span> 1989 single by Positive K and MC Lyte

"I'm Not Havin' It" is a song by American rappers Positive K and MC Lyte. It was included on the 1988 compilation album The First Priority Music Family: Basement Flavor and released as a single the following year. The B-side "A Good Combination", by Positive K as solo artist, is the main song in some versions of the single.

References

  1. 1 2 "MC Lyte - When in Love [Vinyl Single] (12 inch Vinyl Single - Atlantic #96294)". AllMusic.
  2. ↑ "ASCAP Repertory entry for this song". ASCAP. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Carmen Rizzo · Credits". AllMusic.
  4. ↑ "MC Lyte Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  5. ↑ "MC Lyte - US Hot Rap Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "MC, Lyte". Encyclopedia.com . Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  7. ↑ "MC Lyte – When in Love Lyrics - Genius Lyrics". Genius . Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  8. ↑ "Full Clip: MC Lyte Breaks Down Her Entire Catalogue". Vibe . September 3, 2011. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  9. ↑ "MC Lyte - Rhyme Masters". AllMusic . Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Cold Rock a Party Best Of - MC Lyte - Release Info". Apple Music.
  11. ↑ "Lyte Years - MC Lyte · Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Sisters in the Name of Rap". Entertainment Weekly. April 24, 1992. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  13. ↑ Griffin, Gil (September 27, 1991). "RAPPING NOT ONLY ABOUT OPPOSITE SEX" – via The Washington Post (website).
  14. ↑ "MC LYTE :: THE VERY BEST OF MC LYTE". RapReviews. February 1, 2002. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  15. 1 2 Hess, M. (2007). Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture. Vol. 2. Greenwood Press. p. 313. ISBN   9780313339042 . Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  16. ↑ When In Love (track listing). MC Lyte & DJ K Rock. First Priority Music, Atlantic Street. 1991. 0-96294.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ "MC Lyte Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  18. ↑ "MC Lyte Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.