The Best Things in Life Are Free

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For the 1927 song, see The Best Things in Life Are Free (1927 song).

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For the 1956 film, see The Best Things in Life Are Free (film).

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"The Best Things in Life Are Free"
File:Thebestthingsinlifearefreesinglecover.jpg
Single by Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson With Special Guests Bell Biv DeVoe & Ralph Tresvant
from the album Mo' Money soundtrack
B-side DMC Megamix (10:52)
1995 re-issue
Released May 12, 1992 (U.S.)
July 20, 1992 (UK)
December 6, 1995 (European/Australian re-release)
Format 7" single
Recorded February–March 1992
Flyte Tyme Studios
(Edina, MN)
Aire L.A. Studios
(Glendale, CA)
The Record Plant
(Hollywood, CA)
Genre Dance-pop, house, R&B
Length 4:36
Label Perspective, A&M
Writer(s) Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Harry Wayne Casey, Richard Finch
Producer(s) Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Luther Vandross chronology
"Sometimes It's Only Love"
(1992)		 "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
(1992)		 "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)"
(1993)
Janet Jackson chronology
"State of the World"
(1991)		 "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
(1992)		 "That's the Way Love Goes"
(1993)
Bell Biv DeVoe chronology
"Word to the Mutha!"
(1991)		 "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
(1992)		 "Gangsta"
(1993)
Ralph Tresvant chronology
"Money Can't Buy You Love"
(1992)		 "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
(1992)		 "Who's the Mack"
(1994)

"The Best Things in Life Are Free" is a duet between American singers Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson, recorded for the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-produced soundtrack to the 1992 American film, Mo' Money, starring Damon Wayans. It was later included on the compilations Design of a Decade 1986/1996 (1995), One Night with You: The Best of Love, Volume 2 (1997), Lovesongs (2009) and Number Ones (2009). The song was composed by Jam, Lewis and New Edition/Bell Biv DeVoe members Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe.

Background

In March 1991, Jackson signed an unprecedented $32 million contract with Virgin Records, the largest record deal at the time even if it was quickly exceeded by her brother Michael and his label, Epic Records.[1] Prior to her first release with Virgin, Jackson was asked by Jam and Lewis to record a song for the sound track to the feature film Mo' Money, released in 1992 by their label Perspective Records. Jon Bream of the Star Tribune reported: "For most movie soundtracks, producers negotiate with record companies, managers and lawyers for the services of big-name singers. Like the Hollywood outsiders that they are, Edina-based Jam and Lewis went directly to such stars as Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, Bell Biv Devoe, Color Me Badd and Johnny Gill."[2] A remixed version was later released in 1995.

"The Best Things in Life Are Free" is an R&B, dance-pop and house song with a "steady beat."[3] It is written in the key of F#m and their vocal ranges span from the low-note of F#2 to C#5.[3] The song is set in the signature of common time and has a moderate tempo of 120 pulsations per minute.[3] It follows the basic chord progression of B7m—C#7m—F#7.[3]

Information

Jackson and Vandross were nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals" for recording the song.

It was the first all-new song Jackson recorded at the new location of Flyte Tyme Studios in Edina, MN, which was completed 2 months after wrapping up recording on her fourth studio album Rhythm Nation 1814 in May 1989 at the original Minneapolis studio.[4] She had done re-recordings and remixes there from 1989 to 1991.

Jackson included the song on her 2011 tour, Number Ones, Up Close and Personal and 2015-2016 Unbreakable World Tour.

Chart performance

In the United States, "The Best Things in Life Are Free" debuted at number 24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 the week of May 30, 1992.[5] Three weeks later, the song peaked at number 10 for three consecutive weeks and ended at number 41 on the year-end chart.[6][7][8][9] The song also peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[8][10]

In the United Kingdom the song was released in August 1992 and peaked at #2 in the UK Singles Chart, spending 13 weeks in the chart. It became her first top ten hit in the UK since "Let's Wait Awhile" reached #3 in 1987. The song was remixed in 1995 and re-released, reaching #7. It was the remixed version that was included on international releases of Janet's compilation album Design of a Decade 1986/1996.

It spent 5 consecutive weeks at #2 on the Australian Singles Chart, spending 18 weeks on the chart, And charting at #6 On the Year ends chart.[11]

Music video

A music video was made for the song, although neither Vandross nor Jackson appears in it. Instead, the video features Mo' Money's stars, Damon Wayans and Stacey Dash, at a carnival, lip-synching to the song; Damon's brother Marlon Wayans, who also appears in Mo' Money, has a cameo appearance in the video.

A rap from Bell Biv Devoe and a spoken part by Ralph Tresvant are also in the song.

Track listings and formats

Charts

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Fred Bronson 2003, p. 817
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Janet Jackson - The Best Things in Life Are Free Sheet Music (Digital Download). Musicnotes.com.
  4. ↑ http://www.guide2prince.org/jimmy-jam-terry-lewis-discography/flyte-time-grand-opening/
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Joel Whitburn 2004, p. 811
  11. ↑ http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-50-singles-1992.htm
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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References

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External links

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