The Best Things in Life Are Free

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the 1927 song, see
The Best Things in Life Are Free (1927 song). For the 1956 film, see The Best Things in Life Are Free (film)
.
"The Best Things in Life Are Free"
Flyte Tyme (Edina, Minnesota)
  • Aire L.A. (Glendale, California)
  • Record Plant (Los Angeles, California)
    • Genre
    Length
    • 4:36 (Mo' Money soundtrack w/ BBD and Ralph Tresvant)
    • 4:04 (1995 re-issue)
    Label
    Songwriter(s)
    Producer(s)Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
    Luther Vandross singles chronology
    "Sometimes It's Only Love"
    (1992)     		"The Best Things in Life Are Free"
    (1992)     		"Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)"
    (1993)
    Janet Jackson singles chronology
    "State of the World"
    (1991)     		"The Best Things in Life Are Free"
    (1992)     		"That's the Way Love Goes"
    (1993)
    Bell Biv DeVoe singles chronology
    "Word to the Mutha!"
    (1991)     		"The Best Things in Life Are Free"
    (1992)     		"Gangsta"
    (1993)
    Ralph Tresvant singles chronology
    "Money Can't Buy You Love"
    (1992)     		"The Best Things in Life Are Free"
    (1992)     		"Who's the Mack"
    (1993)
    Music video
    "The Best Things in Life Are Free" on
    YouTube

    "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. The song was composed by Jam, Lewis, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch. The song was released as the soundtrack's lead single on May 12, 1992, by Perspective Records and A&M Records. Additionally, the song was remixed by David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, and CJ Mackintosh. The duet became a major hit in several countries, peaking at number two in Australia and the United Kingdom, number six in Ireland and New Zealand, number eight in Canada and Germany, and number 10 in the United States. Its music video was directed by Paris Barclay, but didn't feature Vandross and Jackson. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

    The song was later included on Vandross' compilations

    MK, exclusively in European countries. A further re-release followed as a limited-edition single in 1996. Jackson included the song on her 2011 tour, Number Ones, Up Close and Personal, and her 2015–2016 Unbreakable World Tour. It is also included in her 2019 Las Vegas Residency Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis
    .

    Background and composition

    In March 1991, Jackson signed an unprecedented $32 million contract with

    Rhythm Nation 1814 in May 1989 at the original Minneapolis studio.[3]
    She had done re-recordings and remixes there from 1989 to 1991.

    "The Best Things in Life Are Free" is an R&B, dance-pop and house song with a "steady beat".[4] It is written in the key of F♯m and their vocal ranges span from the low-note of F♯3 to C♯6.[4] The song is set in the signature of common time and has a moderate tempo of 120 pulsations per minute.[4] It follows the basic chord progression of B7m—C♯7m—F♯7.[4]

    Critical reception

    Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "First peek into the hotly anticipated soundtrack to the film Mo' Money is a glittery, star-studded pop/jack affair. Vandross and Jackson vocally swerve and weave around each other like they've been singing together for years. Added flavor comes from guest raps by Bell Biv DeVoe and Tresvant. The true kudos, however, go to the masterful Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who have crafted a slammin' track that would work no matter what."[5] Amy Linden from Entertainment Weekly commented, "While the combo of Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross may be a marketing dream, artistically it blows. The trademark busy groove that defines Janet buries Luther, who doesn’t need a crutch and who, when free of misguided arrangements, eats singers like Janet for lunch."[6]

    John Martinucci from the

    NME noted its "sweet soul tread" that "carry an equally refreshing air of simplicity."[10] Tom Doyle from Smash Hits described it as "a smooth club number with a dreamy soul feel and a rap from the "special guests" in the middle."[11]

    Chart performance

    In the United States, "The Best Things in Life Are Free" debuted at number 24 on the US

    Hot R&B Singles chart.[15][17]

    In the United Kingdom the song was released in August 1992 and peaked at number two on the

    UK Singles Chart, spending 13 weeks in the chart.[18] It became Jackson's first top-ten hit in the UK since "Let's Wait Awhile" reached number three in 1987.[19] The song was remixed in 1995 and re-released, reaching number seven.[20] It was the remixed version that was included on international releases of Janet's compilation album Design of a Decade: 1986–1996. In Australia the single spent five consecutive weeks at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart,[21] spending 18 weeks on the chart, and was ranked at number six on the year-end chart.[22]

    Music video

    A music video was made for "The Best Things in Life Are Free", directed by American television director, producer, and writer Paris Barclay,[23] although neither Vandross nor Jackson appear 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.

    Also included on the track is Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe of Bell Biv DeVoe. Ralph Tresvant also has a very brief spoken line. He appears solo on the song "Money Can't Buy You Love" from the soundtrack.

    Track listings

    Original version

    "A Little Bit of Mo' Money The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" consists of three snippets: "Money Can't Buy You Love" by Ralph Tresvant, "Let's Just Run Away" by Johnny Gill, and "Let's Get Together (So Groovy Now)" by Krush.

    1995 remixes

    "Megamix" consists of seven songs by Janet Jackson: "What Have You Done for Me Lately", "When I Think of You", "Escapade", "Miss You Much", "Alright", "The Pleasure Principle", and "Runaway".

    Charts

    Certifications

    Certifications for "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
    Region Certification Certified units/sales
    Australia (ARIA)[22] Platinum 70,000^
    United Kingdom (BPI)[67] Silver 200,000^

    ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

    Release history

    Release history and formats for "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
    Region Version Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
    United States Original May 12, 1992
    • 7-inch vinyl
    • 12-inch vinyl
    • CD
    • cassette
    		[citation needed]
    United Kingdom August 3, 1992 [68]
    1995 remixes December 4, 1995
    • CD
    • cassette
    		 A&M [69]
    December 18, 1995 12-inch vinyl double pack [70]

    See also

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

    References

    1. ^ Bronson 2003, p. 817
    2. ISSN 0895-2825
    3. ^ "Flyte Time Grand Opening | A Prince Discography - guide2prince". Archived from the original on April 26, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
    4. ^ a b c d Janet Jackson - The Best Things in Life Are Free Sheet Music (Digital Download). Musicnotes.com.
    5. ^ Flick, Larry (May 23, 1992). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
    6. ^ Linden, Amy (July 31, 1992). "Music Review: 'Mo' Money'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
    7. ^ Martinucci, John (May 8, 1992). "Urban: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 42. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
    8. ^ Jones, Alan (June 27, 1992). "Mainstream: Singles - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
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    Bibliography

    External links
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