The Real Thing (Vanessa Williams album)

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The Real Thing
Babyface
  • Rob Mathes
  • Rex Rideout
    • Vanessa Williams chronology
    Everlasting Love
    (2005)     		The Real Thing
    (2009)
    Singles from The Real Thing
    1. "Breathless"
      Released: February 24, 2009
    2. "Just Friends"
      Released: May 19, 2009
    3. "Close to You"
      Released: August 11, 2009
    4. "The Real Thing"
      Released: September 28, 2009

    The Real Thing is the eighth studio album by American singer and actress

    Keith Thomas, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Rob Mathes, and Rex Rideout. The Real Thing peaked at number 91 on the US Billboard 200. It also reached number one on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, number two on the Top Jazz Albums chart, and number 36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
    chart.

    Background and composition

    The Real Thing was originally intended to be a "Brazilian-type" record. However, when Williams contacted Babyface for the album production, it was revealed the album would have a more

    Latin music.[3] The Real Thing was also produced by Keith Thomas, Rob Mathes and Rex Rideout, and features songs written by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Bebel Gilberto, Phil Galdston, and Babyface.[4]
    When asked about the album style, Williams said:

    "Yes, for me this is kind of a reflective record. [...] You know, I'm in my mid-forties; I've been divorced twice; I've raised four children; I'm a career woman... So it is a kind of look at love from all those different female perspectives. [...] 'The Real Thing' represents the promise of being back with a lover; 'October Sky' is a break-up song… Plus, with me being an actor who's also a singer, my favourite songs to sing are always those that tell a story. Because, when I go into the studio, I do kind of approach everything as an actor. [...] So, in that way, I do think all the songs on 'The Real Thing' either have some deep storyline, or can give an effect of a character at a particular time in a particular place."[3]

    Singles

    • "Breathless" was released as the lead single from the album on February 24, 2009. It failed to chart, but Williams has stated that it is one of her favorite songs on the album.
    • "Just Friends" was released as the second single on May 19, 2009. It reached #10[5] on the Billboard Jazz Songs chart.
    • "Close to You" was released as the third worldwide single on August 11, 2009. The single also failed to chart.
    • "The Real Thing" was released as the fourth single on September 28, 2009. It was written by Stevie Wonder and was released with a Soul Seekerz dance remix.[3]

    Critical reception

    Professional ratings
    Review scores
    SourceRating
    AllMusic[2]
    Slant Magazine[6]

    pop standards from veteran artists like Rod Stewart, Michael McDonald, and Cyndi Lauper having passed, and with crooners like Michael Bublé and Norah Jones no longer selling as well as they once did, it's impossible to imagine that there’s a market for Real Thing."[6]

    Chart performance

    The Real Thing debuted and peaked at number 91 on the US Billboard 200.[7] By May 2010, the album had sold 62,000 copies in United States.[8]

    Track listing

    The Real Thing track listing
    No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
    1."Breathless"
    • Carl Sturken
    		Thomas4:28
    10."Come On Strong"
    		Thomas2:39
    11."If There Were No Song"
    • Mathes
    • Gonzalez[a]
    		4:29

    Notes

    • ^[a] signifies associate producer(s)

    Charts

    Release history

    Release history for The Real Thing
    Region Date Label Ref.
    Japan May 27, 2009 Universal [14]
    Canada June 2, 2009 [15]
    United States Concord [16]
    Germany June 12, 2009 Universal [17]

    References

    1. ^ Cite error: The named reference slant magazine was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
    2. ^ a b c "The Real Thing – Vanessa Williams – Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
    3. ^ a b c d Lewis, Peter (October 2009). "Vanessa Williams: In Vogue". Blues & Soul. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
    4. ^ "The Real Thing CRE 30816 02 : Vanessa Williams". Concord Music Group. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
    5. ^ "Billboard.com - Vanessa Williams Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
    6. ^
      Slantmagazine.com
      . Retrieved February 9, 2023.
    7. ^ a b "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
    8. ^ Donahue, Ann (February 9, 2023). "Standard Bearer". Billboard.
    9. ^ "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Top Contemporary Jazz Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
    10. ^ "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Top Jazz Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
    11. ^ "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
    12. ^ "Contemporary Jazz Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
    13. ^ "Jazz Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
    14. ^ "ザ・リアル・シング".
    15. ^ "Real Thing". 2009.
    16. ^ "The Real Thing". Amazon. 2009.
    17. ^ "The Real Thing". Amazon Germany. 2009.
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