Real Love (Jody Watley song)

"Real Love"
"Real Love"
Single by Jody Watley
from the album Larger Than Life
Released	March 18, 1989
Genre	New jack swing
Length	4:23
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	André Cymone; Jody Watley;
Producer(s)	André Cymone
Jody Watley singles chronology

"Real Love" is a song by American singer Jody Watley from her second studio album, Larger Than Life (1989). The single reached the number-one spot on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles and Dance Club Play charts. On the US Billboard Hot 100, "Real Love" peaked at number two for two weeks in May 1989. The song was also nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best Female Single.

Music video

The music video premiered in March 1989. During mid-1989, Watley's "Real Love" video, directed by David Fincher, was nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards including Breakthrough Video, Best Art Direction, Best Dance Video, and Best Female Video at the 1989 award show. That record was held until Michael Jackson's and Janet Jackson's "Scream" received eleven VMA nominations in 1995.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award
1989	MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Female Video for "Real Love"
1989	MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Dance Video for "Real Love"
1989	MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Direction for "Real Love"
1989	MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Art Direction for "Real Love"
1989	MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Editing for "Real Love"
1989	MTV Video Music Award nomination for Breakthrough Video for "Real Love"

Track listings

7-inch, cassette, and Japanese mini-CD single^[2]^[3]^[4]

"Real Love" – 4:19
"Real Love" (instrumental) – 4:21

US, Canadian, and Australian 12-inch single^[5]^[6]

A1. "Real Love" (extended version) – 6:59

B1. "Real Love" (extended instrumental) – 7:40

B2. "Real Love" (dub version) – 6:15

B3. "Real Love" (Bassapella) – 4:28

UK 12-inch single^[7]

A1. "Real Love" (extended version) – 6:59

B1. "Real Love" (dub version) – 6:15

B2. "Real Love" (Bassapella) – 4:28

UK 12-inch remix single^[8]

A1. "Real Love" (Drive Time remix) – 5:40

B1. "Real Love" (extended instrumental) – 7:40

UK CD single^[9]

"Real Love" (7-inch version) – 4:19
"Real Love" (US radio edit) – 5:16
"Real Love" (extended version) – 6:59

European 12-inch single^[10]

A1. "Real Love" (extended version) – 6:59

B1. "Real Love" (dub version) – 6:15

B2. "Real Love" (7-inch version) – 4:19

German mini-CD single^[11]

"Real Love" (extended version) – 6:59
"Real Love" (7-inch version) – 4:19
"Real Love" (dub version) – 6:15

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[12]	78
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[13]	15
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[14]	2
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)^[15]	2
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[16]	55
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[17]	22
Ireland (IRMA)^[18]	25
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[19]	19
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[20]	21
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[21]	35
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[22]	21
UK Singles (OCC)^[23]	31
US Billboard Hot 100^[24]	2
US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)^[25]	2
US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)^[26]	1
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)^[27]	1
West Germany (GfK)^[28]	15

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[29]	57
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)^[30]	21
US Billboard Hot 100^[31]	46
US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)^[32]	17
US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)^[33]	25
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)^[32]	5

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[34]	Gold	500,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	March 18, 1989	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl cassette	MCA	^[20]
United Kingdom	March 28, 1989	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD		^[35]
Japan	April 25, 1989	Mini-CD		^[36]

References

^ Coleman, Bill (March 18, 1989). "Madonna's Back with a Groove and a 'Prayer'". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 11. p. 35. Watley has joined the realm of the 'new jack swing' crew on this very safe first single release...
^ Real Love (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCA-53484.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Real Love (US cassette single sleeve). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCAC-53484.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Real Love (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. 09P3-6108.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Real Love (US & Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCA-23928.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Real Love (Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. 0-23928.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Real Love (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCAT 1324.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Real Love (UK 12-inch remix single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCAX 1324.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Real Love (UK CD single liner notes). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. DMCAT 1324.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Real Love (European 12-inch single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. 257 632-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Real Love (German mini-CD single disc notes). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. 257 632-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
^ "Jody Watley – Real Love" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6352." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 6837." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 24. June 17, 1989. p. 19.
^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Jody Watley". Sisältää hitin – 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 279. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Jody Watley". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Jody Watley – Real Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ "Jody Watley – Real Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ "Jody Watley – Real Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ "Jody Watley: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. May 20, 1989. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
^ "Hot Dance Music: 12-inch Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 17. April 29, 1989. p. 28.
^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. May 6, 1989. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
^ "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. May 6, 1989. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Jody Watley – Real Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
^ "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. December 23, 1989. Retrieved October 5, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.
^ "Top 25 Dance Singles of '89". RPM. December 23, 1989. Retrieved October 5, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.
^ "Billboard Pop Singles – 1989". Retrieved December 15, 2011.
^ ^a ^b "1989 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. Y-40.
^ "1989 The Year in Music: Top Black Singles". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. Y-28.
^ "American single certifications – Jody Watley – Real Love". Recording Industry Association of America.
^ "New Singles". Music Week. March 25, 1989. p. 27.
^ "アル・ラブ | ジョディ・ワトリー" [Real Love | Jody Watley] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 4, 2023.

[1] Coleman, Bill (March 18, 1989). "Madonna's Back with a Groove and a 'Prayer'". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 11. p. 35. Watley has joined the realm of the 'new jack swing' crew on this very safe first single release...

[2] Real Love (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCA-53484.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[3] Real Love (US cassette single sleeve). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCAC-53484.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[4] Real Love (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. 09P3-6108.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[5] Real Love (US & Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCA-23928.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[6] Real Love (Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. 0-23928.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[7] Real Love (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCAT 1324.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[8] Real Love (UK 12-inch remix single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. MCAX 1324.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[9] Real Love (UK CD single liner notes). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. DMCAT 1324.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[10] Real Love (European 12-inch single vinyl disc). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. 257 632-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[11] Real Love (German mini-CD single disc notes). Jody Watley. MCA Records. 1989. 257 632-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[12] Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.

[sc_Flanders_Jody_Watley-13] "Jody Watley – Real Love" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-14] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6352." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[sc_Canadadance_-15] "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 6837." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[16] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 24. June 17, 1989. p. 19.

[17] Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Jody Watley". Sisältää hitin – 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 279. Retrieved July 11, 2022.

[sc_Ireland2_Jody_Watley-18] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Jody Watley". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[sc_Dutch40_-19] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[d100-20] "Jody Watley – Real Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[sc_New_Zealand_Jody_Watley-21] "Jody Watley – Real Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[sc_Switzerland_Jody_Watley-22] "Jody Watley – Real Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_Jody_Watley-23] "Jody Watley: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[24] "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. May 20, 1989. Retrieved January 17, 2023.

[25] "Hot Dance Music: 12-inch Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 17. April 29, 1989. p. 28.

[26] "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. May 6, 1989. Retrieved January 17, 2023.

[27] "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. May 6, 1989. Retrieved January 17, 2023.

[sc_West_Germany_Jody_Watley-28] "Offiziellecharts.de – Jody Watley – Real Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 5, 2022.

[29] "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. December 23, 1989. Retrieved October 5, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[30] "Top 25 Dance Singles of '89". RPM. December 23, 1989. Retrieved October 5, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[31] "Billboard Pop Singles – 1989". Retrieved December 15, 2011.

[usdye-32] "1989 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. Y-40.

[33] "1989 The Year in Music: Top Black Singles". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. Y-28.

[United_StatesJody_WatleyReal_LovesingleCertRef-34] "American single certifications – Jody Watley – Real Love". Recording Industry Association of America.

[35] "New Singles". Music Week. March 25, 1989. p. 27.

[36] "アル・ラブ | ジョディ・ワトリー" [Real Love | Jody Watley] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 4, 2023.

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v t e Jody Watley
Studio albums	Jody Watley (1987) Larger Than Life (1989) Affairs of the Heart (1991) Intimacy (1993) Affection (1995) Flower (1998) The Saturday Night Experience (1999) Midnight Lounge (2001) The Makeover (2006)
Compilations	Greatest Hits (1996)
Remix albums	You Wanna Dance with Me? (1989) Remixes of Love (1994)
Singles	"Looking for a New Love" "Still a Thrill" "Don't You Want Me" "Some Kind of Lover" "Most of All" "Real Love" "Friends" "Everything" "Precious Love" "I Want You" "I'm the One You Need" "It All Begins with You" "Your Love Keeps Working on Me" "When a Man Loves a Woman" "Ecstasy" "Affection" "Off the Hook" "Looking for a New Love" "Borderline" "I Want Your Love"
Featured singles	"This Is for the Lover in You" (w/ Babyface feat. LL Cool J, Howard Hewett & Jeffrey Daniel)
Related topics	Discography Shalamar Avitone Records

v t e David Fincher
Awards and nominations Bibliography Filmography Unrealized projects
Films	Alien 3 (1992) Seven (1995) The Game (1997) Fight Club (1999) Panic Room (2002) Zodiac (2007) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) The Social Network (2010) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) Gone Girl (2014) Mank (2020) The Killer (2023)
Related	Jack Fincher (father) Ceán Chaffin (wife)