1001 Songs Challenge #776: Real Love (1992)
On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.
My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.
I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead
of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.
So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…
Mary J. Blige – Real Love (1992)
Real Love (Mary J. Blige song) – Wikipedia
” Real Love” is a 1992 song recorded by American singer Mary J. Blige for her debut studio album, What’s the 411? . It was written and produced by Cory Rooney and Mark Morales. The song samples Audio Two’s 1987 song ” Top Billin'”, and was issued as the album’s second single on August 25, 1992.
We’re continuing in the US today, dear reader, but leaving Texas behind and heading on over to New York. For our pleasure today we are having a bit of R&B and hip hop soul to spice things up a little bit. Mary J. Blige began her career in 1991 and continues to perform to this day. We join her early on though with the release of her debut album, What’s the 411? and from there 1001 Songs have gone with the track – Real Love.
In Real Love Mary J. Blige sings her soulful heart out as she regales us with her hopes and dreams of finding Mr Right. He is
out there but not easy to find. Sorry ladies. The song has Blige sing of a relationship that she believe in, that she thought was the real thing, but in the end it sounds like things turned sour and this guy did not feel the same way as his lover. Now hurt and downcast, Blige summons enough strength to hope again and hope for better things to come. We wish her well on her journey for “real love” but will it come to pass? For her sake, I hope so.
Mary J. Blige is another name I am familiar with but I am not intimate with her body of work, I am sorry to say. Real Love sees Blige demonstrating the early potential that would lead to her selling millions of records and releasing 13 studio albums. Real Love fared well upon release and remains a popular part of her live shows. Blige continues to perform but has also branched out into acting as well. Show off. Just joking!
Favourite songs so far:
The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)
Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)
The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)
Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)
The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? (1984)
Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)
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All is Ephemeral
My name is Dave and I live in Yorkshire in the north of England and have been here all my life. I hope you enjoy your visit to All is Ephemeral.
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