My Love Is for Real

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"My Love Is for Real"
Single by Paula Abdul
from the album Head over Heels
B-side"Didn't I Say I Love You"
ReleasedMay 30, 1995 (1995-05-30)
Genre
Length5:20
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Rhett Lawrence
Paula Abdul singles chronology
"Will You Marry Me?"
(1992) 		"My Love Is for Real"
(1995) 		"Crazy Cool"
(1995)
Music video
"My Love Is for Real" on YouTube

"My Love Is for Real" is a song by American singer and songwriter Paula Abdul with backing vocals from Israeli singer Ofra Haza. It was released on May 30, 1995 by Virgin and Captive, as the first single from Abdul's third studio album, Head over Heels (1995). Intended as Abdul's comeback single, "My Love Is for Real" reached number one in Hungary and the top 20 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, but it stalled outside the top 20 in the United States, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, and failed to make a major impact in Europe. The song's music video was directed by Michael Haussman.

Composition[edit]

Written by Abdul and Rhett Lawrence, the song fuses trip hop and traditional Indian instruments as well as Middle Eastern music with backing vocals by Israeli singer Ofra Haza, producing a darker sound not present in Abdul's earlier hits and also containing elements of industrial music.[6] The single's B-side is the mid-tempo song "Didn't I Say I Love You", written by Elliot Wolf and Stacey Piersa.

Critical reception[edit]

Larry Flick from Billboard viewed the song as "an overlooked pop-treasure", describing it as "cute" and "fun".[1] Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel described it as "Middle Eastern-flavored" and "slow chugging".[4] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "Her new single goes for the dance angle, reminiscent of her first hit "Straight Up" but this time round unlikely to become too big a hit for her."[2] Ian Watson from Melody Maker felt that "mucho respect" goes to Abdul "for first having the good sense to employ the wailing woman talents of Ofra Haza and then penning a pop song that flirts dangerously with the intense feelings found in the Arabic music world."[7] A reviewer from Music Week gave "My Love Is for Real" four out of five, adding, "Smooth, soulful vocals with a funky rhythm and oriental touches show Abdul back on form."[3] John Perry from NME named it the "strongest of all" on the album, "mixing Ofra Haza's ethereal vocals over Paula's Madonna-esque whispering, almost turning a standard sexy ballad into Massive Attack's "Safe from Harm". Almost."[8]

Chart performance[edit]

"My Love Is for Real" was intended to be a comeback single for Abdul, who had not released an album since 1991's triple platinum Spellbound.[9] The single was not as successful as Abdul's previous releases and peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song fared better on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it reached the number-one position.

Internationally, "My Love Is for Real" peaked at number seven in Australia and became a top-20 hit in New Zealand and Canada. In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart and number three on the UK R&B Chart. The song did not impact Ireland or mainland Europe at all, save for Hungary, where it topped the country's chart, and Germany, where it reached number 87.

Music video[edit]

The accompanying music video for "My Love Is for Real", directed by Michael Haussman, features Middle Eastern inspired imagery with Abdul appearing as the head mistress of a harem.[10] The video received two MTV Video Music Award nominations: Best Dance Video and Best Choreography in a Video.

Track listings[edit]

Charts[edit]

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States May 9, 1995
[47]
May 30, 1995
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [48]
United Kingdom June 5, 1995
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Virgin [49]
Japan July 5, 1995 Mini-CD [50]

Strike version[edit]

"My Love Is for Real"
Single by Strike
from the album I Saw the Future
ReleasedNovember 4, 1996 (1996-11-04)[51]
Genre
Length3:48
LabelFresh
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Andy Gardner
  • Matt Cantor
Strike singles chronology
"U Sure Do"
(1994) 		"My Love Is for Real"
(1996) 		"I Have Peace"
(1997)
Music video
"My Love is for Real" on YouTube

British electronic dance music group Strike released their version of "My Love Is for Real" in November 1996. It was released at the fourth single from their only studio album, I Saw the Future (1997). The single reached number 35 in the United Kingdom and number 45 in Scotland. Outside Europe, the song reached number 157 in Australia.

Critical reception[edit]

British magazine Music Week rated Strike's version of "My Love Is for Real" four out of five, adding, "The magic is still there from the band who have got making commercial pop dance down to a fine art. Another smash."[52]

Track listings[edit]

  • UK 12-inch single (1996)
  1. "My Love Is 4 Real" (Strike's Big Outback 12-inch mix)
  2. "My Love Is 4 Real" (Strike's Small Upfront dub)
  3. "My Love Is 4 Real" (Ramp vocal mix)
  4. "My Love Is 4 Real" (Ramp dub)
  • UK CD single (1996)
  1. "My Love Is for Real" (radio edit) – 3:48
  2. "My Love Is for Real" (Strike's Big Outback 12-inch mix) – 6:11
  3. "My Love Is for Real" (Strike's Small Upfront dub) – 6:35
  4. "My Love Is for Real" (Ramp vocal mix) – 6:37
  5. "My Love Is for Real" (Ramp dub) – 7:33

Charts[edit]

Chart (1996–1997) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[53] 157
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[54] 84
Scotland (OCC)[55] 45
UK Singles (OCC)[56] 35
UK Dance (OCC)[57] 3

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Flick, Larry (October 12, 1996). "Dance Trax: '70s Star France Joli Hasn't Lost Her 'Touch'" (PDF). Billboard. p. 30. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Masterton, James (June 11, 1995). "Week Ending June 17th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. May 27, 1995. p. 38. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Campbell, Chuck (June 23, 1995). "Bjork Returns With Lyrical Surprises". Knoxville News Sentinel.
  5. ^ entry for the song ASCAP. Accessed on October 29, 2010.
  6. ^ "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 26. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 1, 1995. p. 92. ISSN 0006-2510.
  7. ^ Watson, Ian (June 10, 1995). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  8. ^ Perry, John (June 24, 1995). "Long Play". NME. p. 56. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Considine, J .D. (June 13, 1995). "Abdul: Sounds Familiar". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  10. ^ "Production Notes". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 23. June 10, 1995. p. 40. ISSN 0006-2510.
  11. ^ My Love Is for Real (US CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records, Captive Records. 1995. V25H-38493, 7243 8 38493 2 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ My Love Is for Real (US cassette single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records, Captive Records. 1995. 4KM-38493, 7243 8 38493 4 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ My Love Is for Real (US 7-inch single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records, Captive Records. 1995. NR-38493, 7243 8 38493 7 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ My Love Is for Real (US 12-inch single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records, Captive Records. 1995. Y-38493, 7243 8 38493 1 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ My Love Is for Real (UK CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records, Captive Records. 1995. VUSCDF 91, 7243 8 92994 2 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ My Love Is for Real (UK cassette single sleeve). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records, Captive Records. 1995. VUSC 91.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ My Love Is for Real (European CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records, Captive Records. 1995. VUSCDE 91.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ My Love Is for Real (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1995. VJDP-10246.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ My Love Is for Real (Australian CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records, Captive Records. 1995. 8929822.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ "Paula Abdul feat. Ofra Haza – My Love Is for Real". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  21. ^ a b Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 18. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  22. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7762." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  23. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7792." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  24. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 9854." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  25. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 32. August 12, 1995. p. 15. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  26. ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. June 17, 1995. p. 27. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  27. ^ "Paula Abdul feat. Ofra Haza – My Love Is for Real" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  28. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 32. August 12, 1995. p. 17. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  29. ^ "Paula Abdul – My Love Is for Real" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  30. ^ "Paula Abdul feat. Ofra Haza – My Love Is for Real" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  31. ^ "Paula Abdul feat. Ofra Haza – My Love Is for Real". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  32. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  33. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  34. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  35. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  36. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  37. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  38. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  39. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  40. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  41. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  42. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  43. ^ "CHR/Pop Top 50". Radio & Records. June 30, 1995. p. 30. ProQuest 1017274890.
  44. ^ "CHR/Rhythmic Top 50". Radio & Records. June 30, 1995. p. 36. ProQuest 1017280128.
  45. ^ "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995". RPM. Retrieved April 14, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  46. ^ "Top 95 of 1995". Radio & Records. December 22, 1995. p. 33. ProQuest 1017283801.
  47. ^ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1093. May 5, 1995. pp. 30, 36. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  48. ^ Newman, Melinda (May 13, 1995). "Abdul 'Head Over Heels' for New Set" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 19. p. 48. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  49. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. June 3, 1995. p. 35. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  50. ^ "マイ・ラブ・イズ・フォー・リアル | ポーラ・アブドル" [My Love Is for Real | Paula Abdul] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  51. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 2, 1996. p. 41. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  52. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. October 19, 1996. p. 35. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  53. ^ "RE: ARIA Chart Peaks". Imgur.com. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  54. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. November 23, 1996. p. 16. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  55. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 10 November 1996 - 16 November 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  56. ^ "UK Singles". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  57. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 10 November 1996 - 16 November 1996". officialcharts.com.
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