The Best Things in Life Are Free

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"The Best Things in Life Are Free"
Single by Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson
from the album Mo' Money soundtrack
Released May 12, 1992 (U.S.)
July 20, 1992 (UK)
December 1995 (European/Australian re-release)
Format 7" single, airplay
Recorded April 1992
Genre R&B, pop
Length 4:36
Label Perspective, A&M
Writer(s) Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown, Ray Henderson
Producer Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Luther Vandross singles chronology
"Power of Love/Love Power"
(1991)		 "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)


Mo' Money soundtrack track listing
"For You? Free"
(2)		 "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
(3)		 "Gimme My 2 Dollars"
(4)
Alternate covers
U.K. 1995 CD single cover
U.K. 1995 CD single cover
U.K. 1995 Limited Edition Remix CD single cover
U.K. 1995 Limited Edition Remix CD single cover
U.K. 1995 12" double promo vinyl cover
U.K. 1995 12" double promo vinyl cover

"The Best Things in Life Are Free" is a song by Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross.

Contents

[edit] Song information

Released in 1992, the song was originally recorded for the Mo' Money soundtrack. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals".

This song is not to be confused with a completely different tune released in the 40s or 50s.

[edit] Chart performance

The Best Things in Life Are Free" debuted at number 24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 the week of May 30, 1992. Three weeks later, the song peaked at number 10 for three consecutive weeks. The single was a staple on pop and R&B radio during the summer of 1992, spending 18 weeks in the Top 40, through September 26, 1992

In the United Kingdom the song was released in August 1992 and peaked at #2 in the UK Singles Chart and spent 13 weeks in the chart. The song was remixed in 1995 and re-released reaching #7. It was the remixed version that was included on Janet's compilation album Design of a Decade

[edit] Music video

The video features cameos by Damon and Marlon Wayans and Stacey Dash, but neither Vandross nor Jackson appear in the video. A rap from Bell Biv Devoe and a spoken part by Ralph Tresvant are also in the song. It has never been commercially released.

[edit] Track listings and formats

[edit] 1992 Original Release

EU Maxi-CD Single (390 875-2)[1]
Australian CD Single (587 401-2)[2]
  1. LP Version - 4:36
  2. Instrumental - 4:28
  3. Snippets: "Money Can't Buy You Love"*
    "Let's Just Run Away"*
    "Let's Get Together (So Groovy Now)*

*Track not performed by Jackson or Vandross

EU CD Single (587 409-2)[3]
  1. Classic 7 w/Rap - 4:22
  2. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
  3. Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53
UK 12" Vinyl (PERT 7400)[4]
  1. LP Version - 4:36
  2. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
  3. C.J.'s Macapella - 6:21
  4. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
  5. Def Version - 8:41
  6. CJ's UK Dub 1 - 6:46
UK Maxi-CD Single (PERD 7400, 587 400-2)[5]
  1. C.J.'s U.K. 7" w/Rap - 4:18
  2. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
  3. Classic 7 w/Rap - 4:22
  4. Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53
  5. Def Version - 8:41
  6. CJ's UK Dub 1 - 6:46
US 12" Vinyl (31458 7406 1)[6]
  1. Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53
  2. Def Version - 8:41
  3. LP Version - 4:36
  4. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
  5. C.J.'s FXTC Dub - 6:51
  6. C.J.'s Vinyl Zone Dub - 6:49
US CD Single (31458 7406-2)[7]
  1. Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53
  2. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
  3. Def Version - 8:41
  4. C.J.'s FXTC Dub - 6:51
  5. C.J.'s Vinyl Zone Dub - 6:49
  6. LP Version - 4:36
US 2 x 12" Promo Vinyl (31458 8003 1)[8]
  1. Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:54
  2. Classic 12" w/o Rap - 5:42
  3. Def Version - 8:41
  4. Dub Mix - 4:27
  5. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 10:01
  6. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/o Rap) - 9:57
  7. C.J.'s FXTC Dub - 6:51
  8. C.J.'s Vinyl Zone Dub - 6:49
US Promo CD Single (31458 8003 2)[9]
  1. Classic 7 w/Rap - 4:22
  2. Classic 7 w/o Rap - 4:03
  3. C.J.'s U.K. 7" w/Rap - 4:18
  4. C.J.'s U.K. 7" w/o Rap - 4:17
  5. Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53
  6. Classic 12 w/o Rap - 5:42
  7. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
  8. C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/o Rap - 9:55
  9. Def Version - 8:41

[edit] 1995 Remix Re-release

UK 2 x 12" Promo Vinyl (AMPMDJ 028)[10]
  1. S-Man's Salsoul Vibe - 11:40
  2. Roger's Nasty Dub - 8:20
  3. S-Man's Ill Dub - 6:50
  4. S-Man's Deep Dub Remix - 7:10
  5. Bonus Beats - 4:00
UK 2 x 12" Vinyl (581 445-1)(Limited Edition)[11]
  1. S-Man's Salsoul Vibe Remix - 7:00 (Mislabeled - S-Man's Salsoul Vibe - 11:40)
  2. S-Man's Deep Dub Remix - 7:10
  3. Roger's Nasty Remix - 7:20 (Mislabeled - Roger's Nasty Dub - 8:20)
  4. Bonus Beats - 4:00
  5. MK Remix - 7:25
  6. S-Man's Ill Dub - 6:50
  7. K-Klass 12" Remix - 9:27 (Mislabeled - K Klass 12" Mix - 8:54)
  8. CJ's Dub Remix - 6:10 (Mislabeled - C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/o Rap - 9:55)
UK CD Single (581 497-2)[12]
  1. K Klass 7" Edit - 4:22
  2. S-Man's Salsoul Vibe - 11:40
  3. K Klass 12" Mix - 8:54
UK Maxi-CD Single (581 311-2)[13]
  1. K Klass 7" - 4:22
  2. K Klass 12" - 8:54
  3. MK 12" - 7:25
  4. The S-Man Salsoul Vibe - 11:40
  5. CJ Mackintosh Original Remix - 7:13
UK Maxi-CD Single (581 697-2)(Limited Edition)[14]
  1. S-Man's Salsoul Vibe - 11:40
  2. K Klass 12" - 8:54
  3. Roger's Nasty Dub - 8:20
  4. Roger's Ill Dub - 7:44
  5. Roger's Deep Dub - 7:32
  6. CJ Mackintosh Original Remix - 9:55

[edit] Official remixes

[edit] 1992

  • LP Version (4:36)
  • Instrumental (4:29)
  • CJ's UK 12" w/ Rap (9:58)
  • CJ's UK 12" w/o Rap (9:55)
  • CJ's UK 12" Edit (7:12)
  • CJ's Macapella (6:21)
  • CJ's UK 7" w/ Rap (4:18)
  • CJ's UK 7" w/o Rap (4:17)
  • Classic 12" w/ Rap (5:53)
  • Classic 12" w/o Rap (5:42)
  • Classic 7" w/ Rap (4:22)
  • Classic 7" w/o Rap (4:03)
  • Def Version (8:41)
  • CJ's FXTC Dub/UK Dub #1 (6:51)
  • CJ's Vinyl Zone Dub/UK Dub #2 (6:49)
  • Dub Mix (4:27)

[edit] 1995

  • MK 12" (7:25)
  • Roger's Nasty Dub (8:20)
  • Roger's Bonus Beats (4:00)
  • S-Man Salsoul Vibe (11:40)
  • S-Man Deep Dub (7:32)
  • S-Man Ill Dub (7:44)
  • K-Klass 7" Edit (4:22)
  • K-Klass 12" Mix (8:50)

[edit] Charts

Chart (1992) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 10
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
U.S. Billboard Dance Music/Club Play 3
Euro Hot 100 1
U.S. Billboard Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 39
U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40 5
Australia 2
UK Singles Chart 2
Bavaria 3
South Africa sales chart 3
Canada 4
Germany 14
Switzerland 32
Preceded by
"Tennessee" by Arrested Development		 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single
July 18, 1992		 Succeeded by
"You Remind Me" by Mary J. Blige

[edit] Cover versions

A cover by British glamour model Katie Price and her now estranged husband, pop singer Peter Andre, was included on their 2006 album A Whole New World.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  2. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  3. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  4. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson With Special Guests BBD* & Ralph Tresvant - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  5. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  6. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  7. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  8. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  9. ^ Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  10. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  11. ^ Luther Vandross / Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  12. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  13. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
  14. ^ Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free
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