Love Is All We Need

"Love Is All We Need" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige, with a guest rap from Nas. It was written by Blige, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, and Nasir Jones for Blige's third studio album, Share My World (1997), while production was helmed by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The song contains a sample of the song "Moonchild" (1985) by American singer Rick James. With its more buoyant tone, "Love Is All We Need" stood in conspicuous contrast to much of the more dark-rooted material featured on Blige's earlier albums.

For other uses, see Love Is All We Need (disambiguation).
"Love Is All We Need"
Standard artwork for US CD releases
Single by Mary J. Blige
from the album Share My World
ReleasedMarch 18, 1997 (1997-03-18)
Recorded1996
StudioFlyte Tyme Studios, Edina, Minnesota
GenreR&B
Length4:16
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
"All That I Got Is You"
(1996)		 "Love Is All We Need"
(1997)		 "I Can Love You"
(1997)
Nas singles chronology
"Escobar '97"
(1997)		 "Love Is All We Need"
(1997)		 "Grand Finale"
(1998)

Release

While well received in America as an airplay single, the song was never given a physical release in the US and as a result the song never charted on the Hot 100 singles chart, though it did reach number one on the US dance singles chart. Meanwhile, the song became an international hit reaching number fifteen on the UK singles charts; Blige's first top twenty UK hit since 1995's "Mary Jane (All Night Long)." A remix of the song features a separate rap cameo by Foxy Brown and a vocal interpolation of Diana Ross' "Do You Know Where You're Going To (Theme from Mahogany)".

Critical reception

Jonathan Bernstein from Entertainment Weekly noted "the exultant way Blige reacts to the whomping drums, vast chorus, and wide-screen production Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis cook up" on "Love Is All We Need".[1] Pan-European magazine Music & Media stated that here, "Ms. Blige proves that she has matured as an artist to the extent that she now can be regarded as one of the leading artists in the R&B field. This midtempo song is a fine example of this. The icing on the cake is provided by an imaginative rap by Nas and a sample of Rick James' Moonchild."[2]

Music Week rated the song three out of five, describing it as a "lively, funky track featuring rapper Nas and a tasty Rick James sample."[3] A reviewer from People Magazine viewed it as "brilliantly produced" and "a muscular ode to the power of commitment." The reviewer added, "With rapper Nas adding encouragement, Mary J. dives deep into the song’s dense grooves with a tone that’s alternately raw and rugged and then as clear as a spring day. Like much of this excellent CD, it’s a perfect blend of attitude and straight-up skill."[4]

Music video

The accompanying music video for the song was shot in New York City on February 24–25, 1997. Blige is shown at an office singing, and then at a fashion show. Nas is in a fancy chair rapping his verse. The final scene shows Blige on top of a building.

Track listings
  • CD 1
  1. "Love Is All We Need" (Album Version)
  2. "Love Is All We Need" (Instant Flava Remix)
  3. "Love Is All We Need" (Mark's Needy Vocal)
  4. "Love Is All We Need" (DYMK Club Mix)
  • CD 2
  1. "Love Is All We Need" (Cutfather & Joe Remix)
  2. "Love Is All We Need" (Cutfather & Joe Stripped Down Mix)
  3. "Love Is All We Need" (Elusive Club Mix)
  4. "Love Is All We Need" (Mark!s Faster Mary Faster Dub)
  5. "Love Is All We Need" (Hard On Dub)
  • Cassette
  1. "Love Is All We Need" (Album Version)
  2. "Love Is All We Need" (Cutfather & Joe Remix)

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Share My World liner notes.[5]

Charts

References
  1. Bernstein, Jonathan (May 2, 1997). "Share My World". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  2. "Airborne" (PDF). Music & Media. June 21, 1997. p. 25. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  3. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. April 26, 1997. p. 10. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  4. "Picks and Pans Review: Share My World". People. May 19, 1997. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  5. Blige, Mary J. (1997). Share My World (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records.
  6. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 21. May 24, 1997. p. 12.
  7. "Mary J Blige – Love Is All We Need" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  8. "Mary J Blige – Love Is All We Need". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  9. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  10. "Mary J Blige – Love Is All We Need". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  11. "Mary J Blige: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  12. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  13. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  14. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  15. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  16. "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  17. "The Urban Top 40 Tracks Of 1997" (PDF). Music Week. January 10, 1998. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  18. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 1997". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
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