Album cover. RCA Victor (PCD1-5414) (1985)
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Dolly Parton
Real Love RCA Victor (PCD1-5414) January 21, 1985
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Recording
The album was recorded at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles, California. Additional overdubs were recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles.
Release and promotion
The album was released January 21, 1985, on CD, LP, cassette, and 8-track.
Singles
"Don't Call It Love" was released as the album's first single on January 7, 1985. It debuted at number 67 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated January 26. It peaked at number three on the chart dated May 4, its fifteenth week on the chart. The single charted for 22 weeks. It also peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The single peaked at number five in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart and number 15 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.
"Real Love", a duet with Kenny Rogers, was released as the second single on April 29, 1985. It debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated May 25. It peaked at number one on the chart dated August 24, its fourteenth week on the chart. It charted for 20 weeks. The single also peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart and number 19 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. The single peaked at number 45 on Australia on the Kent Music Report.
The third single, "Think About Love", was released on November 11, 1985. It debuted at number 72 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated November 30. It peaked at number one on the chart dated March 8, 1986, its fifteenth week on the chart. The single charted for 22 weeks. It also peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number 74 in Australia on the Kent Music Report. "Think About Love" had previously been released as a single in the UK in April 1985, but failed to chart.
"Tie Our Love (In a Double Knot)" was released as the fourth single on April 7, 1986. It debuted at number 67 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated May 3. It peaked at number 17 on the chart dated June 28, its ninth week on the chart. The single charted for 15 weeks. It also peaked at number 20 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
"Real Love", a duet with Kenny Rogers, was released as the second single on April 29, 1985. It debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated May 25. It peaked at number one on the chart dated August 24, its fourteenth week on the chart. It charted for 20 weeks. The single also peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart and number 19 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. The single peaked at number 45 on Australia on the Kent Music Report.
The third single, "Think About Love", was released on November 11, 1985. It debuted at number 72 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated November 30. It peaked at number one on the chart dated March 8, 1986, its fifteenth week on the chart. The single charted for 22 weeks. It also peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number 74 in Australia on the Kent Music Report. "Think About Love" had previously been released as a single in the UK in April 1985, but failed to chart.
"Tie Our Love (In a Double Knot)" was released as the fourth single on April 7, 1986. It debuted at number 67 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated May 3. It peaked at number 17 on the chart dated June 28, its ninth week on the chart. The single charted for 15 weeks. It also peaked at number 20 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
Television special
A television special was filmed during two concerts of Dolly and Kenny's joint tour in 1985. It premiered July 14, 1985, on HBO as Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Together. It was later released on home video as Kenny & Dolly: Real Love.
Critical reception
A review from Billboard said that "Parton continues to draw on her country roots and themes, while forging increasingly mainstream material." The review called producer David Malloy "an experienced country/pop crossover strategist." The arrangements were described as "precise" and Dolly as being "in fine voice." The review stated that "Think About Love" and "Don't Call It Love" are the best tracks on the record.
The review from Cashbox said that Dolly has always been able to perfectly capture the essence of whatever style of music she's sung, and this latest album reinforces that convincingly." It went on to say that Dolly "is as irresistible as ever." The review concluded by saying that "the convincingly strong vocal and instrumental performance...make it another winner for Parton." The review noted "Real Love", "Don't Call It Love", and "I Can't Be True" as the best songs on the album.
Mark Deming of AllMusic rated the album 2.5 out of 5 stars. He criticized the album's production as "painfully dated," saying that "one spin...lands this album firmly in 1985, when it was recorded" and called it "an apparent effort to keep up with the times."
The review from Cashbox said that Dolly has always been able to perfectly capture the essence of whatever style of music she's sung, and this latest album reinforces that convincingly." It went on to say that Dolly "is as irresistible as ever." The review concluded by saying that "the convincingly strong vocal and instrumental performance...make it another winner for Parton." The review noted "Real Love", "Don't Call It Love", and "I Can't Be True" as the best songs on the album.
Mark Deming of AllMusic rated the album 2.5 out of 5 stars. He criticized the album's production as "painfully dated," saying that "one spin...lands this album firmly in 1985, when it was recorded" and called it "an apparent effort to keep up with the times."
Billboard review, March 2, 1985.
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Cashbox review, February 23, 1985.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 61 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated March 9, 1985. It peaked at number nine on the chart dated June 1, its thirteenth week on the chart. It would later return to this same peak position on the chart dated July 20. The album charted for 40 weeks. The album peaked at number 30 in Sweden on the Sverigetopplistan chart. It charted at number 31 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 1985.
Accolades
The album was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards and the title track was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. The television special Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Together was nominated or TV Special of the Year at the 1985 CMT Music Awards.
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.
Performance
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Production
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Other personnel
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Reissues
The album was reissued for the first time in 2007 when it was released on CD with the 1983 album Burlap & Satin. It was released as a digital download the same year.