45 single, picture sleeve. RCA (PB-14058) (1985)
Image credit: Beatlefan at discogs.com
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"Real Love" is a single by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. It was released on April 29, 1985, by RCA Records as the second single from Dolly's twenty-seventh solo studio album, Real Love. The song was written by David Malloy, Richard "Spady" Brannon, and Randy McCormick. It was produced by David Malloy. The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Dolly's nineteenth song to top the chart. It was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Track listing
Side A
- Real Love (duet with Kenny Rogers) (David Malloy, Richard "Spady" Brannon, Randy McCormick) 3:46
- I Can't Be True (Dolly Parton) 3:17
Recording
"Real Love" was recorded on November 5, 1984, at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles, California. "I Can't Be True" was recorded at the same time studio on an unknown date.
Dolly's solo version of "Real Love" was released in 1995 on the I Will Always Love You: The Essential Dolly Parton One compilation album.
Dolly's solo version of "Real Love" was released in 1995 on the I Will Always Love You: The Essential Dolly Parton One compilation album.
Music video
Critical reception
The single was reviewed in the May 11, 1985 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "Production and packaging make up for rather aimless lyrics in this duet with Kenny Rogers; Parton sings with her usual command."
Cashbox also reviewed the single in their May 11, 1985 issue. It said, "Real Love" reunites the "Islands in the Stream" team of Parton and Rogers, which means money in the bank and lots of it. This title cut from Parton's latest album affirms again that what her voice can do with a good melody transcends categorization — she "sells" a song like no other female vocalist, whether the music has a straight country sound or a pop beat. The tremendous personal appeal of the singers in the country market will add to the record's success and country radio should hop on this one as enthusiastically as AC stations."
Cashbox also reviewed the single in their May 11, 1985 issue. It said, "Real Love" reunites the "Islands in the Stream" team of Parton and Rogers, which means money in the bank and lots of it. This title cut from Parton's latest album affirms again that what her voice can do with a good melody transcends categorization — she "sells" a song like no other female vocalist, whether the music has a straight country sound or a pop beat. The tremendous personal appeal of the singers in the country market will add to the record's success and country radio should hop on this one as enthusiastically as AC stations."
Billboard review, May 11, 1985.
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Cashbox review, May 11, 1985.
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Commercial performance
"Real Love" debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated May 25, 1985. 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 in Australia on the Kent Music Report.
Accolades
"Real Love" was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards in 1986.
Personnel
The Real Love liner notes do not give credits for individual songs. To view credits for the album as a whole please visit the album's page.