Only Love (Mary J. Blige song)

2018 single by Mary J. Blige

"Only Love"

Single by Mary J. Blige
Released| July 12, 2018
Length| 3:46
Label| Republic
Songwriter(s)|

* Mary J. Blige
* David Brown
* Allan Felder
* Warren Felder
* Norman Harris
* Charles Hinshaw
* Ron Tyson
* Andrew Wansel

Producer(s)| Pop & Oak
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
| "Set Me Free"
(2017)  | "Only Love"
(2018)  | "Thriving"
(2019)

|
|

"Only Love" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Charles Hinshaw, David "Lucky Daye" Brown, Warren Felder and Andrew Wansel, and produced by Felder and Wansel under the production moniker Pop & Oak. The song is built around a sample of "Doctor Love" (1977) by American girl group First Choice. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Allan Felder, Norman Harris, and Ron Tyson are also credited as songwriters. The song was released by Republic Records as a single on July 12, 2018 and was intended for inclusion on her then-upcoming fifteenth studio album. On the charts, it peaked at number five on the US Adult R&B Songs.

## Background

[edit]

"Only Love" was written by Mary J. Blige along with Charles Hinshaw, David "Lucky Daye" Brown, Warren Felder and Andrew Wansel.[1] Production was helmed by Felder and Wansel under the production moniker Pop & Oak.[1] The song is built around a sample of "Doctor Love" (1977) by American girl group First Choice.[1] Due to the inclusion of the sample, the songwriters of "Doctor Love" – Allan Felder, Norman Harris, and Ron Tyson – are also credited as songwriters on "Only Love."[1] Blige commented on the release via social media: "I've been in the studio working on new music and was excited to share a little bit with you all. I had a year of so many ups and downs and have come out the other side with a renewed spirit and a fresh perspective. I'm entering my next chapter with an open mind and heart. "Only Love" is where I am right now and I couldn't keep it to myself any longer!."[2]

## Critical reception

[edit]

SoulTracks editor Chris Rizik found that "Only Love" had Blige coming out "upbeat and sounding glorious on her new single, "Only Love." With an big Philly Soul opening derived from First Choice's "Doctor Love," the single gets listeners moving as Mary J. preaches about the glory of love."[2] Vibe editor Lydia Arevalo declared the song a "disco-inspired single that's bound to take leave R&B fans uplifted and reminiscent."[3] Salvatore Maicki, writing for The Fader, called the song "a vibrantly disco-tinged number that fits naturally alongside the Kaytranada collaboration from [Blige's] last album, 2017's Strength of a Woman,"[4] while HotNewHipHop found that Blige "huffs disco salt on "Only Love," [...] produced by veteran duo Pop & Oak under the reflective glare of a disco ball, where Mary likely first struck her pose in junior high."[5]

## Chart performance

[edit]

"Only Love" entered the top ten on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs in the week ending September 2, 2018, becoming Blige's 23rd top ten hit on the chart.[6] This made her the artist with the most top ten entries on the Adult R&B Songs, breaking a tie Gerald Levert to claim first place.[6] "Only Love" eventually peaked at number five.[7] It also peaked at number 24 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.[8]

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Only Love."[1]

* Mary J. Blige – writer
* David "Lucky Daye" Brown – writer
* Marshall Bryant – recording assistant
* Allan Felder – writer (sample)
* Warren Felder – producer, writer
* Norman Harris – writer (sample)
* Charles Hinshaw – writer

* Jaycen Joshua – mixing
* Rashawn McLean – mixing assistant
* Jon Nettlesbey – recording assistant
* Jacob Richardsn – mixing assistant
* Mike Seabergn – mixing assistant
* Ron Tyson – writer (sample)
* Andrew Wansel – producer, writer

|

## Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for "Only Love"  Chart (2018)  | Peak
position

|

US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[7] | 5
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[8] | 24

## Release history

[edit]

Release history and formats for "Only Love"  Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Label  | Ref

|
|
|
|

United States  | July 12, 2018  | Digital download | Republic Records |

[9]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e Only Love (Media notes). Mary J. Blige. Republic. 2018.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
2. ^ a b Rizik, Chris. "First Listen: Mary J. Blige makes us smile with "Only Love"". SoulTracks. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
3. ^ Arevalo, Lydia (July 12, 2018). "Mary J. Blige Take Us To The Disco With "Only Love"". Vibe. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
4. ^ Salvatore, Maicki (July 12, 2018). "Hear Mary J. Blige's new song "Only Love"". The Fader. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
5. ^ "Huffs Disco Salt On "Only Love"". HotNewHipHop. September 26, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
6. ^ a b Anderson, Trevor (July 23, 2019). "Mary J. Blige Breaks Record for Most Top 10 Hits on Adult R&B Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
7. ^ a b "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
8. ^ a b "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
9. ^ "Mary J. Blige – Only Love". iTunes Store (US). July 12, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Mary J. Blige

* Awards and nominations
* Discography
* Videography
* Songs

Studio albums|

* What's the 411?
* My Life
* Share My World
* Mary
* No More Drama
* Love & Life
* The Breakthrough
* Growing Pains
* Stronger with Each Tear
* My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
* A Mary Christmas
* The London Sessions
* Strength of a Woman
* Good Morning Gorgeous
* Gratitude

Soundtrack albums|

* Think Like a Man Too

Live albums|

* The Tour

Remix albums|

* What's the 411? Remix
* Dance for Me

Compilation albums|

* Ballads
* Mary J. Blige & Friends
* Reflections (A Retrospective)

Concert tours|

* Share My World Tour
* The Breakthrough Experience Tour
* Heart of the City Tour
* Growing Pains European Tour
* Music Saved My Life Tour
* The Liberation Tour
* The London Sessions Tour
* King and Queen of Hearts World Tour
* Strength of a Woman Tour

Films|

* Mary J. Blige's My Life

Other|

* Super Bowl XXXV halftime show
* Super Bowl LVI halftime show

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Mary J. Blige singles

* Discography
* Songs

1990s singles|

* "You Remind Me"
* "Real Love"
* "Reminisce"
* "Sweet Thing"
* "Love No Limit"
* "You Don't Have to Worry"
* "My Love"
* "Be Happy"
* "Mary Jane (All Night Long)"
* " I'm Goin' Down"
* "You Bring Me Joy"
* "I Love You"
* "Love Is All We Need"
* "I Can Love You"
* "Everything"
* "Missing You"
* "Seven Days"
* "As"
* "All That I Can Say"
* "Deep Inside"

2000s singles|

* "Your Child"
* "Give Me You"
* "Family Affair"
* "No More Drama"
* "Dance for Me"
* "Rainy Dayz"
* "Love @ 1st Sight"
* "Ooh!"
* "Not Today"
* "Whenever I Say Your Name"
* "MJB da MVP"
* "Be Without You"
* "One"
* "Enough Cryin"
* "Take Me As I Am"
* "We Ride (I See the Future)"
* "Just Fine"
* "Work That"
* "Stay Down"
* "The One"
* "I Am"

2010s singles|

* "Each Tear"
* "We Got Hood Love"
* "Ain't Nobody"
* "25/8"
* "Don't Mind"
* "Mr. Wrong"
* "Why"
* "Love a Woman"
* "Someone to Love Me (Naked)"
* "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
* "This Christmas"
* "Suitcase"
* "Doubt"
* "Right Now"
* "Therapy"
* "Whole Damn Year"
* "Thick of It"
* "U + Me (Love Lesson)"
* "Love Yourself"
* "Set Me Free"
* "Only Love"
* "Thriving"
* "Know"

2020s singles|

* "Good Morning Gorgeous"
* "Amazing"
* "Still Believe in Love"
* "Breathing"
* "You Ain't the Only One"

Soundtracks|

* "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"
* "Not Gon' Cry"
* "Stronger"
* "The Living Proof"

Guest appearances|

* "911"
* "Ain't No Way"
* "America's Song"
* "Bridge over Troubled Water"
* "Can't Knock the Hustle"
* "Disrespectful"
* "F for You" (Remix)
* "Hands"
* "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By"
* "I'm a Hustla" (Remix)
* "IfULeave"
* "It's a Wrap" (Remix)
* "Come Close"
* "Just Stand Up!"
* "Lean on Me"
* "Magic Touch" (NYC Remix)
* "Remember Me"
* "Runaway Love"
* "Stay with Me" (Remix)
* "Touch It" (Remix)
* "Wake Up Call" (Mark Ronson Remix)
* "What Child Is This"
* "Where's the Love?"

* Category

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