My Love (Mary J. Blige song) explained

My Love
Cover:	Mary_J._Blige_-_My_Love.jpeg
Type:	single
Artist:	Mary J. Blige featuring Heavy D
Album:	What's the 411? and What's the 411? Remix
B-Side:	Reminisce
Released:	1993 (Promo)
Length:	4:11 (album version) 3:56 (radio version) 7:13 (remix version)
Label:	Uptown MCA
Producer:	Dave Hall (original album version) Teddy Riley (single remix) Walter "Mucho" Scott (single remix) Sprague "Doogie" Willams (single remix)
Chronology:	Mary J. Blige
Prev Title:	You Don't Have to Worry
Prev Year:	1993
Next Title:	Be Happy
Next Year:	1994

"My Love" is a song by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige from her debut album, What's the 411? (1992). The song, released by Uptown and MCA, was co-written by singer-songwriter Kenny Greene and Dave Hall, who served as the song's original producer. It peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart in 1994, becoming Blige's second single to reach the top 40 in the United Kingdom.

Lyrics and composition

The lyrics discuss Mary J. Blige's relationship with her ex-lover, after his failed relationship with the woman he left Blige for he wants to come back and start over. This causes her to wonder "what you're gonna do without my love?"

Versions

The original version is featured on Blige's debut album. A Teddy Riley-produced remix of the song, featuring rapper Heavy D, was released a promotional single in 1994; this version is found on Blige's 1993 What's the 411? Remix album, in a longer form.

Critical reception

Chris Roberts from Melody Maker felt that on the track, "Mary J Blige obligingly does that sleek swing thing of hers to sapid, even Sapphic, effect."^[1]

Track listings

• US cassette single^[2]

1. "My Love" (Hip Hop with Rap)  - 3:56
2. "My Love" (New Jack Jazz)  - 6:15

• US cassette maxi single^[3]

1. "My Love" (Hip Hop with Rap)  - 3:56
2. "My Love" (Street Mix 1)  - 6:35
3. "My Love" (New Jack Jazz)  - 6:15
4. "My Love" (TR and Mary Mix)  - 4:02
5. "My Love" (Acapella)  - 3:52

• UK cassette single^[4]

1. "My Love" (Radio Mix)  - 3:56
2. "My Love" (Album Version)  - 4:14

• UK CD single^[5] and UK 12" single  - version 1^[6]

1. "My Love" (Radio Mix)  - 3:56
2. "My Love" (On Da Street)  - 6:35
3. "Reminisce" (Uno Clio Mix)  - 6:14
4. "Reminisce" (Sure is Pure Dub Two)  - 7:16

• UK 12" single  - version 2^[7]

1. "My Love" (Album Version)  - 4:14
2. "Reminisce" (D&D Dub)  - 6:20
3. "Reminisce" (S.D.A. Dub)  - 9:09
4. "Reminisce" (Sure is Pure Dub One)  - 6:36

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1994)	Peak position
UK Dance (Music Week)^[8]	3
UK Club Chart (Music Week)^[9]	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1994)	Position
UK Club Chart (Music Week)^[10]	34
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[11]	100

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	March 1994
United Kingdom	May 2, 1994			^[12]

Notes and References

1. Chris. Roberts. Singles. Melody Maker. May 14, 1994. 29. September 6, 2023.
2. My Love. Mary J. Blige. 1994. US Cassette single liner notes. MCA Records. UPTCS-54789.
3. My Love. Mary J. Blige. 1994. US Maxi Cassette single liner notes. MCA Records. UPTM-54481.
4. My Love. Mary J. Blige. 1994. UK Cassette single liner notes. MCA Records. MCSC 1972.
5. My Love. Mary J. Blige. 1994. UK CD single liner notes. MCA Records. MCSTD 1972.
6. My Love. Mary J. Blige. 1994. UK 12" single liner notes. MCA Records. MCST 1972.
7. My Love. Mary J. Blige. 1994. UK 12" single liner notes. MCA Records. MCSX 1972.
8. Dance Singles . . May 14, 1994 . 28 . April 25, 2021.
9. The RM Club Chart. Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). April 23, 1994. 4. May 15, 2023.
10. The RM Club Chart of the Year. Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). December 24, 1994. 10. May 20, 2023.
11. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1994. Billboard. October 22, 2021.
12. Single Releases. Music Week. 21. April 30, 1994.