The Best Things in Life Are Free - wikipedia The Best Things in Life Are Free For the 1927 song, see The Best Things in Life Are Free ( 1927 song ). For the 1956 film, see The Best Things in Life Are Free ( film ). Some of this article 's listed sources may not be reliable. Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. ( April 2011 ) `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' Cover for the 1992 release Single by Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson with special guests Bell Biv DeVoe & Ralph Tresvant from the album Mo ' Money soundtrack ' and Design of a Decade : 1986 -- 1996 ( 1995 re-release ) B - side `` DMC Megamix ( 10 : 52 ) 1995 re-issue '' Released May 12, 1992 ( 1992 - 05 - 12 ) ( U.S. ) July 20, 1992 ( 1992 - 07 - 20 ) ( UK ) December 6, 1995 ( 1995 - 12 - 06 ) ( European / Australian re-release ) Format 7 '' single Recorded February -- March 1992 Flyte Tyme Studios ( Edina, Minnesota ) Aire L.A. Studios ( Glendale, California ) Record Plant ( Los Angeles, California ) Genre Dance - pop house R&B Length 4 : 36 ( Mo ' Money soundtrack w / BBD and Ralph Tresvant ) 4 : 04 ( 1995 re-issue ) Label Perspective A&M Songwriter ( s ) Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Michael Bivins Ronnie DeVoe Harry Wayne Casey Richard Finch Producer ( s ) Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Luther Vandross singles chronology `` Sometimes It 's Only Love '' ( 1992 ) `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( 1992 ) `` Little Miracles ( Happen Every Day ) '' ( 1993 ) `` Sometimes It 's Only Love '' ( 1992 ) `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( 1992 ) `` Little Miracles ( Happen Every Day ) '' ( 1993 ) Music video `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' on YouTube Janet Jackson singles chronology `` State of the World '' ( 1991 ) State of the World 1991 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( 1992 ) The Best Things in Life Are Free1992 `` That 's the Way Love Goes '' ( 1993 ) That 's the Way Love Goes 1993 Bell Biv DeVoe singles chronology `` Word to the Mutha ! '' ( 1991 ) Word to the Mutha ! 1991 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( 1992 ) The Best Things in Life Are Free1992 `` Gangsta '' ( 1993 ) Gangsta 1993 Ralph Tresvant singles chronology `` Money Ca n't Buy You Love '' ( 1992 ) Money Ca n't Buy You Love1992 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( 1992 ) The Best Things in Life Are Free1992 `` Who 's the Mack '' ( 1994 ) Who 's the Mack1994 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' is a duet between American singers Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson, recorded for the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis - produced soundtrack to the 1992 American film, Mo ' Money, starring Damon Wayans. It was later included on the compilations Design of a Decade : 1986 -- 1996 ( 1995 ), One Night with You : The Best of Love, Volume 2 ( 1997 ), Lovesongs ( 2009 ) and Number Ones ( 2009 ). The song was composed by Jam, Lewis and New Edition / Bell Biv DeVoe members Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe. Contents 1 Background 2 Information 3 Critical reception 4 Chart performance 5 Music video 6 Track listings and formats 7 Charts 7.1 Chart positions 7.2 Year - end charts 7.3 Certifications 8 See also 9 Notes 10 References 11 External links Background In March 1991, Jackson signed an unprecedented $32 million contract with Virgin Records, the largest record deal at the time, although it was quickly exceeded by her brother Michael and his label, Epic Records. Prior to her first release with Virgin, Jackson was asked by Jam and Lewis to record a song for the sound track to the feature film Mo ' Money, released in 1992 by their label Perspective Records. Jon Bream of the Star Tribune reported : `` For most movie soundtracks, producers negotiate with record companies, managers and lawyers for the services of big - name singers. Like the Hollywood outsiders that they are, Edina - based Jam and Lewis went directly to such stars as Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, Bell Biv DeVoe, Color Me Badd and Johnny Gill. '' A remixed version was later released in 1995. `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' is an R&B, dance - pop and house song with a `` steady beat. '' It is written in the key of F # m and their vocal ranges span from the low - note of F # 3 to C # 6. The song is set in the signature of common time and has a moderate tempo of 120 pulsations per minute. It follows the basic chord progression of B7m -- C # 7m -- F # 7. Information Jackson and Vandross were nominated for a Grammy Award for `` Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals '' for recording the song. It was the first all - new song Jackson recorded at the new location of Flyte Tyme Studios in Edina, MN, which was completed 2 months after wrapping up recording on her fourth studio album Rhythm Nation 1814 in May 1989 at the original Minneapolis studio. She had done re-recordings and remixes there from 1989 to 1991. Jackson included the song on her 2011 tour, Number Ones, Up Close and Personal and 2015 - 2016 Unbreakable World Tour. Critical reception Billboard wrote about the song : `` First peek into the hotly anticipated soundtrack to the film `` Mo ' Money '' is a glittery, star - studded pop / jack affair. Vandross and Jackson vocally swerve and weave around each other like they 've been singing together for years. Added flavor comes from guest raps by Bell Biv DeVoe and Tresvant. The true kudos, however, go to the masterful Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who have crafted a slammin ' track that would work no matter what. '' Chart Performance In the United States, `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' debuted at number 24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 the week of May 30, 1992. Three weeks later, the song peaked at number 10 for three consecutive weeks and ended at number 41 on the year - end chart. The song also peaked at number one on the Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs. In the United Kingdom the song was released in August 1992 and peaked at # 2 in the UK Singles Chart, spending 13 weeks in the chart. It became Jackson 's first top ten hit in the UK since `` Let 's Wait Awhile '' reached # 3 in 1987. The song was remixed in 1995 and re-released, reaching # 7. It was the remixed version that was included on international releases of Janet 's compilation album Design of a Decade : 1986 -- 1996. It spent 5 consecutive weeks at # 2 on the Australian Singles Chart, spending 18 weeks on the chart, And charting at # 6 On the Year ends chart. Music video A music video was made for the song, although neither Vandross nor Jackson appear in it. Instead, the video features Mo ' Money 's stars Damon Wayans and Stacey Dash, at a carnival, lip - synching to the song ; Damon 's brother Marlon Wayans, who also appears in Mo ' Money, has a cameo appearance in the video. Also included on the track is Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe of Bell Biv DeVoe. Ralph Tresvant also has a very brief spoken line. He appears solo on the song `` Money Ca n't Buy You Love '' from the soundtrack. Track listings and formats EU / Australian maxi - CD single `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( LP version ) -- 4 : 36 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( Instrumental ) -- 4 : 28 Snippets : `` Money Ca n't Buy You Love '' * `` Let 's Just Run Away '' * `` Let 's Get Together ( So Groovy Now ) * * Track not performed by Jackson or Vandross UK maxi - CD single `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( C.J. 's U.K. 7 '' w / Rap ) -- 5 : 32 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( C.J. 's U.K. 12 '' w / Rap ) -- 7 : 12 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( Classic 7 '' w / Rap ) -- 4 : 22 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( Classic 12 '' w / Rap ) -- 5 : 53 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( Def Version ) -- 8 : 41 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( CJ 's UK Dub 1 ) -- 6 : 46 US CD single `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( Classic 12 '' w / Rap ) -- 5 : 53 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( C.J. 's U.K. 12 '' w / Rap ) -- 9 : 58 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( Def Version ) -- 8 : 41 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( C.J. 's FXTC Dub ) -- 6 : 51 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( C.J. 's Vinyl Zone Dub ) -- 6 : 49 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( LP version ) -- 4 : 36 1995 UK CD single `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( K - Klass 7 '' edit ) -- 4 : 22 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( S - Man 's Salsoul Vibe ) -- 11 : 40 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( K - Klass 12 '' Mix ) -- 8 : 54 1995 UK maxi - CD single `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( K - Klass 7 `` ) -- 4 : 22 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( K - Klass 12 `` ) -- 8 : 54 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( MK 12 `` ) -- 7 : 25 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( The S - Man Salsoul Vibe ) -- 11 : 40 `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( CJ Mackintosh Original Remix ) -- 7 : 13 Charts Chart positions Chart ( 1992 -- 95 ) Peak position Australian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart 8 Dutch Top 40 24 German Singles Chart 8 Irish Singles Chart 6 New Zealand Singles Chart 6 Scottish Singles Chart 14 Swedish Singles Chart 36 Swiss Singles Chart 32 UK Singles Chart US Billboard Hot 100 10 US Billboard Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs Year - end charts Chart ( 1992 ) Position Australian Singles Chart 6 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 44 UK Singles Chart 17 US Billboard Hot 100 41 Certifications Country Certification ( sales thresholds ) Australia Platinum United Kingdom Silver See also List of number - one R&B singles of 1992 ( U.S. ) Notes Jump up ^ Fred Bronson 2003, p. 817 Jump up ^ Jon Bream ( 1992 - 06 - 21 ), `` On the Fast Track / / Edina - based Producers Skip Hollywood Protocol in Lining Up Stars, Recording Movie 's Soundtrack '', Star Tribune, p. 01. F, ISSN 0895 - 2825 ^ Jump up to : Janet Jackson - The Best Things in Life Are Free Sheet Music ( Digital Download ). Musicnotes.com. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on April 26, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Billboard : Single Reviews '' ( PDF ). Billboard magazine. Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 25. Jump up ^ `` The Billboard Hot 100 : Week Ending of May 30, 1992 ''. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2012 - 05 - 13. Jump up ^ DeKnock, Jan ( 1992 - 06 - 12 ). `` Kris Kross ` Jumps ' to new record ''. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2012 - 05 - 13. Jump up ^ DeKnock, Jan ( 1992 - 06 - 26 ). `` Chart action slows as summer arrives ''. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2012 - 05 - 13. ^ Jump up to : `` The Best Things in Life Are Free - Luther Vandross ''. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. ^ Jump up to : `` Top Pop Singles 1992 ''. Billboard. Nielsen Media Business, Inc. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 02. Jump up ^ Joel Whitburn 2004, p. 811 Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 50 Singles 1992 ''. Aria.com.au. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 26. Jump up ^ The Best Things in Life Are Free ( EU maxi CD Single liner notes ). Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. 390 875 - 2. Jump up ^ The Best Things in Life Are Free ( Australian CD Single liner notes ). Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. 587 401 - 2. Jump up ^ The Best Things in Life Are Free ( Australian CD Single liner notes ). Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. 587 400 - 2. Jump up ^ The Best Things in Life Are Free ( Australian CD Single liner notes ). Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. 31458 7406 - 2. Jump up ^ The Best Things in Life Are Free ( Australian CD Single liner notes ). Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. 581 497 - 2. Jump up ^ The Best Things in Life Are Free ( Australian CD Single liner notes ). Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. 581 311 - 2. Jump up ^ `` Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson - The Best Things in Life Are Free ( song ) ''. australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Top Singles - Volume 56, No. 4, July 25, 1992 ''. RPM. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- week 32 -- 1992 ''. Radio 538 ( in Dutch ). Top 40. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Hits of the World ''. Billboard. 1992 - 11 - 28. ISSN 0006 - 2510. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ `` The Irish Charts - All there is to know ''. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson - The Best Things in Life Are Free ( song ) ''. Sverigetopplistan. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. ^ Jump up to : `` Chart Stats -- Janet Jackson -- That 's The Way Love Goes ''. The Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson - The Best Things in Life Are Free ( song ) ''. Sverigetopplistan. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson - The Best Things in Life Are Free ( song ) ''. Sverigetopplistan. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 50 Singles 1992 ''. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 02. Jump up ^ `` End of Year Charts 1992 ''. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017. Jump up ^ Christopher Dean ( 2011 - 04 - 07 ). `` Australian Fun Countdowns : Accreditation Awards ''. Australianfuncountdowns.blogspot.com.au. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 26. Jump up ^ `` BPI Certified Awards ''. British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 2009 - 09 - 24. Retrieved 2012 - 04 - 02. References Bronson, Fred ( 2003 ), The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits, Billboard Books, ISBN 0823076776 Dyson, Michael Eric ( 1993 ), Reflecting Black : African - American Cultural Criticism, University of Minnesota Press, ISBN 0816621411 Whitburn, Joel ( 2004 ), Top R&B / Hip - Hop Singles : 1942 -- 2004, Record Research Inc., ISBN 0898201608 External links luthervandross.com Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Luther Vandross Studio albums Never Too Much Forever, for Always, for Love Busy Body The Night I Fell in Love Give Me the Reason Any Love Power of Love Never Let Me Go Songs This Is Christmas Your Secret Love I Know Luther Vandross Dance with My Father Compilation albums The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love One Night with You : The Best of Love, Volume 2 Love Is on the Way Always & Forever : The Classics Greatest Hits Super Hits Smooth Love The Ultimate Luther Vandross Stop to Love The Very Best of Love The Essential Luther Vandross Artist Collection Love, Luther Lovesongs Holiday Albums This Is Christmas Live albums Live Radio City Music Hall 2003 Live Video DVDs Luther Vandross : Live at Wembley ( 1989 ) Always and Forever : An Evening of Songs ( 1994 ) Other albums Luther ( Luther ) This Close to You ( Luther ) The Glow of Love ( Change ) Singles `` Never Too Much '' `` Do n't You Know That ? '' `` If This World Were Mine '' ( with Cheryl Lynn ) `` '' Bad Boy `` / '' Having a Party '' `` Since I Lost My Baby '' `` How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye '' ( with Dionne Warwick ) `` I 'll Let You Slide '' `` Superstar '' / `` Until You Come Back to Me ( That 's What I 'm Gonna Do '' ( medley ) `` ' Til My Baby Comes Home '' `` It 's Over Now '' `` Wait for Love '' `` Give Me the Reason '' `` Stop to Love '' `` There 's Nothing Better Than Love '' ( with Gregory Hines ) `` I Really Did n't Mean It '' `` Any Love '' `` She Wo n't Talk to Me '' `` For You to Love '' `` Here and Now '' `` Power of Love / Love Power '' ( medley ) `` Do n't Want to Be a Fool '' `` The Rush '' `` Sometimes It 's Only Love `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' ( with Janet Jackson ) `` Little Miracles ( Happen Every Day ) '' `` Heaven Knows '' `` Never Let Me Go '' `` Endless Love '' ( with Mariah Carey ) `` Always and Forever '' `` Love the One You 're With '' / `` Going in Circles '' `` Your Secret Love '' `` I Can Make It Better '' `` Nights in Harlem '' `` Take You Out '' `` I 'd Rather '' `` Dance with My Father '' `` Think About You '' `` Buy Me a Rose `` Shine '' Related articles Luther Vandross discography Change ( band ) Luther ( group ) List of Luther Vandross tours Forever, for Always, for Luther So Amazing : An All - Star Tribute to Luther Vandross Forever, for Always, for Luther Volume II Book : Luther Vandross Janet Jackson Discography Videography Filmography Awards and nominations Studio albums Janet Jackson Dream Street Control Janet Jackson 's Rhythm Nation 1814 Janet The Velvet Rope All for You Damita Jo 20 Y.O. Discipline Unbreakable Compilation albums Design of a Decade : 1986 -- 1996 Number Ones Icon : Number Ones Remix albums Control : The Remixes Janet Remixed Video releases Janet Design of a Decade 1986 / 1996 The Velvet Rope Tour -- Live in Concert All for You ( DVD Edition ) Live in Hawaii From Janet to Damita Jo : The Videos Tours Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 Janet World Tour The Velvet Rope Tour All for You Tour Rock Witchu Tour Number Ones, Up Close and Personal Unbreakable World Tour State of the World Tour Books True You : A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself Related articles The Jacksons Rhythm Nation Records Janet Jackson as a gay icon Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis René Elizondo, Jr. Jackson family Book Portal Singles Bell Biv DeVoe Ricky Bell Michael Bivins Ronnie DeVoe Albums Studio Poison ( 1990 ) Hootie Mack ( 1993 ) BBD ( 2001 ) Three Stripes ( 2017 ) Remix WBBD - Bootcity ! : The Remix Album ( 1991 ) Singles `` Poison '' `` Do Me ! '' `` B.B.D. ( I Thought It Was Me ) ? '' `` When Will I See You Smile Again ? '' `` She 's Dope ! '' `` Word to the Mutha ! '' `` Gangsta '' `` Above the Rim '' `` Something in Your Eyes '' Featured singles `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' Related articles New Edition Biv 10 Records Ralph Tresvant Albums Ralph Tresvant It 's Goin ' Down Rizz - Wa - Faire Singles `` Sensitivity '' `` Stone Cold Gentleman '' `` Do What I Gotta Do '' `` Rated R '' `` Yo, Baby, Yo ! '' `` Money Ca n't Buy You Love '' `` Who 's the Mack '' `` When I Need Somebody '' `` My Homegirl '' Featured singles `` Word to the Mutha ! '' `` The Best Things in Life Are Free '' `` Old Thing Back '' Related articles New Edition Heads of State Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Best_Things_in_Life_Are_Free&oldid=837237372 '' Categories : 1992 singles 1995 singles Billboard Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs number - one singles Disco songs Vocal trios Janet Jackson songs Prince ( musician ) songs Luther Vandross songs Songs written for films Vocal duets Songs written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Songs written by Ronnie DeVoe Songs written by Michael Bivins 1992 songs A&M Records singles New jack swing songs House music songs Hidden categories : CS1 Dutch - language sources ( nl ) Articles lacking reliable references from April 2011 All articles lacking reliable references Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters Articles with hAudio microformats Talk Contents About Wikipedia Français Italiano Magyar Türkçe Edit links This page was last edited on 19 April 2018, at 15 : 32. 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Question: who sang best things in life are free
Answer: Luther Vandross