Tag Archives: David Fincher

Celebrating Jody Watley’s ‘Real Love’: Chart Success and Fashion Impact

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March 18, 1989, marked the release of Jody Watley’s 6th smash hit solo single “Real Love” a song that solidified her status as a music and style icon. 

The second single from her platinum selling Larger Than Life album dominated the charts, hitting #1 on both the Billboard R&B AND Dance charts and soaring to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also achieved Gold certification, selling nearly a million copies. The song was written by Jody Watley and Andre Cymone and produced by Cymone for MCA Records.

Beyond its chart success, “Real Love” made history at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards earning six nominations – one of the most nominated in the award show’s history. The stylish high fashion visuals directed by David Fincher, showcased Watley’s trendsetting influence, cementing her as a force in both music and fashion.

Decades later “Real Love” remains a timeless anthem of empowerment and independence. As we celebrate this milestone, it’s clear Jody Watley’s impact is as powerful as ever.

Download, Stream, Watch the Official Video – AGAIN on YouTube and work that runway walk!

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we celebrate Jody Watley. Learn more about the ongoing and diverse Jody Watley Discography

OTD. May 6, 1989 – Happy Anniversary ‘Real Love’

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Jody Watley by Steven Meisel. Photography for Real Love single.
Jody Watley. Real Love.

May 6, 1989:

“Real Love” Peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B AND Dance charts!!

Written by Jody Watley, A. Cymone

*Billboard® Chart History*#2 on Hot 100

One of the biggest Pop and R&B singles of 1989 – The David Fincher directed video remains one of the most nominated of all time with 6 noms.

Wattage!

Happy 32 Anniversary – Jody Watley – Larger Than Life Album

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Jody Watley – Larger Than Life. Cover Art: Photography by Steven Meisel

Released #OTD March 27, 1989:

“Larger Than Life”

The platinum second Solo album

by GRAMMY® winner Jody Watley

Featured Billboard Multi-Chart Top 10 Hits

“Real Love”

“Friends” (ft. Eric B. & Rakim *groundbreaker)

“Everything”

Along with the breezy 4th single “Precious Love”

Fashion forward visuals, a groundbreaking collaboration “Friends” ft Eric B & Rakim and one of MTV’s most nominated videos “Real Love” directed by David Fincher – the concept of “Larger Than Life” was the mindset of going big for your dreams – make it memorable – make it big! Some of my favorite non singles are “Something New” “For Loves Sake” “Once You Leave” .. proud of the entire album! Loved the tour as well, despite efforts behind the scenes to undermine and sabotage it – saving that for my memoir.

Happy Anniversary and here’s to always making life memorable, having a vision for yourself, making goals and exceeding expectations.

Wattage!

Happy 32 Jody Watley – Real Love.

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Jody Watley – Real Love. 1989.

March 18, 1989 – : Jody Watley debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart with her single, “Real Love.” “Real Love” became her 4th Top Ten peaking at No. 2 for 2 weeks and was prevented from the top spot which was occupied by Paula Abdul’s “Forever Your Girl.”

“Real Love” also spent one week at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B and Dance Charts and was certified Gold.

The David Fincher directed fashion forward video remains one of the most nominated of all time for the MTV Awards.

“Real Love” written by Watley and Andre Cymone.

Cover Photography by Steven Meisel.

Between 1987-98, Watley charted 12 solo singles on the Hot 100 which included 7 Top 20’s and 6 Top Tens.

As a Solo Artist Watley has charted hits on multiple charts in an eclectic ongoing catalog ranging from Hot 100, R&B, Dance/Club, Electronica, Adult Contemporary, Jazz:: 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, 10’s

Jody Watley won the Best New Artist Grammy for 1987.

Please click the following link to view the accompanying video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-FUquLYdxQ

Jody Watley – “Larger Than Life Album” Turns 30

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Albumism: Happy 30th Anniversary to Jody Watley’s Second Solo Album “Larger Than Life” Originally Released March 27, 1989 – Read it Here on Albumism

Happy Music Anniversary to my second solo album “Larger Than Life” featuring Top 10 singles “Real Love” the groundbreaking collaboration with Eric B & Rakim “Friends” the ballad “Everything” as well as the beautiful “Precious Love” :: The album cover with photography by legendary fashion Steven Meisel and Art Direction by Lynn Robb and I, is also in 1000 Album Covers published by Taschen.

Jody Watley. Real Love 30.

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Happy Music Anniversary “Real Love” !

OTD March 18, 1989 – Via Steven Housman Billboard Music Chart Facts :: Jody Watley debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart with her single, “Real Love.” This was Watley’s 6th entry on the chart as a solo performer after spending 7 years as the female singer for the R&B dance trio, #Shalamar. “Real Love” became her 4th Top Ten peaking at No. 2 for 2 weeks and was prevented from the top spot which was occupied by Paula Abdul’s “Forever Your Girl.” “Real Love” also spent one week at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B Chart and was certified Gold and No.1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Play Chart.

The fashion forward video directed by David Fincher remains one of MTV’s Most Nominated Videos Of All Time. “Real Love” was written by Watley and Andre Cymone. Between 1987-98, Watley charted 12 solo singles on the Hot 100 alone which included 7 Top 20’s and 6 Top Tens. She won the Best New Artist Grammy for 1987.

Single photography by Steven Meisel. Hair: Oribe Makeup: Francois NARS Art Direction: Lynn Robb and Jody Watley.

Styling: Jody Watley

Wattage!

“Accept no substitutes- always go for the real thing..”

Jody Watley. Classic Photo of The Day. Blues and Soul. UK

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#TBT On The Cover of the UK Music Magazine Blues and Soul in 1989.

#TBT On The Cover of the UK Music Magazine Blues and Soul in 1989.

Celebrating 25 years of my second album. Most fans think of my solo debut as the breakthrough and it was – as well as being trendsetting in style and video. However my second album is the one that was really quietly the most pioneering and to me overshadowed. My infusion of high fashion, commercial ad campaigns and layouts – uncommon for any black artist at the time, and only by one other Madonna. ‘Larger Than Life’ ushered in a raised bar for other female artists that would follow.  The pioneering “Friends”  featuring Eric B & Rakim; the first to feature Pop/R&B/Hip-Hop 16 bar verses and crossing over R&B, Pop, Dance, Hip Hop – as well as a genre crossing video featuring transgender, drag queens, underground club culture, B-Boys and Girls, voguing and Jean Paul-Gaultier couture blended into a mix of high end and street chic as well as my highest charting ballad ‘Everything.” There was no press release to stir controversy and bring attention about the casting of the video – for me it wasn’t about that. Everyone in the video was real, friends of friends – not models or professionals. Tyrone Procter helped cast it. Eric B and Rakim called some of their friends. What I wanted to represent the types of clubs I liked dancing at full of of types of people united by the music and stepping out in style to get down on the dance floor. It was a real club scene in the west village on a hot summer afternoon in NYC. It went over the heads of a lot of people..my label didn’t know what to make of it, and weren’t happy with it – but let me do what I envisioned and I’m thankful.

I also found success overseas in the Japan, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom among others as well. It was always a challenge because I wasn’t the typical ‘urban black artist’ and was always in a struggle to shine on my own terms, remaining true to myself, wanting to have standards, authenticity to my artistry. 25 years later this is still true in everything I do whether on the commercial radar or not. It’s true no matter what your job or career is – be the best you.

“Real Love” which remains one of MTV’s Most Nominated Video’s and “Most of All” are featured on the Top 28 David Fincher video’s : HERE 

Photography: Steven Meisel

Makeup: Francois NARS

Hair: Oribe

Art Direction: Lynn Robb and Jody Watley

Produced by Andre Cymone

Executive Producer:  Jody Watley

#itsinthemusic #JodyWatley

Jody Watley. Real Love Celebrates 25 Years.

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When I look at my children, I think of the passage of time primarily, otherwise I just live life. Thinking it’s been 25 years since my second album and ‘Real Love’ makes me smile. I remain proud of the work. The single was written by Andre Cymone and I  – he the music, me the lyric and melody. The video was directed by David Fincher (who went on to become an Academy Award winning director) and who fulfilled my wish when I told him I wanted to be on the runway – fashion forward. It all holds up quite well 25 years later…and so have I!

 

Julio Castiglioni posted to my Facebook page today: “This week, 25 years ago, REAL LOVE reached the #2 in Billboard Hot 100. Good times in music!”

Jody Watley “Real Love” on Wikipedia: Here

Via Instagram: Vernon Sze Jody Watley My tribute to Larger Than Life and Real Life 25th Anniversary: http://instagram.com/p/oYpxlpIgi5/