The Best Things in Life Are Free

Infobox Single
Name = The Best Things in Life Are Free


Artist = Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson
Album = Mo' Money "soundtrack'
Released = May 12, 1992 (U.S.)
July 20, 1992 (UK)
December 1995 (European/Australian re-release)
B-Side = DMC Megamix (10:52)
1995 re-issue
Format = 7" single, airplay
Genre = R&B, pop
Length = 4:36
Label = Perspective, A&M
Writer = Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown, Ray Henderson
Producer = Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Certification =
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Luther Vandross
Type = singles
Last single = "Power of Love/Love Power"
(1991)
This single = "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
(1992)
Next single = "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)"
(1993)Extra chronology
Artist = Janet Jackson
Type = singles
Last album = "State of the World"
(1991)
This album = "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
(1992)
Next album = "That's the Way Love Goes"
(1993)Extra track listing
Album = Mo' Money soundtrack
Type = soundtrack
prev_track = "For You? Free"
prev_no = 2
this_track = "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
track_no = 3
next_track = "Gimme My 2 Dollars"
next_no = 4 Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate covers
Type = single


Lower caption = U.K. 1995 CD single cover Extra album cover 2
Type = single


Lower caption = U.K. 1995 Limited Edition Remix CD single cover Extra album cover 2
Type = single


Lower caption = U.K. 1995 12" double promo vinyl cover

"The Best Things in Life Are Free" is a song by Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross.

Song information

Released in 1992, the song was original recorded for the "Mo' Money" soundtrack. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals". The single was remixed and re-released as a single in 1995 in the UK, as it appears on the international edition of Jackson's first greatest hits package "Design of a Decade 1986/1996" released that year. The song was covered by Katie Price and Peter Andre for their album "A Whole New World" in 2006.

Chart performance

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. The single was a staple on pop and R&B radio during the summer of 1992, spending 18 weeks in the Top 40, through September 26, 1992

Music video

The video features cameos by Damon and Marlon Wayans and Stacey Dash, but neither Vandross nor Jackson appear in the video. A rap from Bell Biv Devoe and a spoken part by Ralph Tresvant are also in the song. It has never been commercially released.

Track listings and formats

1992 Original Release

;EU Maxi-CD Single (390 875-2) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/638454 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ] ;Australian CD Single (587 401-2) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/668348 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# LP Version - 4:36
# Instrumental - 4:28
# Snippets: "Money Can't Buy You Love"*
"Let's Just Run Away"*
"Let's Get Together (So Groovy Now)*

*Track not performed by Jackson or Vandross

;EU CD Single (587 409-2) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/910514 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# Classic 7" w/Rap - 4:22
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
# Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53

;UK 12" Vinyl (PERT 7400) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/55718 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson With Special Guests BBD* & Ralph Tresvant - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# LP Version - 4:36
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
# C.J.'s Macapella - 6:21
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
# Def Version - 8:41
# CJ's UK Dub 1 - 6:46

;UK Maxi-CD Single (PERD 7400, 587 400-2) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/159546 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# C.J.'s U.K. 7" w/Rap - 4:18
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
# Classic 7" w/Rap - 4:22
# Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53
# Def Version - 8:41
# CJ's UK Dub 1 - 6:46

;US 12" Vinyl (31458 7406 1) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/351667 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53
# Def Version - 8:41
# LP Version - 4:36
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
# C.J.'s FXTC Dub - 6:51
# C.J.'s Vinyl Zone Dub - 6:49

;US CD Single (31458 7406-2) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/174496 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
# Def Version - 8:41
# C.J.'s FXTC Dub - 6:51
# C.J.'s Vinyl Zone Dub - 6:49
# LP Version - 4:36

;US 2 x 12" Promo Vinyl (31458 8003 1) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/443140 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:54
# Classic 12" w/o Rap - 5:42
# Def Version - 8:41
# Dub Mix - 4:27
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 10:01
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/o Rap) - 9:57
# C.J.'s FXTC Dub - 6:51
# C.J.'s Vinyl Zone Dub - 6:49

;US Promo CD Single (31458 8003 2) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/731519 Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# Classic 7" w/Rap - 4:22
# Classic 7" w/o Rap - 4:03
# C.J.'s U.K. 7" w/Rap - 4:18
# C.J.'s U.K. 7" w/o Rap - 4:17
# Classic 12" w/Rap - 5:53
# Classic 12" w/o Rap - 5:42
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/Rap - 9:58
# C.J.'s U.K. 12" w/o Rap - 9:55
# Def Version - 8:41

1995 Remix Re-release

;UK 2 x 12" Promo Vinyl (AMPMDJ 028) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/156934 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# S-Man's Salsoul Vibe - 11:40
# Roger's Nasty Dub - 8:20
# S-Man's Ill Dub - 6:50
# S-Man's Deep Dub Remix - 7:10
# Bonus Beats - 4:00

;UK 2 x 12" Vinyl (581 445-1)(Limited Edition) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/541651 Luther Vandross / Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# S-Man's Salsoul Vibe Remix - 7:00
# S-Man's Deep Dub Remix - 7:10
# Roger's Nasty Remix - 7:20
# Bonus Beats - 4:00
# MK Remix - 7:25
# S-Man's Ill Dub - 6:50
# K-Klass 12" Remix - 9:27
# CJ's Dub Remix - 6:10

;UK CD Single (581 497-2) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/961983 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# K Klass 7" - 4:22
# S-Man's Salsoul Vibe - 11:40
# K Klass 12" - 8:54

;UK Maxi-CD Single (581 311-2) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/174482 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# K Klass 7" - 4:22
# K Klass 12" - 8:54
# MK 12" - 7:25
# The S-Man Salsoul Vibe - 11:40
# CJ Mackintosh Original Remix - 7:13

;UK Maxi-CD Single (581 697-2)(Limited Edition) [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/92977 Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free ] ]
# S-Man's Salsoul Vibe - 11:40
# K Klass 12" - 8:54
# Roger's Nasty Dub - 8:20
# Roger's Ill Dub - 7:44
# Roger's Deep Dub - 7:32
# CJ Mackintosh Original Remix - 9:55

Official remixes

1992

* LP Version (4:36)
* Instrumental (4:29)
* CJ's UK 12" w/ Rap (9:58)
* CJ's UK 12" w/o Rap (9:55)
* CJ's UK 12" Edit (7:12)
* CJ's Macapella (6:21)
* CJ's UK 7" w/ Rap (4:18)
* CJ's UK 7" w/o Rap (4:17)
* Classic 12" w/ Rap (5:53)
* Classic 12" w/o Rap (5:42)
* Classic 7" w/ Rap (4:22)
* Classic 7" w/o Rap (4:03)
* Def Version (8:41)
* CJ's FXTC Dub/UK Dub #1 (6:51)
* CJ's Vinyl Zone Dub/UK Dub #2 (6:49)
* Dub Mix (4:27)

1995

* MK 12" (7:25)
* Roger's Nasty Dub (8:20)
* Roger's Bonus Beats (4:00)
* S-Man Salsoul Vibe (11:40)
* S-Man Salsoul Vibe Edit (7:00)
* S-Man Deep Dub (7:32)
* S-Man Ill Dub (7:44)
* K-Klass 7" (4:23)
* K-Klass 12" (CD Version) (8:50)
* K-Klass 12" (Vinyl Version) (9:27)

Charts

References