| "Still Believe in Love" | ||||
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| Single byMary J. Blige featuringVado | ||||
| Released | October 27, 2023 | |||
| Length | 4:06 | |||
| Label | Beautiful Life | |||
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| Mary J. Blige singles chronology | ||||
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"Still Believe in Love" is a song by American singerMary J. Blige. It was written by Blige,Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman,DJ Cassidy, Bradley Thomas, Jr., Eliott Trent, and guest vocalistVado, while production was helmed by Cassidy and Gitelman along withKuk Harrell and Jelli Dorman. The song contains a sample from "C.O.D. (I'll Deliver)" (1984) by American R&B groupMtume. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Mtume band membersJames Mtume andTawatha Agee are also credited as songwriters.
In September 2023, Blige first performed "Still Believe in Love" for the first time with Vado at the Hip Hop Forever concert.[1] The song was eventually released by Blige's record label Beautiful Life Music as a standalone single on October 27, 2023. In late 2023, it became Blige's eighth chart topper on theAdult R&B Songs chart. In early 2024, the song also peaked at number 12 on the USR&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
"Still Believe in Love" was written by Mary J. Blige along withJeff "Gitty" Gitelman,DJ Cassidy, Bradley Thomas, Jr., Eliott Trent, and guest vocalistVado.[2] Production was helmed by Cassidy and Gitelman along withKuk Harrell and Jelli Dorman.[2] The song contains a sample from "C.O.D. (I'll Deliver)" (1984) by American R&B groupMtume, written byJames Mtume andTawatha Agee, both of whom are also credited as songwriters.[2] Portions of the song while Blige was going through her divorce from Kendu Isaacs in 2016. In an interview withCBS Mornings, Blige spoke about the inspiration behind the song: "I was trying to believe in something other than what I was living in and dealing with, and that's hate, self-hate, you know? I started this journey during that marriage, that sparked the lyrics for "Good Morning Gorgeous," and that’s the love for myself. So I still believe in love. I'm not going to give up on love, I'm not going to give up on romance, I'm not going to give up on myself. I'm not going to do that."[3]
Gabriel Bras Nevares fromHotNewHipHop described "Still Believe in Love" as a "classic,Bad Boy-era R&B and hip-hop fusion as its instrumentation. With slick bass playing, bright keys and synth pads, plus some gorgeous vocal harmonies, it's a pretty fitting and effectively breezy throwback cut. Still, don't let that old-school feeling distract you from the modern sheen and crispness of the production."[4] Antwane Folk fromRated R&B commented on the song: "Beaming in energy and pure, optimistic joy, Blige sings about being selective in finding her next companion. Despite a previous failed romance, she remains open to new love, encouraging those who have gone through heartbreak to do the same."[5]
"Still Believe in Love" peaked at number 12 on the USR&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in the week January 13, 2024.[6] It also reached the top spot ofBillboard's USAdult R&B Songs chart,[7] becoming Blige's seventh number-one hit on the chart.[8] It would remain eight weeks atop the chart.[7]
A music video for "Still Believe in Love" was directed by Eif Rivera and filmed during Blige's vacation with friends and family on a yacht in front of theCapri shoreline in summer 2023.[9][5] RapperVado appears alongside Blige in the visuals.[5] It premiered online on October 3, 2023.[9]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Still Believe in Love."[2]
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| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref |
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| Various | October 27, 2023 | Digital download | Beautiful Life Music |
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