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.[1] Prior to her first release with Virgin, Jackson was asked by Jam and Lewis to record a song for the soundtrack 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 and Luther Vandross."[2] It was the first all-new song Jackson recorded at the new location of Flyte Tyme Studios in Edina, Minnesota, 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.[3] She had done re-recordings and remixes there from 1989 to 1991.
"The Best Things in Life Are Free" is an R&B, dance-pop and house song with a "steady beat".[4] It is written in the key of F♯m and their vocal ranges span from the low-note of F♯3 to C♯6.[4] The song is set in the signature of common time and has a moderate tempo of 120 pulsations per minute.[4] It follows the basic chord progression of B7m—C♯7m—F♯7.[4]
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "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."[5] Amy Linden from Entertainment Weekly commented, "While the combo of Janet Jackson and Luther Vandross may be a marketing dream, artistically it blows. The trademark busy groove that defines Janet buries Luther, who doesn’t need a crutch and who, when free of misguided arrangements, eats singers like Janet for lunch."[6]
John Martinucci from the Gavin Report said the duo "sound great together working over this high energy song".[7] Also Alan Jones from Music Week agreed that "it's appeal is in the super-smooth vocal combination of Janet and Luther", and named the single Pick of the Week.[8] Another Music Week editor, Andy Beevers, felt the track is "very catchy and funky".[9]Iestyn George from NME noted its "sweet soul tread" that "carry an equally refreshing air of simplicity."[10] Tom Doyle from Smash Hits described it as "a smooth club number with a dreamy soul feel and a rap from the "special guests" in the middle."[11]
In the United States, "The Best Things in Life Are Free" debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 the week of May 30, 1992.[12] Three weeks later, the song peaked at number 10 for three consecutive weeks and ended at number 41 on the year-end chart.[13][14][15][16] The song also peaked at number one on the BillboardHot R&B Singles chart.[15][17]
In the United Kingdom the song was released in August 1992 and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, spending 13 weeks in the chart.[18] It became Jackson's first top-ten hit in the UK since "Let's Wait Awhile" reached number three in 1987.[19] The song was remixed in 1995 and re-released, reaching number seven.[20] It was the remixed version that was included on international releases of Janet's compilation album Design of a Decade: 1986–1996. In Australia the single spent five consecutive weeks at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart,[21] spending 18 weeks on the chart, and was ranked at number six on the year-end chart.[22]
A music video was made for "The Best Things in Life Are Free", directed by American television director, producer, and writer Paris Barclay,[23] 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.
"A Little Bit of Mo' Money The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" consists of three snippets: "Money Can't Buy You Love" by Ralph Tresvant, "Let's Just Run Away" by Johnny Gill, and "Let's Get Together (So Groovy Now)" by Krush.
^Jon Bream (June 21, 1992), "On the Fast Track // Edina-based Producers Skip Hollywood Protocol in Lining Up Stars, Recording Movie's Soundtrack", Star Tribune, p. 01.F, ISSN0895-2825
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (Japanese CD single liner notes). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. POCM-1013.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. 31458 7406 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. 28968 0010 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (US cassette single cassette notes). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records. 1992. 28968 0010 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (UK CD single liner notes). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records, A&M Records. 1992. PERD 7400, 587 400-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records, A&M Records. 1992. PERT 7400, 587 400-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records, A&M Records. 1992. PERSS 7400, 587 400-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (UK cassette single sleeve). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records, A&M Records. 1992. PERCS 7400, 587 400-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (Australian CD single liner notes). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records, Polydor Records. 1992. 587 401-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (Australian cassette single sleeve). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. Perspective Records, Polydor Records. 1992. 587 401-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (UK CD1 liner notes). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1995. 581 309-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (UK cassette single sleeve). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1995. 581 309-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (UK CD2 liner notes). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1995. 581 311-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (French CD liner notes). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1995. 581 308-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (German CD liner notes). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1996. 581 496-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^The Best Things in Life Are Free (European maxi-CD liner notes). Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson. A&M Records. 1996. 581 497-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
