My First Love
Encyclopedia
"My First Love" is a 1983 R&B Ballad
recorded by R&B duo René & Angela
on the Capitol
label and later a 2000 hit cover by Avant
and singer Keke Wyatt
.
When originally composed by René Moore
and Angela Winbush
, they had planned to produce it as a song for Janet Jackson
's self-titled debut solo LP
but Jackson reportedly turned it down.
Undaunted, the duo recorded the song themselves as a song on their third LP together, Rise. Before "My First Love", their biggest hit up to that point as a recording duo was the 1981 dance single "I Love You More", which peaked at number fourteen on the R&B singles chart.
When released in early 1983, the song gave them their biggest success up to that point reaching number twelve on the R&B chart setting a precedent for the duo's later hit ballads such as "Your Smile
" and "You Don't Have to Cry".
Avant's re-recording of the song helped to send the song back to the charts in 2000 reaching number four on the R&B charts and number twenty-six on the pop charts making it Rene & Angela's most successful recording as songwriters and prompted a brief comeback for Winbush who would take Wyatt's place in singing the song with Avant during a taping of BET
's 106 and Park to surprised audience members that year.
.
Slow jam
A slow jam an umbrella term for music with R&B and Soul influences. Slow jams are commonly R&B ballads or down tempo songs. The term is most commonly reserved for soft-sounding songs with heavily emotional or romantic lyrical content. This definition has led to intense debate over whether...
recorded by R&B duo René & Angela
René & Angela
René & Angela were an 1980s R&B duo consisting of artist/producers René Moore and Angela Winbush. The group dissolved by the mid 1980s. Both went on to successful solo careers as performers, songwriters, and producers.-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:...
on the Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
label and later a 2000 hit cover by Avant
Avant
Myron Avant , better known as Avant is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" , "My First Love," which one version features KeKe Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind"...
and singer Keke Wyatt
Keke Wyatt
Ketara Shavon "Keke" Wyatt is a multi-talented American R&B recording artist. She became popular after a highly successful collaboration with R&B singer Avant on his platinum album My Thoughts...
.
When originally composed by René Moore
Rene Moore
René Moore is an American singer-songwriter and producer, and is more memorable musically for hits he produced with his soul co-singer Angela Winbush as part of René & Angela, including "I'll Be Good," "Save Your Love ," "Your Smile," and "You Don't Have to Cry."-Biography:Moore and singer Angela...
and Angela Winbush
Angela Winbush
Angela Winbush is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter who rose to fame first in the 1980s R&B duo René & Angela, also scoring hits as a solo artist.-Early life and career:...
, they had planned to produce it as a song for Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
's self-titled debut solo LP
Janet Jackson (album)
Janet Jackson is the self-titled debut album by American recording artist Janet Jackson, released on September 21, 1982 by A&M Records. Jackson's career as a recording artist was established by her father and manager Joseph Jackson, who arranged her recording contract with A&M Records.The album's...
but Jackson reportedly turned it down.
Undaunted, the duo recorded the song themselves as a song on their third LP together, Rise. Before "My First Love", their biggest hit up to that point as a recording duo was the 1981 dance single "I Love You More", which peaked at number fourteen on the R&B singles chart.
When released in early 1983, the song gave them their biggest success up to that point reaching number twelve on the R&B chart setting a precedent for the duo's later hit ballads such as "Your Smile
Your Smile
"Your Smile" was the third single from René & Angela's album, Street Called Desire. "Your Smile" was the duo's second number-one single on Billboards R&B chart. It was also a minor hit on the Hot 100 peaking at number sixty-two. Along with the track, " Drive My Love", "Your Smile" was minor hit...
" and "You Don't Have to Cry".
Avant's re-recording of the song helped to send the song back to the charts in 2000 reaching number four on the R&B charts and number twenty-six on the pop charts making it Rene & Angela's most successful recording as songwriters and prompted a brief comeback for Winbush who would take Wyatt's place in singing the song with Avant during a taping of BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
's 106 and Park to surprised audience members that year.
Original version credits
- All vocals by Rene Moore and Angela Winbush
- Keyboards and synthesizers by Rene Moore and Angela Winbush
- Produced and written by Rene Moore and Angela Winbush
Sampled version
René & Angela's version of the song has been sampled in Masspike Miles - Hurt You So Good feat. Rick Ross, It was produced by the Australian Hip-Hop Producer M-PhazesM-Phazes
M-Phazes is an Australian Hip Hop producer and artist based in Melbourne, Victoria. Born on the Gold Coast he relocated to Melbourne to further his musical career...
.
- All vocals by Miles Wheeler and William Leonard Roberts IIRick Ross (rapper)William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
- Produced by Mark LandonM-PhazesM-Phazes is an Australian Hip Hop producer and artist based in Melbourne, Victoria. Born on the Gold Coast he relocated to Melbourne to further his musical career...