Tru Love (song)

"Tru Love"
Single by Faith Evans
from the album The First Lady
Released	October 25, 2005
Length	3:41
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Johnta Austin Bryan Michael Cox Jermaine Dupri Faith Evans
Producer(s)	Dupri Cox
Faith Evans singles chronology
"Mesmerized" (2005) "Tru Love" (2005) "Got 2 Be Down" (2007)

"Tru Love" is a song by American recording artist Faith Evans. It was written by Evans along with Johnta Austin, Bryan Michael Cox, and Jermaine Dupri for her fourth studio album The First Lady (2005), while its production was handled by the latter two. The contemporary R&B ballad was released as the album's third and final single in October 2005 and reached number 27 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Background

"Tru Love" was penned by Evans along with singer Johnta Austin and producers Bryan Michael Cox, and Jermaine Dupri.^[1] Phil Tan and Dupri mixed the track, while Brad Todd handled the recording of "Tru Love".^[1] Built along a harp, the song is a contemporary R&B ballad reminiscent of other Cox/Dupri collaborations at that time, including Usher’s "Burn," which was released a year prior.^[2]

Critical reception

The song garnered a generally mixed to positive reception from music critics. MusicOMH's Sam Shepherd stated that "Tru Love" was "an understated love song, and it allows Evans to show off an impeccable timing in her delivery." He however felt that "sadly there is little weight or edge to the song and it fails to impress."^[3] Michael Benning from Blogcritics ranked "Tru Love" among those tracks which showed "off [Evan's] ability to drive slower numbers with sultry relaxed vocals."^[4] On the other hand, Raymond Fiore from Entertainment Weekly found that the album was "blemished by a few toothless slow jams" such as "Tru Love" and album cut "Ever Wonder."^[5]

Track listings

Promo 12" single[6] "Tru Love" (album version) – 3:41 "Tru Love" (instrumental) – 3:41 "Tru Love" (a cappella) – 3:41 "Mesmerized" (Desert Storm remix radio edit, featuring Snoop Dogg) – 3:56 "Mesmerized" (Desert Storm remix instrumental) – 3:56 "Mesmerized" (Desert Storm remix a cappella, featuring Snoop Dogg) – 3:56

Promo CD single[7] "Tru Love" (radio version) – 3:41 "Tru Love" (instrumental) – 3:41 "Tru Love" (a cappella) – 3:41

Credits and personnel

Faith Evans – vocals Jermaine Durpi – production, mixing Todd Russaw – executive producer

Andrew Shack – executive producer Phil Tan – mixing Brad Todd – recording

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Tru Love" Chart (2006) Peak position US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[8] 10 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[9] 5 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 27

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Tru Love" Chart (2006) Position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 77

References

1. The First Lady (Media notes). Faith Evans. Capitol Records. 2005.
2. "Top 10: Favorite Faith Evans Songs (Guest Editor)". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. June 1, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
3. Shepherd, Sam (May 16, 2005). "Faith Evans – The First Lady". musicOMH. MusicOMH.com. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
4. Benning, Michael (April 22, 2005). "Faith Evans – The First Lady". Blogcritics. Technorati, Inc. Archived from the original on November 1, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
5. Fiore, Raymond (April 8, 2005). "The First Lady Review". Entertainment Weekly. EW.com. p. 63. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
6. "Faith Evans – Tru Love / Mesmerized (Desert Storm Remix)". Discogs. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
7. "Faith Evans – Tru Love (CD, Maxi-Single, Promo)". Discogs. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
8. "Faith Evans Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
9. "Faith Evans Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
10. "Faith Evans Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
11. "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Titles – 2006". Billboard.biz. 2006. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2021.