Love or Physical (original) (raw)

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1989 studio album by Ashford & Simpson

Love or Physical
Studio album by Ashford & Simpson
Released 1989
Studio Above Asia, New York City Science Lab, New York City Axis Studios, New York City Sigma Sound, New York City
Label Capitol[1]
Producer Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Ashford & Simpson chronology
Real Love(1986) Love or Physical(1989) Been Found(1996)

Love or Physical is an album by the American musical duo Ashford & Simpson, released in 1989.[2][3] The first single was "I'll Be There for You".[4] The duo would not record another album until their collaboration with Maya Angelou in 1996, Been Found.[5] The album peaked at No. 135 on the Billboard 200.[6]

The title track was originally called "Honest to Goodness Love"; it in part alludes to AIDS and infidelity.[7]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic [8]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music [9]
Los Angeles Times [10]

The Los Angeles Times wrote that "In Your Arms" "is the loveliest and most genuinely sensual ballad this husband-and-wife duo has recorded in a long time."[10] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted that "their sound is impeccably produced but actually quite sparse in spots."[11]

The Advocate stated that "the title track is a fresh urban-contemporary approach to male-female relationships."[12] USA Today concluded that the album "goes beyond carnal concerns and explores deeper matters."[13] The Dallas Morning News concluded that "it's still a pleasure to listen when the vocal interplay between these two veterans turns dexterous, as it does on the romantic ballad 'I'll Be There for You'."[14]

All tracks are written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson; except where noted.

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Love or Physical" 4:24
2. "I'll Be There for You" 4:38
3. "Comes with the Package" 4:15
4. "Til We Get It Right" 5:07
5. "Something to You" 4:59
6. "In Your Arms" Bruce Roberts, Edgar Bronfman, Jr. 4:39
7. "Cookies and Cake" 4:43
8. "Timing" 4:52
  1. ^ "Jet's Top 20 Albums". Jet. Vol. 76, no. 6. May 15, 1989. p. 62.
  2. ^ Hiltbrand, David (Apr 10, 1989). "Picks & Pans—Song: Love or Physical". People. Vol. 31, no. 14. p. 23.
  3. ^ Kirk, Kris (Apr 15, 1989). "Two of a Kind". Melody Maker. Vol. 65, no. 15. p. 11.
  4. ^ Moon, Tom (30 June 1989). "Ashford and Simpson Will Be There for You". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 36.
  5. ^ Bessman, Jim (Sep 28, 1996). "Ashford & Simpson launch label". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 39. p. 9.
  6. ^ "Ashford & Simpson". Billboard.
  7. ^ Eichenberger, Bill (May 18, 1989). "Songwriters Change with Time". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. p. 2.
  8. ^ "Ashford & Simpson Love or Physical". AllMusic.
  9. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 271.
  10. ^ a b Johnson, Connie (19 Mar 1989). "Ashford & Simpson 'Love or Physical'". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 75.
  11. ^ Burnes, John (24 Mar 1989). "Critic's Choice". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. F4.
  12. ^ Gilbert, Calvin (March 10, 1989). "Ashford and Simpson sticking to classic themes". Fun. The Advocate. p. 2.
  13. ^ Radel, Cliff (March 17, 1989). "Ashford & Simpson, 'Love or Physical'". USA Today.
  14. ^ Samuels, Lennox (May 7, 1989). "Ashford and Simpson, Love or Physical". The Dallas Morning News. p. 12C.