The Message Is Love Explained

The Message Is Love is the self-produced tenth album by American R&B singer Barry White, released in March 1979.^[1] It was White's first release on his own CBS-affiliated custom label, Unlimited Gold, following his departure from long-time label 20th Century-Fox Records, and advance interest was high. The album however proved a disappointment both critically and commercially. However, the album was still certified RIAA Gold. The Message Is Love stalled outside the R&B album top 10 (peaking at number 14)^[2] and only reached number 67 on the Billboard 200.^[3] The poor performance of the album set the pattern for White's career slump in the early 1980s, which saw him fail to place any other album on the Billboard Hot 100 during the decade.

Track listing

• Tracks written by Barry White and Paul Politi unless stated

1. "It Ain't Love, Babe (Until You Give It)" – 4:22
2. "Hung Up in Your Love" – 4:11
3. "You're the One I Need" (Barry White, Smead Hudman) – 4:23
4. "Any Fool Could See (You Were Meant for Me)" – 4:45
5. "Love Ain't Easy" – 5:36
6. "I'm on Fire" (Robert Jason) – 5:39
7. "I Found Love" – 6:57

Charts

Singles

Year! scope="col" rowspan="2"

Single
US R&B [4]
1979	"Any Fool Could See (You Were Meant for Me)"	37
	"It Ain't Love Babe (Until You Give It)"	58
1980	"Love Ain't Easy"	75

Notes and References

1. The more he does it, the better he gets . . 91 . 12 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . March 24, 1979 . 5. 0006-2510.
2. Barry White Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Billboard. September 25, 2023.
3. Barry White Chart History: Billboard 200. Billboard. September 25, 2023.
4. Barry White Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. September 25, 2023.