You know those songs that just feel like a specific era? You hear the first few synth notes and suddenly you're back in a world of oversized blazers, Doc Martens, and teen dramas on CRT televisions. For a lot of us, love is Vanessa Williams—specifically her 1993 powerhouse duet with Brian McKnight. It wasn't just a radio hit. It was a cultural moment that bridged the gap between R&B royalty and the peak of 90s television obsession.
Honestly, the way this song came together is kinda wild. It didn't start on a solo album. It actually landed on the soundtrack for Beverly Hills, 90210. Remember that show? It was basically the center of the universe for teenagers at the time. The song was so perfectly "California cool meets soul" that it eventually worked its way into Melrose Place too. If you were watching TV in 1993, you couldn't escape it.
Why Love Is Vanessa Williams Still Hits Different
There’s a specific kind of magic in a 90s ballad that we don't really get anymore. Today, everything is so processed. Back then, it was all about the "vocal Olympics." You had Vanessa Williams, who was already a massive star coming off the success of "Save the Best for Last," and this "new" guy named Brian McKnight.
McKnight wasn’t a household name yet. This was his big break. Pairing his smooth, gospel-inflected runs with Vanessa’s sophisticated pop-soul tone was a stroke of genius. The track was written by Tonio K, Michael Caruso, and John Keller. It’s a song about the heavy stuff—how love isn't just rainbows but something that "breaks your heart" and "takes no less than everything."
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The Battle of the Two Versions
Did you know there are actually two versions of the song? Most people remember the one with the soaring electric guitar solo during the bridge. It’s the "radio mix," and it feels very of-its-time. But there’s a second, more intimate version called the "Piano Mix."
This version swapped the guitar for a melodic piano solo played by Philippe Saisse. It’s the version they used for the official music video. If you listen to it now, the piano version feels a bit more timeless, whereas the guitar version screams 1993.
The Chart Stats You Probably Forgot
It’s easy to look back and think of this as just another slow dance song at prom. But the numbers tell a bigger story. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. That’s huge for a soundtrack single.
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- Adult Contemporary King: It spent three weeks at number one on the AC charts.
- Year-End Dominance: It ended 1993 as the most successful Adult Contemporary song of the entire year.
- Grammy Recognition: The duo grabbed a nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1994.
They didn't win—they were up against some stiff competition—but the nomination cemented Vanessa Williams as a serious musical force who could transcend her "pageant" beginnings. She wasn't just a pretty face; she was a vocalist who could hold her own against anyone.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lyrics
Sometimes people think of "Love Is" as a simple, happy wedding song. If you actually read the lyrics, it’s actually kinda dark in spots. It talks about "the darkness slips in" and how "now it’s dying."
It’s a song about perseverance. It’s about looking at a world that feels like it’s falling apart and choosing to "take my chances" on love anyway. In 1993, that resonated. In 2026, looking back at the history of R&B, it still resonates because it doesn't sugarcoat the struggle. It treats love like a miracle that requires a lot of work.
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The Brian McKnight Factor
For Brian McKnight, this song was everything. He told the Los Angeles Times back in the day that singing with Vanessa was the "incredible boost" his career needed. His debut album ended up crossing the 500,000 sales mark shortly after. Without "Love Is," we might never have gotten "Back at One" or "One Last Cry."
Legacy and How to Listen Today
If you want to revisit the track, you’ve got options. It appears on Vanessa’s Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years and Brian’s From There to Here: 1989–2002.
The song's influence shows up in how modern duets are structured. You can hear its DNA in the way artists like H.E.R. or Daniel Caesar approach their collaborations—that slow-burn build-up followed by a massive, harmonized finish.
Actionable Ways to Experience This Classic
To truly appreciate why love is Vanessa Williams, don't just stream it on a crappy phone speaker. Do these three things to get the full 90s experience:
- Find the Piano Mix: Search specifically for the "Alternate Piano Mix." The phrasing in the vocals stands out much more without the 80s-leftover guitar wailing in the background.
- Watch the Music Video: Look for the HD widescreen remasters on YouTube. The cinematography, featuring Vanessa and Brian in a moody, dimly lit studio, captures the "sophisti-pop" aesthetic perfectly.
- Check the Soundtrack: If you’re a vinyl collector, hunt down the original Beverly Hills, 90210 soundtrack. It’s a time capsule of early 90s production styles that sounds surprisingly lush on a good turntable.
Whether you're a die-hard 90210 fan or just someone who loves a good vocal performance, "Love Is" remains a masterclass in duet chemistry. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best songs aren't on the main albums—they're the ones hidden on a TV soundtrack, waiting to become the anthem of a generation.