The Message Is Love

The Message Is Love is the self-produced tenth album by American R&B singer Barry White, released in October 1979. 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. Two singles were released prior to the album's release, the first colliding with the release of White's previous album, I Love to Sing the Songs I Sing. 20th Century Fox, who had not release any singles off that album, decided to release two singles in the fall of 1979 to compete with White's new album release. Lacking an obvious hit single to provide sales impetus, The Message Is Love stalled outside the R&B top 10 (peaking at #14) and could only reach #67 on the pop chart. 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 top 100 during the decade.

The Message Is Love
Studio album by
Barry White
ReleasedOctober 16, 1979
Recorded1979
GenreDisco, soul, R&B
Length35:53
LabelUnlimited Gold
ProducerBarry White
Barry White chronology
I Love to Sing the Songs I Sing
(1979)		 The Message Is Love
(1979)		 Sheet Music
(1980)
Singles from The Message Is Love
  1. "Any Fool Could See (You Were Meant For Me)"
    Released: March 1979
  2. "It Ain't Love Babe (Until You Give It)"
    Released: July 1979
  3. "Love Ain't Easy"
    Released: February 1980
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic link

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

Singles
Year Single
US
R&B
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


Certifications and sales
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[1] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

  1. "American album certifications – Barry White – The message is love". Recording Industry Association of America.
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