"Love" is a song by American R&B recording artistKeyshia Cole. It was written by Greg Curtis and Keyshia Cole and produced by Gregory G. Curtis Sr for her debut album, The Way It Is, released on January 6, 2006 as the album's fifth single, "Love" emerged as the most successful single from the album. It peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming her breakthrough record after a string of modestly successful singles. Its accompanying music video features R&B singer Tyrese and received heavy play on BET. On the countdown show, 106 and Park, the track retired, making the countdown for 65 days. The video retired from the countdown on April 19, 2006. The single was certified platinum by the RIAA.
Background
When Cole moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of a record deal, "Love" is the track that she thought would gain her one. When faced with A&M Records President Ron Fair, she performed this song and Fair decided to sign Cole on the spot. The track is about a girl who is in a serious relationship with a guy, and is always trying to do her best, although she thinks that it is not good enough. The guy is cheating on her, but she cannot believe it because she is so much in love with the guy. "Love" was announced as Cole's debut single in 2003. She performed the song at different showcases until her song "Never" was picked as the lead single for the Barbershop II soundtrack.
Chart performance
The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 82 and rose to number 49 in its second week, becoming the chart's "Greatest Gainer". It slowly moved up the charts with minor setbacks, and eventually peaked at number 19, becoming her highest solo charting single until her 2007 song "Let It Go" reached number 7. "Love" was number 18 on Billboards 2006 Year End R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Music video
The video for "Love" features Cole and Tyrese. The video was shot in different locations in New York City, as it shows in the beginning of the video. The video starts off as two policemen pull over Cole and Tyrese because apparently Cole ran a red light while driving, but claims she did not see it. Tyrese is believed to be living a double life. He is some type of criminal that Cole suspects is doing wrong, but never confronts him of the issue, but he appears to be a loving boyfriend. Subsequently, as Cole is watching television, there is a video of her boyfriend and some other men robbing a bank. After she arrives home from a day of expensive shopping, Cole is confronted by the authorities and asks her if she knows where her boyfriend is. Her boyfriend then picks her up, she gets into the driver's seat of the car, and are taken back to the scenario shown in the beginning of the video; however, the policeman recognizes that it is Cole and calmly calls the whole thing off by asking for her autograph. Cole confronts her boyfriend, ends up staying with him and he gives up being a criminal for her love.
O.T. Genasis version
In December 2019, rapper O.T. Genasis released a reworked version of "Love", titled "Never Knew". The song caused controversy when Cole responded with dissaproval of the track, saying "I would like my classics to be left alone" and further questioned how she would get paid when O.T. Genasis is making "new lyrics and you ain't sent me out a check or anything like that". Genasis went on to troll Cole via his Instagram and uploaded the song on Pornhub, after his version was removed from YouTube. It was later reuploaded on YouTube.
