The Right Kind of Love


"The Right Kind of Love" is a song recorded by American singer and actor Jeremy Jordan, written and produced by Tommy Faragher, Lotti Golden and Robbie Nevil. It was released in late 1992 as one of the lead singles from the Beverly Hills, 90210: The Soundtrack and later appeared on Jordan’s debut album Try My Love, issued by Giant Records. The track marked Jordan’s first major release following his signing with the label and introduced him to a mainstream audience through the success of the television series.
Musically, the song blends elements of pop, R&B, and new jack swing, featuring smooth keyboard arrangements, layered vocal harmonies, and a rhythmic groove characteristic of early 1990s teen pop. Its accompanying music video, which also appeared in the Beverly Hills, 90210 series, portrays Jordan performing and interacting in a youthful, multicultural setting. The video reflects the visual style of early 1990s pop productions, emphasizing dance sequences, romance, and a diverse social environment.
Critically, "The Right Kind of Love" received favorable attention from contemporary music publications, including Billboard, which praised its catchy rhythm and vocal style. The single reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number five in Australia, remaining on the U.S. chart for 25 weeks.

Background and release

Before gaining recognition as a musician, Jeremy Jordan faced a challenging childhood, spending time in orphanages and living on the streets before turning to theater and music as a teenager. At nineteen, after moving to Los Angeles, he caught the attention of industry professionals when he performed "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye" a cappella at a live event, impressing manager Peter Schivarelli, who helped him sign with Giant Records. Soon after, Jordan began recording with a team of well-known producers, including Robbie Nevil, Al B. Sure!, Keith Thomas, and Rhett Lawrence.

Composition

"The Right Kind of Love" is a mid-tempo pop and R&B track that blends elements of new jack swing, doo-wop, and early 1990s urban pop. Built around a rhythmic, finger-snapping groove and smooth keyboard arrangements, the song draws comparisons to artists such as Color Me Badd, New Kids on the Block. and Boyz II Men. Its polished production, handled by Robbie Nevil, Tommy Faragher, and Lotti Golden, incorporates layered harmonies and a light rap section.
Lyrically, the song conveys themes of romance and emotional sincerity. Jeremy Jordan himself noted that although the lyrics were written by Lotti Golden, they resonated with his own experiences at the time, giving the performance an authentic tone.

Music video

The music video for "The Right Kind of Love" was featured on the NBC series Beverly Hills, 90210 with the music video tacked onto the credit sequence. It opens with Jordan playing basketball among five young men before transitioning to scenes of him singing, dancing, and interacting with his teammates. Visually, the video reflects the early 1990s pop aesthetic, featuring upbeat choreography and imagery that suggest a spirit of multicultural friendship. Throughout the clip, Jordan appears with two female love interests, alternating between playful and romantic moments typical of teen-oriented music videos of the era.
According to Amy Coddington's analysis in How Hip Hop Became Hit Pop: Radio, Rap, and Race, the video employs Black cultural imagery primarily as a backdrop to reinforce Jordan's place within the multicultural logic of 1990s pop. Coddington argues that while Jordan is visually positioned among Black dancers and teammates, his engagement with Black culture remains superficial, serving more as symbolic capital than genuine cultural exchange. She further notes that the video's conclusion—where Jordan ends up with the white girl—reveals the limits of pop multiculturalism, ultimately reaffirming traditional racial boundaries within an ostensibly inclusive visual narrative.

Critical reception

In its "New & Noteworthy" section, Billboard praised "The Right Kind of Love" as an "urbanized pop ditty" that showcased the "great promise" of the photogenic newcomer. The review highlighted its "finger-snappin' rhythm base," "retro-soul keyboards," and vocals "slightly reminiscent of Color Me Badd and New Kids on the Block." The single was described as a "shoo-in" for teen-oriented Top 40 radio formats and a strong indicator of Jordan's potential ahead of his debut album.
Tom Doyle from Smash Hits described the song as "bumpy grindy soul stuff". He added that "it's a very convincing New Kids impersonation which will very likely turn Mr Jordan into an international pop sensation". In his Gavin Report review, Dave Sholin described "The Right Kind of Love" as a well-crafted debut single from Jordan, noting its "cool, rhythmic hook" and "slick production". Sholin remarked that, judging by Jordan's image, he looked like someone who could easily fit into the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210, the hit TV series whose soundtrack featured the song.

Commercial performance

The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on December 12, 1992, eventually reaching its peak position at number 14 on March 27, 1993. It remained on the chart for a total of 25 weeks.

Track listing

US maxi-CD single
  1. "The Right Kind of Love" – 4:09
  2. "The Right Kind of Love" – 4:09
  3. "The Right Kind of Love" – 4:09
  4. "The Right Kind of Love" – 5:45
  5. "The Right Kind of Love" – 5:45