Justify My Love was written by Lenny Kravitz, Ingrid Chavez and Madonna. Kravitz wrote the song for Madonna, based on a poem written by friend and Prince protégé Ingrid Chavez. Kravitz added the title hook and chorus. Madonna contributed a few lines. Chavez was not credited for the song and later sued Kravitz in 1992. She received an out-of-court settlement, and gained a co-writing credit.Producer Kravitz sampled the intro found on Public Enemy's instrumental, Security of the First World, and used it as the basis of the song. The song was unique in that Madonna's vocals are primarily spoken and whispered, but almost never sung. This style served as a prelude to her next album Erotica, in which she spoke the lyrics on some of the songs rather than singing them. Kravitz provided background vocals. Rumors of a love affair between Kravitz and Madonna sprang up in the press upon the release of the song. Kravitz has denied these rumors.In 2003, Madonna fans were asked to vote for their Top 20 Madonna singles of all time by Q-Magazine. Justify My Love was allocated the #12 spot.Rapper Mase sampled the song on his 1999 album, Double Up, on his song Stay Out of My Way.The song was covered by rapper Vita and pop–R&B singer Ashanti for The Fast and the Furious soundtrack in 2001. Vita was originally going to make the version her own featuring her rapping on the re-make, but Madonna shut her down and only cleared the version where Vita does exactly the same style as Madonna.Rapper Jay-Z's song, Justify My Thug, from his 2003 album, The Black Album produced by DJ Quik, is a remake of Justify My Love. Enigma sampled Justify My Love for their Orthodox Remix of the 1990 single, Mea Culpa (Part II).Madonna has only performed this song once on her 1993 Girlie Show Tour. According to The Official Charts Company, the song has sold 235,000 copies in the UK.