The song is one of Spencer's most known hits to date, reaching number 1 on the R&B chart in the United States by August 1991.

"Tender Kisses" became a summer hit in 1991, hitting number one on the Hot R&B Singles chart by August 1991 and number forty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart by summer's end.

The music video for "Tender Kisses", directed by Kenny Mirman, was shot in Los Angeles, California in June 1991, and opens with Spencer holding a rose in her hands and standing before a blue background with autumn leaves and glitter coming down around her.

There are shots of Spencer on a swing, behind a window, and in a big chair, begging her lover to reconsider about leaving the relationship.

Spencer appeared as herself and sang the song as a duet with Darius McCrary who played the character of Eddie Winslow on the sixteenth episode of Season 4 of the comedy/family sitcom Family Matters ("Tender Kisses", air date February 5, 1993).