The Real Thing is the second studio album by American recording R&B singer-songwriter Angela Winbush released under Polygram Records in May 1989.

It is the sophomore release after Winbush's debut album Sharp and features the R&B hit singles "It's The Real Thing", "Lay Your Troubles Down", and "No More Tears".

[1] The album includes Winbush's cover of "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love", in which she wrote and produced for Stephanie Mills and appears on her 1985 self-titled album.

Alex Henderson of Allmusic wrote, "For all its slickness and high-tech production gloss, this is an album with plenty of soul and grit.

"[2] All songs produced, written, arranged and performed by Angela Winbush, except where noted.