Lady (D'Angelo song)

"Lady"
Single by D'Angelo
from the album Brown Sugar
ReleasedMarch 5, 1996 (1996-03-05)[1][2]
Recorded1995 (1995)[3]
GenreNeo soul
Length4:05
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • D'Angelo
  • Raphael Saadiq[5]
D'Angelo singles chronology
"Cruisin'"
(1995) 		"Lady"
(1996) 		"Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine"
(1996)
Music video
"Lady" on YouTube

"Lady" is a song co-written,[4] co-produced[5] and performed by American neo soul singer D'Angelo, issued as the third single from his debut studio album, Brown Sugar (1995). A remixed version of the song (titled the Clean Street Version)[6] was also released, featuring vocals from American hip hop musician AZ. Separate music videos were created for both versions of the song.[7][8]

"Lady" is D'Angelo's biggest hit single to date in the United States, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1996.[9] It was certified gold by the RIAA on June 4, 1996.[2] The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1997, but lost to "Your Secret Love" by Luther Vandross.[10]

Canadian rapper Drake heavily sampled the song for the closing track "March 14" off of his 2018 album Scorpion. In 2023, Singer Eric Bellinger also sampled the song for his single "Curious" featuring rappers Fabolous and Cordae.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "As "Cruisin'" continues to attract popsters, D'Angelo—one of the most bold and interesting new artists in R&B—serves his core soul audience this sultry, percussive slow jam from his sterling album Brown Sugar. As with past singles, the emphasis here is on sharp musicianship and adventurous songwriting. D'Angelo's street Romeo vocal style is put to excellent use with this tune's simple, effective "you're my lady" refrain, as well as the limber bass/guitar interplay. After being heralded by R&B radio, this should prove to be D'Angelo's biggest pop hit so far."[11] Ann Powers from Spin described it as "sexy-paranoid", saying that songs like "Lady" "get serious with soul's erotic undercurrents, reaching for the exquisite tension of early Prince and late Marvin Gaye."[12]

Music videos

The official music video for the original version of the song was directed by Hype Williams, and shot in the singer’s hometown of Richmond, Virginia.[7] The video for the remix version was directed by Brett Ratner.[8] In addition to AZ, the remix video features appearances from singers Faith Evans and Joi; as well as Erykah Badu in her first music video appearance.[13]

Charts

References

  1. ^ "Lady [US Single] - D'Angelo | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - June 30, 2015". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  3. ^ "D'Angelo - Lady at Discogs". Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Lady - D'Angelo | Listen, Appearances, Song Review | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "D'Angelo - Lady (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "D'Angelo - Lady (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. Zink Media. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "D'Angelo - 'Lady [version 1]'". MVDBase.com (video). ASG. 1998–2017. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "D'Angelo - 'Lady [version 2: remix]'". MVDBase.com (video). ASG. 1998–2017. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "D'Angelo | Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  10. ^ "Rock On The Net: Grammy Awards: Best R&B Vocal Performance - Male". Rock on the Net. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  11. ^ Flick, Larry (January 20, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 70. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  12. ^ Powers, Ann (October 1995). "Spins". Spin. p. 116. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  13. ^ Badu, Erykah (March 7, 2015). "ErykahBadoula on Twitter: "My first video appearance... before Baduizm with bestie @JoiGilliam, AZ, my bae Faith Evans and my brother D'angelo < LADY remix via 1996ish"". Twitter. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  14. ^ "D'Angelo – Lady". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  15. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  17. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  18. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  19. ^ "DAngelo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  20. ^ "DAngelo Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "DAngelo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  22. ^ "DAngelo Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  23. ^ Pedro. "Longbored Surfer - 1996". LongboredSurfer.com. Retrieved July 1, 2015.