Whenever I Say Your Name

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

"Whenever I Say Your Name" is a duet recorded by English musician Sting and American singer Mary J. Blige, for Sting's seventh studio album Sacred Love (2003). It was written and produced by Sting, and co-produced by Mark "Kipper" Eldridge. Although not originally included on Blige's sixth studio album Love & Life (2003), the track was subsequently added to its international reissue.

"Whenever I Say Your Name" was released as the second single from Sacred Love, and the fourth single from Love & Life, on 8 December 2003, by A&M Records. It peaked at number 60 on the UK Singles Chart, marking Sting's lowest-peaking single since "They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo)" (1988), and Blige's lowest-peaking single ever. Despite its commercial underperformance, the song won Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards (2004).

Background

"Whenever I Say Your Name" was written and produced by Sting for his seventh studio album Sacred Love (2003).[1] Production was helmed by Sting and Mark "Kipper" Eldridge.[1] The singer felt inspired to work with Blige ever since they performed together on the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. In 2003, he told LAUNCHcast: "I was totally blown away by her passionate, open singing [...] I had decided on that night that I'd love to write a song for her one day, and I came up with this idea of "Whenever I Say Your Name" – that's perfect for her, you know? It's very romantic. It also has a kind of religious component – you know, she's very churchy in the way she sings."[2]

Critical reception

Alan Light from The Los Angeles Times described "Whenever I Say Your Name" as "a knockout duet,"[2] while Entertainment WeeklyTemplate:'s Tom Sinclair called it a "erotically charged duet" and further wrote: "[Sting] unites the secular and the sacred with the phrase "Whenever I say your name, I’m already praying"."[3] Riff MagazineTemplate:'s Alexander Baechle found that "Blige oozes exuberance on "Whenever I Say Your Name." Both Blige and Sting take the opportunity to play to their strengths. Sting begins the tune with a characteristically moody, subtle verse. Imperceptibly, the song morphs into a borderline funk romp, pushing Blige’s power vocals to the fore."[4]

Music video

A music video for "Whenever I Say Your Name" was directed by frequent Sting collaborator Jim Gable.[5]

Track listings

All tracks written by Sting.[6] Template:Tracklist Notes

  • <templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^[a] denotes remix producer

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Sacred Love.[1]

Charts

Template:SinglechartTemplate:SinglechartTemplate:SinglechartTemplate:Singlechart
Weekly chart performance for "Whenever I Say Your Name"
Chart (2003–2004) Peak
position

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Whenever I Say Your Name"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 8 December 2003 CD Template:Hlist
[7]
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Template:Sting Template:Mary J. Blige singles Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Whenever_I_Say_Your_Name&oldid=2814900"