Anything for You (Ledisi song) explained

Anything for You
Cover:LedisiAnythingforYou.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Ledisi
Album:The Wild Card
Recorded:2019
Genre:R&B
Length:
  • 4:17
Label:Listen Back Entertainment
Producer:
  • Rex Rideout
  • Ledisi Young
Chronology:Ledisi
Prev Title:All the Way
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Wake Up
Next Year:2020

"Anything for You" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Ledisi, from her ninth studio album, The Wild Card (2020). Listen Back Entertainment released "Anything for You" on April 3, 2020, as the lead single.[1] "Anything for You" is a slow-tempo R&B song about cherishing one's partner and doing anything for them.

"Anything for You" won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021, marking her first Grammy Award win.[2] It topped the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart for two consecutive weeks.[3]

Development and release

The song was inspired by the death of her long-time music producer Rex Rideout's father.[4] "Anything for You" was released on April 3, 2020, almost a month after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Although the song was not written or released in response to the pandemic, Ledisi told digital media brand Hollywood Life that she hoped the song would inspire listeners to "fully live in every moment and love their family/friends in every way possible."[5] "Anything for You" is also the first single to be released on Ledisi's independent recording label Listen Back Entertainment.

"Anything for You" is performed in the key of D. Jairus Mozee, who co-wrote the song, also played guitar on the song.[6] On July 31, 2020, a duet version with PJ Morton was released.[7]

Critical reception

Jason Brow of Hollywood Life called the song "a magnificent slice of soul and R&B, another demonstration of Ledisi’s prowess as a singer and a songwriter."[5]

At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021, "Anything for You" won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance.[2] The award win marks her first Grammy Award win. The solo version and duet version of the song were nominated for Outstanding Soul/R&B Song and Outstanding Duo, Group, or Collaboration at the 52nd NAACP Image Awards in 2021.[8]

Commercial performance

"Anything for You" was a commercial success in the United States, debuting at number forty-four on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs. During the twenty-fifth week of its chart run on October 10, 2020, the song peaked at number one on and held the top position for a total of two weeks.[3] On September 26, 2020, "Anything for You" debuted on the Hot R&B Songs at number twenty-three, which became its peak position.[3] The song remained on the charts for two weeks.[3]

Music video

The music video of "Anything for You", released in April 2020, was directed by Ledisi's husband Ron T. Young, who also shot her previous music video "High". The music video concept was simplified and filmed with minimal alternative camera shots and cuts, and no changes to hairstyles, or costumes.

The video begins with an opening shot of a record player and the music begins as Ledisi walks into a recording studio. She is then shown performing the song in front of a condenser microphone. The video alternates between the studio performance and Ledisi performing the song in a different location in the studio. The video ends Ledisi standing next to the record player.

The music video received a nomination for Outstanding Music Video at the 52nd NAACP Image Awards in 2021.[8]

Live performances

On May 20, 2020, Ledisi uploaded a "Quarantine Acoustic Version" of the song to her YouTube channel.[9] On July 4, 2020, Ledisi performed "Anything for You" on virtual live stream concert for 2020 Essence Music Festival.[10] On November 6, 2020, Ledisi performed the song on the Kelly Clarkson Show.[11] [12]

The song was a part of Ledisi's set list for her concert tour The Wild Card Tour in 2021 and performed halfway through the show. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ledisi was unable to tour in the latter part of 2020. On September 12, 2020, she gave on a free virtual concert titled This One's for You: A Night of Ledisi Live.[13] Audio from Ledisi's performance of "Anything for You" at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California was released on her live album Ledisi Live at The Troubadour (2021).[14] The song was also part of the set list for The Good Life Tour in 2024.

Track listing

  1. "Anything for You"
  1. "Anything for You (The Duet)" (featuring PJ Morton)

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the The Wild Card liner notes.[6]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/anything-for-you-mw0003370682 Ledisi - Anything for You
  2. Web site: Ledisi Wins Best Traditional R&B Performance For "Anything For You" . Enos . Morgan . March 14, 2021 . grammy.com . Recording Academy . June 15, 2021.
  3. https://www.billboard.com/artist/ledisi/chart-history/rba/ Ledisi Billboard Chart History
  4. https://www.bet.com/article/f9dvlo/ledisi-release-new-song-anything-for-you Ledisi’s 'Anything For You' Comes As A Timely Reminder That Love Conquers All
  5. https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/04/03/ledisi-anything-for-you-new-song/ Ledisi’s Song ‘Anything For You’ Reminds Us How Love Will Get Us Through ‘Challenging Times’
  6. https://www.allmusic.com/album/anything-for-you-mw0003370682#credits Ledisi - Anything for You (Credits)
  7. https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/anything-for-you-the-duet--mr0005245458 Ledisi - Anything for You (The Duet)
  8. https://wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/nominees-52nd-annual-naacp-image-awards-1234721897/ Here Are the Nominees for the 52nd Annual NAACP Image Awards
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAHn_rd4rVQ Ledisi - Anything For You (Quarantine Acoustic Version)
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0gOsSdHBck Ledisi - Anything For You - Essence Fest Virtual Performance
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTScxFQowPE Ledisi performs "Anything For You" on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
  12. https://ratedrnb.com/2020/11/ledisi-performs-anything-you-on-the-kelly-clarkson-show/ Ledisi Performs ‘Anything For You’ on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’
  13. Web site: 2021-06-14. Ledisi Announces 'The Wild Card Tour' Dates. 2021-06-20. Rated R&B. en-US.
  14. https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-troubadour-mw0003510351 Ledisi Live at the Troubadour