Carry On (Martha Wash song) explained

Carry On
Cover:Carry_On_(Martha_Wash_song).jpg
Type:single
Artist:Martha Wash
Album:Martha Wash
Released:October 30, 1992
Recorded:1992
Studio:
  • Nervous Music and Platinum Island Recording Studios
    (New York City, New York)
Genre:Diva house
Label:RCA
Next Title:Give It to You
Next Year:1993

"Carry On" is a song by American singer Martha Wash, released on October 30, 1992 through RCA Records as the lead single from her debut solo self-titled studio album, Martha Wash (1993). It was written by Eric Beall, who also composed the instrumentation in collaboration with Steve Skinner and peaked at number-one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Release

The single was the first release from her self-titled debut album, Martha Wash, which was part of her settlement deal with RCA Records after she sued the label over being uncredited for her work on previous songs by Black Box.[1] The track was her first number-one single as a solo artist on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, reaching the top spot on December 5, 1992.[2] In Europe, "Carry On" was a Top 40 hit in the Netherlands and a Top 50 hit in the UK.

Critical reception

Alex Henderson from AllMusic viewed the song as a "dance-floor gem", describing it as "soaring".[3] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "After building a near-legendary reputation as a belter on hits by Black Box, C & C Music Factory, and the Weather Girls, it's difficult to believe that this is Wash's first solo recording. Regardless, she proves why she will always be the prototype for future dance music divas on this driven pop/dance romp. It almost doesn't even matter what she's singing; any chance to wonder at the power of her voice is worth taking. Fortunately, this song works just fine, and is roping in club DJs at a rapid rate. Watch radio to quickly follow suit."[4]

Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian said in her review of the Martha Wash album, "Things work best when her producer allows her gospel roots to emerge, as on the beautiful inspirational number "Carry On"."[5] Connie Johnson from Los Angeles Times felt the "gospel-driven" song "ranks among the best tracks she has recorded."[6] A reviewer from Music Week gave it three out of five, declaring the song as "uplifting", and concluding that Wash "deserves success in her own".[7] Andy Beevers from the RM Dance Update rated it five out of five, naming it House Tune of the Week. He also complimented it as "a great, truly uplifting song".[8] Gordon Chambers from Rolling Stone remarked that Wash "glides" on the track.[9] Ian Hyland of Sunday Mirror gave it nine out of ten, writing, "Another one of those massive tunes that's been largin' it on the dance floor recently. Now you can have it at home."[10]

Usage in media

In 2010, the song was used in the fifth episode of season two of reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race, in which Wash also served as guest judge. Contestants Sahara Davenport and Morgan McMichaels, were up for elimination and had to lipsync to the song in order to continue in the competition. During the episode, drag queen and head judge RuPaul emotionally recounted "That song is very special to me because when my mother passed away, that was the song that I would play all the time. I played Martha Wash's 'Carry On' non-stop. That's what got me through it."[11]

Impact and legacy

British DJ, Phil Asher picked "Carry On" as one of his favourites in 1995, "My ex-girlfriend brought it back from New York. I'm still playing it to this day, in fact I played it last night. It's a vocal anthem of the real kind – no handbags in sight."[12] In 1996, English house music DJ, DJ Paulette chose it as one of her favourites, saying, "I play this track towards the end of the night. The lyrics are perfect — she is the voice."[13]

Track listings

  1. "Carry On" (Original 7" Edit) — 3:30
  2. "Carry On" (Album Radio Mix) — 4:17
  3. "Carry On" (Masters At Work 7" Mix) — 4:10
  4. "Carry On" (Masters At Work 12" Dance Mix) — 6:46
  5. "Carry On" (Masters At Work Dub Mix) — 5:14
  6. "Carry On" (Carried Away Dub) — 7:08
  7. "Carry On" (Carry This 12" Dance Mix) — 5:26
  8. "Carry On" (Vocal Bass Dub Mix) — 5:59
  9. "Carry On" (12" Alternative Mix) — 7:26

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1992-1993) Peak
position
scope="row"
scope="row"
UK Singles (OCC)49
UK Dance (Music Week)[14] 8
scope="row"
US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[15] 1
scope="row"
Chart (1997) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[16] 68
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 49
UK Dance (OCC)[18] 2
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[19] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1993-1997) Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 298
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[21] 19

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Read Her Lips : R&B Singer Says Hot Dance Hit Is Lip-Synced - Los Angeles Times . . Chuck . Philips . February 21, 1991 . January 2, 2016.
  2. http://www.billboard.com/charts/1992-12-05/dance-club-play-songs Hot Dance Club Songs, Billboard.com, issue date December 5, 1992
  3. Web site: Alex . Henderson . Martha Wash – Martha Wash . . November 5, 2020 .
  4. Larry. Flick. New & Noteworthy. Billboard. October 31, 1992. 95. January 25, 2018. Larry Flick.
  5. Sullivan, Caroline (August 13, 1993). "Music: Married to the Boss - Rock/pop". The Guardian.
  6. News: Connie. Johnson. In Brief. Los Angeles Times. April 11, 1993. January 22, 2023.
  7. Reviews: Singles. Music Week. August 23, 1997. 12. August 21, 2022.
  8. Andy. Beevers. Hot Vinyl. Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). October 18, 1997. 6. September 17, 2022.
  9. Chambers, Gordon (April 15, 1993). "Recordings". Rolling Stone. Issue 654.
  10. Hyland, Ian (October 5, 1997). "It's Carry on Dancing with Magic Martha". Sunday Mirror.
  11. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rupaul-gets-choked-up-recalling-919294 RuPaul Gets Choked Up Recalling His Favorite 'Drag Race' Moment: "I Had to Hold Back My Emotions"
  12. Jock On His Box . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . September 16, 1995 . 5 . May 12, 2021 .
  13. Jock On Her Box. Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). April 20, 1996. 5. August 15, 2021.
  14. Top 60 Dance Singles . . November 28, 1992 . 20 . September 29, 2020.
  15. Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales. 35. Billboard. January 9, 1993. November 21, 2019.
  16. Web site: Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 19 October 1997 - 25 October 1997. Official Charts Company.
  17. Web site: Official Singles Chart Top 100 19 October 1997 - 25 October 1997. Official Charts Company.
  18. Web site: Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40. Official Charts Company.
  19. The Club Chart 06.09.97. Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). September 6, 1997. 7. September 13, 2022.
  20. Web site: Jaarlijsten 1993. Dutch. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. December 1, 2019.
  21. The Club Top 100 of 1997. Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental insert). January 10, 1998. 5. January 9, 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Carry On (Martha Wash song)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.