Delicate (Terence Trent D'Arby song) explained

Delicate
Cover:TerenceTrentDArbyfeatDesReeDelicateCDSingleCover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Terence Trent D'Arby featuring Des'ree
Album:Symphony or Damn
B-Side:She's My Baby
Released:[1]
Genre:Pop
Length:4:16
Label:Columbia
Producer:Terence Trent D'Arby

"Delicate" is a song by American singer-songwriter Terence Trent D'Arby featuring English singer Des'ree, released on June 7, 1993 by Columbia Records as the third single from his third studio album, Symphony or Damn (1993). It was written, arranged and produced by D'Arby, and peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, the song reached numbers 74 and 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. Its music video was directed by Andy Morahan.

Critical reception

In an 2018 retrospective review, Patrick Corcoran from Albumism stated that "Delicate" "demonstrated that the delightful soul voice was still ready and primed for action in a song that lived up to its dainty title".[2] Upon the release of the single, Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "With sweet vocal assistance by Des'ree, D'Arby is poised for his first top 40 hit in years. A tinkly jazz-pop shuffle beat and richly expressive vocals are the basis for an expansive retro-soul tune. Pretty and soothing track should also be of note to adult-geared urban and AC radio formats."[3] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said that this is "by far the best track on his new album and destined surely for Top 10 success next week".[4] Andrew Smith from Melody Maker wrote, "'Sign Your Name' was a cute song and this one tries for the same lovelorn effect, without getting anywhere near it."[5]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Dueting with last year's soul revelation Des'ree, YID hits radioland completely K.O.. Count to 10, and try to recover after this exquisite ballad."[6] Alan Jones from Music Week gave it four out of five, writing, "An appropriate title for a sweet and soulful duet, this shuffling and summery song is destined for the Top 10."[7] John Mulvey from NME said D'Arby "shakes off the dodgy Kravitzisms of his last single and rewrites 'Sign Your Name' to reclaim the upmarket smooch market." He added, "...but a hit, I suppose."[8] A reviewer from People Magazine noted its "Middle Eastern lounge-jazz filigree", adding that "his sexy, edgy tenor is a voice that grabs you in all its guises."[9] Siân Pattenden from Smash Hits also gave it four out of five. She felt that D'Arby "has come up with a truly corking pop single. "Delicate" is a soft, ambling tune, as the tender sheen on the pedal of a pansy. It is very smooth and a bit girlie, making sensible people want to snog you."[10] Charles Aaron from Spin viewed it as a "exquisitely gooey single" and "a time-lapse synth-photo of a flower blooming".[11]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by British commercial, film and music video director Andy Morahan. It was released on June 7, 1993,[12] and features D'Arby and Des'ree performing the song in a completely white setting. The video was later made available on Terence Trent D'Arby's official YouTube channel, as Sananda Maitreya, in 2012, and had generated almost five million views as of February 2024.[13]

Track listings

  1. "Delicate" - 4:16
  2. "She's My Baby" - 4:13
  3. "Dance Little Sister" - 3:54
  1. "Delicate" – 4:16
  2. "Dance Little Sister" – 3:54

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Delicate"!Chart (1993)!Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[14] 99
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[15] 37
Europe (European Hit Radio)[16] 4
Ireland (IRMA)[17] 23
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[18] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[19] 14
UK Airplay (Music Week)[20] 4
US Billboard Hot 100[21] 74
US Cash Box Top 100[22] 65

Year-end charts

1993 year-end chart performance for "Delicate"!Chart (1993)!Position
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[23] 81

Notes and References

  1. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 19. June 5, 1993.
  2. Web site: Patrick . Corcoran . Terence Trent D'Arby's 'Symphony or Damn' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective . Albumism . May 9, 2018 . November 16, 2020 .
  3. Larry . Flick . Single Reviews . . July 31, 1993 . 75 . October 26, 2020 . Larry Flick.
  4. Web site: Masterton. James. Week Ending June 19th 1993. Chart Watch UK. June 14, 1993. September 10, 2021. James Masterton.
  5. Andrew. Smith. Singles. Melody Maker. June 12, 1993. 27. May 23, 2023.
  6. New Releases: Singles. Music & Media. 10. 23. June 5, 1993. 12. October 27, 2021.
  7. Alan . Jones . Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles . . June 12, 1993 . 8 . March 28, 2021 .
  8. John. Mulvey. Singles. NME. June 12, 1993. 19. May 23, 2023.
  9. Picks and Pans Review: Symphony or Damn (exploring the Tension Inside the Sweetness) . . May 31, 1993 . November 13, 2020.
  10. Siân. Pattenden. New Singles. Smash Hits. June 9, 1993. 50. December 15, 2022. Siân Pattenden.
  11. Charles. Aaron. Singles. Spin. January 1994. 80. January 25, 2023. Charles Aaron.
  12. Promos In Production . . June 12, 1993 . 23 . March 28, 2021 .
  13. Web site: Sananda Maitreya - Delicate (Official Video) ft. Des'ree. YouTube. March 3, 2012. February 9, 2024.
  14. Book: Ryan, Gavin. Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. 2011. Moonlight Publishing. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia.
  15. Eurochart Hot 100. Music & Media. 10. 28. July 10, 1993. 19. March 24, 2024.
  16. EHR Top 40. Music & Media. 10. 31. July 31, 1993. 22. April 10, 2024.
  17. Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved February 6, 2008)
  18. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 29, 1993. dutch. Dutch Top 40. March 27, 2023.
  19. "Delicate", UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
  20. Top 50 Airplay Chart. Music Week. July 10, 1993. 16. April 30, 2024.
  21. Billboard [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p68144/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic.com] (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
  22. Top 100 Pop Singles. Cash Box. LVII. 7. October 9, 1993. 10. April 22, 2024.
  23. News: Árslistinn 1993. Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 17. January 4, 1994. April 12, 2022.