Shackles (Praise You) Explained

Shackles (Praise You)
Cover:Mary Mary - Shackles (Praise You)(LQ).jpeg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Mary Mary
Album:Thankful
Genre:
Length:3:16
Label:
Producer:Warryn Campbell
Next Title:I Sings
Next Year:2001

"Shackles (Praise You)" is the debut single by American gospel singer-songwriter duo Mary Mary. Originally released February 29, 2000, as a promotional single for their album Thankful, it is considered the group's signature song and one of the best-selling gospel songs of all time. Stan North of GospelFlava.com deemed it one of the pioneer songs of urban gospel music.[1]

"Shackles" became a top-10 hit in several countries, including Australia, Denmark, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and charted well in other major music markets. Mary Mary later produced a music video for the song.

Critical reception

Like many contemporary gospel songs, "Shackles" was not without its criticism; many cited the song as being too modern and not staying true to its gospel roots. Mary Mary responded by saying, "It's definitely contemporary. It's music that everybody in any style of music can relate to. It's universal, but the lyrics are undeniably Gospel."[2]

Commercial performance

"Shackles (Praise You)" became a top-40 hit in the United States, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was also a worldwide hit, reaching number five in the United Kingdom and number 17 in Ireland. Across mainland Europe, the song was a top-10 hit in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway. It also charted strongly in France, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland, peaking within the top 20. In Australia, the song reached number two in September 2000 and was the highest-selling song of the year that did not reach the number-one spot, coming in at number 10 on Australia's year-end chart for 2000.

Usage in media

The song has been featured in RuPaul's Drag Race as a "lipsync for your life" elimination: during the first season (2009), performed by contestants Rebecca Glasscock and Shannel, as well as the thirteenth season (2021), performed by Denali and Olivia Luxx.

A sample of "Shackles" was featured on the Stormzy song "Rainfall" from his 2019 album Heavy Is the Head.

The song was featured in the fifth episode of the third season (2024) of American sitcom Abbott Elementary, performed by Sheryl Lee Ralph .[3]

Track listings

United States

CD single[4]

  1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18
  2. "What a Friend" (snippet) – 1:03
  3. "Be Happy" (snippet) – 1:42
  4. "Thankful" (snippet) – 1:11
  5. "Wade in the Water" (snippet) – 1:39

Maxi-CD single[5]

  1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (single version) – 3:18
  2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45
  3. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55
  4. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix instrumental) – 8:55
  5. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's New Year's Eve dub mix) – 7:15
  6. "Shackles (Praise You)" (MO-apella) – 2:46

12-inch single[6]

A1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55

A2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's New Year's Eve dub mix) – 7:15

B1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix instrumental) – 8:55

B2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (MO-apella) – 2:46

B3. "Shackles (Praise You)" (single version) – 3:18

Cassette single[7]

A1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18

B1. "What a Friend" (snippet) – 1:03

B2. "Be Happy" (snippet) – 1:42

B3. "Thankful" (snippet) – 1:11

B4. "Wade in the Water" (snippet) – 1:39

B5. "Shackles (Praise You)" (MO-apella) – 2:46

International

Australian CD single[8]

  1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18
  2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45
  3. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55
  4. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix instrumental) – 8:55
  5. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's New Year's Eve dub mix) – 7:15
  6. "Shackles (Praise You)" (MO-apella) – 2:46

European CD1[9]

  1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18
  2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45

European CD2[10]

  1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18
  2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45
  3. "I Got It" – 3:52
  4. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55

UK CD1[11]

  1. "Shackles (Praise You)" – 3:18
  2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Hil St. Soul mix) – 3:33
  3. "Shackles (Praise You)" (2K mix by Tariq) – 3:08
  4. "Shackles (Praise You)" (The Top Notch remix) – 2:50

UK CD2[12]

  1. "Shackles (Praise You)" – 3:18
  2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45
  3. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55

UK cassette single[13]

  1. "Shackles (Praise You)" – 3:18
  2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2000)Peak
position
Czech Republic (IFPI)[14] 24
Denmark (IFPI)[15] 4
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[16] 11
Hungary (Mahasz)[17] 2
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[18] 8
Poland (Music & Media)[19] 2
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[20] 12

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)Position
Australia (ARIA)[21] 10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22] 51
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[23] 27
Brazil (Crowley)[24] 86
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[25] 40
France (SNEP)[26] 40
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[27] 45
Ireland (IRMA)[28] 89
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[29] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[30] 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[31] 17
Romania (Romanian Top 100)100
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 51
UK Singles (OCC)[33] 48
UK Urban (Music Week)[34] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 100
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[36] 32
US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[37] 28
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[38] 100

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesFebruary 29, 2000Columbia[39] [40]
March 7, 2000[41]
April 18, 2000Contemporary hit radio[42] [43]
New ZealandMay 22, 2000[44]
JapanMay 24, 2000CDSony[45]
United KingdomMay 29, 2000Columbia[46]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reviews – Mary Mary. North. Stan. 2000. GospelFlava.com.
  2. Web site: Mary Mary interview. Clark. Melanie. 2000. GospelFlava.com.
  3. Web site: Abbott Elementary Recap: Church Girl.
  4. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. US CD single liner notes. C2Records, Columbia Records. 38K 79303.
  5. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. US maxi-CD single liner notes. C2Records, Columbia Records. 44K 79347.
  6. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. US 12-inch single sleeve. C2Records, Columbia Records. 44 79347.
  7. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. US cassette single sleeve. C2Records, Columbia Records. 38T 79303.
  8. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. Australian CD single liner notes. Columbia Records. 669483 2.
  9. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. European CD1 liner notes. Columbia Records. COL 669200 1.
  10. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. European CD2 liner notes. Columbia Records. COL 669200 2.
  11. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. UK CD1 liner notes. Columbia Records. 669420 2.
  12. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. UK CD2 liner notes. Columbia Records. 669420 5.
  13. Shackles (Praise You). Mary Mary. 2000. UK cassette single sleeve. Columbia Records. 669420-4.
  14. Web site: Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden. IFPI ČR. cs. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20000819005640/http://www.ifpicr.cz:80/radio.htm. August 19, 2000. March 16, 2020.
  15. Hits Of The World. Billboard. 71. July 22, 2000. June 5, 2018.
  16. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 17. 27. 10. July 1, 2000. June 5, 2018.
  17. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 17. 36. 13. September 2, 2000. November 2, 2019.
  18. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (Vikuna 29.7. – 4.8. 2000 30. Vika). Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 10. July 28, 2000. July 15, 2018.
  19. Major Market Airplay – Week 25/2000. Music & Media. 17. 25. 23. June 17, 2000. January 28, 2021.
  20. Web site: Topul anului 2000. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050122081829/http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-2000.html. January 22, 2005. April 24, 2020.
  21. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2000. ARIA. August 15, 2020.
  22. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2000. Ultratop. nl. July 6, 2019.
  23. Web site: Rapports annuels 2000. Ultratop. fr. July 6, 2019.
  24. Web site: Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2000. April 3, 2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. January 30, 2022.
  25. Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000. Music & Media. 17. 52. 9. December 23, 2000. February 8, 2020.
  26. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 2000. SNEP. fr. August 15, 2020.
  27. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 100. Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 10. January 5, 2001. February 8, 2020.
  28. Web site: Top 100 of 2000. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040602112628/http://www.rte.ie/2fm/charts/top100_2000.html. June 2, 2004. March 16, 2022.
  29. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2000. Dutch Top 40. February 2, 2020.
  30. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2000. MegaCharts. nl. July 6, 2019.
  31. Web site: End of Year Charts 2000. Recorded Music NZ. July 6, 2019.
  32. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2000. de. July 6, 2019.
  33. Best Sellers of 2000: Singles Top 100. Music Week. United Business Media. London, England. 25. January 20, 2001.
  34. Top 40 Urban Tracks of 2000. Music Week. 20. January 13, 2001. August 4, 2023.
  35. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2000. September 5, 2010.
  36. The Year in Music 2000: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Billboard. 112. 53. YE-56. December 30, 2000.
  37. The Year in Music 2000: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales. Billboard. 112. 53. YE-60. December 30, 2000.
  38. Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2000. Airplay Monitor. 8. 51. 56. December 22, 2000.
  39. Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates. Gavin Report. 2293. 8. February 25, 2000.
  40. AddVance Notice / Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1339. 84, 92. February 25, 2000. August 2, 2021.
  41. Mary Mary's 'Thankful' on Columbia. Nathan. David. David Nathan (music writer). Billboard. 112. 11. 29. March 11, 2000. October 5, 2020.
  42. CHR/Pop: Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1346. 39. April 14, 2000. August 2, 2021.
  43. Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates. Gavin Report. 2300. 7. April 14, 2000.
  44. Web site: New Releases. netcd.co.nz. May 22, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000610221615/http://netcd.co.nz/NewReleases.html. June 10, 2000. November 8, 2023.
  45. Web site: 新譜情報. New Information. Oricon. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20000510012913/http://www.oricon.co.jp/release/release-sg.asp. May 10, 2000. August 23, 2023.
  46. New Releases – For Week Starting May 29, 2000: Singles. Music Week. 25. May 27, 2000. August 2, 2021.

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