Thank You (Diana Ross album) explained
Thank You is the twenty-fifth studio album by American singer Diana Ross, released on November 5, 2021, by Decca Records.[1] It marks Ross' first studio album since 2006's I Love You, and her first original material since 1999's Every Day Is a New Day.[2] The album was written during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020 and recorded in Ross's home studio.[3] Ross worked with songwriter and producer Jack Antonoff, as well as Jimmy Napes, Amy Wadge, Tayla Parx, and Spike Stent.[4] The title track was issued as the lead single on June 17, 2021, and is one of nine tracks on the album co-written by Ross. The album received a nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 65th Grammy Awards, Ross' first nomination since 1983.
"Thank You" received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Ross's timeless voice and the album's uplifting message. The album debuted at number 7 on the UK Albums Chart and charted in several other countries, demonstrating Ross's enduring appeal. Themes of gratitude, love, and resilience are prevalent throughout the album, reflecting Ross's personal reflections during the pandemic.
The music video for the title track "Thank You" features Ross in various elegant settings, celebrating her illustrious career. The album's impact is significant, reinforcing Diana Ross's status as a legendary artist and marking a triumphant return to the music scene.
Singles
Thank You debuted and peaked at No. 38 on the UK Singles Sales Chart and No. 37 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart on June 25, 2021.[5] [6]
"If the World Just Danced", a house-pop song,[7] peaked at No. 57 on the UK Singles Sales Chart and 56 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart dated October 15, 2021.[8] [9]
Tour
Ross toured Europe and the UK in support of the album, performed the title track during her closing act of the Queen's Jubilee concert on 4 June and embarked on the second leg of her Thank You Tour in the United States in late August 2022.
Critical reception
On review aggregator Metacritic, the album holds a score of 60 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews."[10]
Chuck Arnold of Entertainment Weekly gave the album a positive review, writing, "Thank You is a powerful showcase for how good Ross is even after a two-decade absence. It also achieves her ultimate goal: to provide a light in troubling times."[11]
Commercial performance
Thank You performed moderately on the charts. In the United Kingdom, it debuted at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her first top-10 album in 26 years.[12] In the United States, it entered Billboard Top R&B Albums Chart at No. 25.
Track listing
Notes
- indicates a co-producer
- indicates a vocal producer
Personnel
Musicians
- Diana Ross – vocals, executive production, liner notes
- Troy Miller – bass (1, 11), drums (1, 3, 11, 13), guitar (1, 6, 11), horn (1), percussion (1, 3), piano (1, 5, 6, 11–13), synthesizer (1, 3, 11), Rhodes (3), conductor, strings (6, 9, 12); Moog bass (6), celesta (11)
- James Gardiner-Bateman – saxophones (1)
- Nichol Thompson – trombone (1, 13)
- Mike Davis – trumpet (1, 13)
- Tom Walsh – trumpet (1, 13)
- Vanessa Wood – background vocals (2, 4, 7, 10), vocal arrangement (2, 7), vocal programming (2, 4, 7)
- André Pinckney – bass (2, 4, 7, 10), acoustic guitar (4), electric guitar (4, 10), keyboards (7, 10)
- Ali Prawl – keyboards, keyboards arrangement (2, 4, 7, 10); drum programming (2, 4, 10), programming (2, 10)
- Scott M. Carter – programming, vocal programming (2, 4, 7, 10); drum programming (2, 7)
- Althea Edwards – background vocals (3, 5)
- Philly Lopez – background vocals (3, 5)
- Sharlene Hector – background vocals (3, 5)
- Teyana Miller – background vocals (3, 5, 13)
- Brian Bender – bass (3)
- John Ashton Thomas – conductor (3, 11, 13)
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – strings (3, 5, 11, 13)
- James Morgan – conductor (5)
- Keyon Harrold – trumpet (5)
- London Symphony Orchestra – strings (6, 9, 12)
- Fred White – background vocals (7, 11)
- Theron Feemster – keyboards (7, 13), drum programming (13)
- Autumn Rowe – background vocals (8)
- Charlie McClean – background vocals, bass, conga, percussion, piano, synthesizer (8)
- Evan Smith – background vocals, bass, electric guitar, flute, programming, saxophones, synthesizer (8)
- Ruth-Anne Cunningham – background vocals (8)
- Violet Skies – background vocals (8)
- Jack Antonoff – bass, bongos, drums, electric guitar, programming, synthesizer, tambourine (8)
- Mikey Freedom Hart – bass, electric guitar, keyboards, piano (8)
- Annie Clark – electric guitar (8)
- Cole Kamen-Green – trumpet (8)
- Bobby Hawk – trumpet (8)
- John Peters – digital piano, Moog bass, programming (9)
- Rodney Kendrick – piano (9)
- Michael Olatuja – upright bass (9)
- Bernard Lambert – drums (10)
- Chris Stevens – horn (10)
- Kyla Moscovich – horn (10)
- Aiden Miller – tambourine (12)
- Prince Charlez – background vocals (13)
- Paul Booth – baritone saxophone (13)
- Timothy Bloom – bass guitar, electric guitar (13)
Technical
- Randy Merrill – mastering
- Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (1–4, 6–12)
- Troy Miller – mixing (5, 13)
- Danny Allin – engineering (1)
- Matt Wolach – engineering (1–4, 6–12)
- Scott M. Carter – engineering (2, 4, 7, 10), vocal engineering (2), vocal production (2, 4, 7)
- Olga FitzRoy – engineering (3, 11, 13)
- Lewis Jones – engineering (5, 6, 9, 12)
- Laura Sisk – engineering (8)
- Pete Min – engineering (11)
- Patrick Collier – engineering (13)
- Tom Walsh – engineering (13)
- Vanessa Wood – additional engineering (4), vocal production (4)
- John Rooney – engineering assistance (8)
- Jon Sher – engineering assistance (8)
Artwork
- Jeri Heiden – design
- Nadia Flower Scribbles – illustrations
- Randee St. Nicholas – photography
Charts
Notes and References
- Diana Ross Talks New Album, Shares Title Track 'Thank You': Stream It Now. Billboard. Brandle. Lars. June 17, 2021. June 17, 2021.
- Web site: Diana Ross announces first new album in 15 years. The Guardian. Snapes. Laura. June 17, 2021. June 17, 2021.
- Web site: Get Ready for the First Diana Ross Album in 15 Years. Vulture. Squires. Bethy. June 17, 2021. June 17, 2021.
- Web site: Diana Ross is set to release her first studio album in 15 years. MSN.com. Coughlan. Ellen. June 16, 2021. June 17, 2021.
- Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. 25 June 2021. October 8, 2021.
- Web site: Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. June 25, 2021. October 8, 2021.
- Web site: Diana Ross: Thank You review – an anaemic comeback that should have been great | Diana Ross | The Guardian . Amp.theguardian.com . 2022-05-16.
- Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. October 15, 2021. October 29, 2021.
- Web site: Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. October 15, 2021. October 29, 2021.
- Web site: Thank You by Diana Ross Reviews and Tracks. Metacritic. November 10, 2021.
- Chuck. Arnold . November 5, 2021 . Diana Ross' 'Thank You,' her first album in 15 years, is a love letter to fans . February 27, 2022 . . en.
- Web site: ABBA soar to tenth Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart with Voyage: "We are absolutely over the moon". Official Charts Company. Ainsley. Helen. November 12, 2021. September 13, 2022.
- Web site: Part of Diana Ross ARIA Albums chart history 1988 to 2022, received from ARIA in 2022 page 2. ARIA. Imgur.com. December 3, 2023. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
- Web site: Top Albums – Semaine du 12 novembre 2021 . fr . . November 15, 2021.
- Web site: Hot Albums [2021/11/10 公開]]. Billboard Japan. ja. November 10, 2021.
