Your Body's Callin' Explained

Your Body's Callin
Cover:	Your Body's Callin' by R Kelly US CD The Remixes 1994.jpg
Caption:	US CD maxi-single
Type:	single
Artist:	R. Kelly
Album:	12 Play
Length:	4:37
Label:	Jive
Producer:	R. Kelly
Prev Title:	Bump N' Grind
Prev Year:	1994
Next Title:	You Remind Me of Something
Next Year:	1995

"Your Body's Callin" is a song by American singer and songwriter R. Kelly, released in March 1994 by Jive as the third single from his debut album, 12 Play (1993). The song, both written and produced by Kelly, peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 40 in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Kelly also released a remix as a B-side to the single featuring Aaliyah called the "Your Body's Calling His N Hers Mix". Millicent Shelton directed the song's music video.

Critical reception

Michael Bonner from Melody Maker commented, "I guess, deep down, I'm an old softie at heart — and, whenever I hear soul like this that's as smooth as a Galaxy chocolate bar, I can't help reaching for my Barry White chest wig. There's a gentle, inoffensive bass, husky backing vocals, sleek production, and R Kelly's voice: soft, insistent, persuasive. Cos he knows, you know. He knows your body's calling. Oh, yes he does."^[1] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave the song four out of five and named it Pick of the Week in the category of Dance, writing, "Having narrowly missed out on a mainstream Top 40 placing with his last single, "Bump'n'Grind", R Kelly looks set to be more successful with this smooth and mellow soul ballad. Not only is it a stronger song, but it will be helped by the US singer's recent UK tour, which included a four-night stint at the Apollo Hammersmith."^[2] James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update deemed it a "sexy tortuous 67bpm slow jam".^[3]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Your Body's Callin was directed by American music video, television and film director Millicent Shelton.^[4] The video, set to appear that it was filmed in the summer, was filmed in the winter.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1994)	Peak position
UK Dance (Music Week)^[5]	12
UK Club Chart (Music Week)^[6]	75

Year-end charts

Chart (1994)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[7]	64
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[8]	9

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	April 1994		Jive	^[9]
United Kingdom	May 2, 1994			^[10]

Samplings and covers

• Hip hop producer DJ Premier sampled Kelly singing "It's unbelievable" for the Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Unbelievable" on his album Ready to Die released later in 1994.
• The song has been interpolated the line by Ron Isley's longtime collaborator Kelly by the Isley Brothers on the song "Warm Summer Nights", with background vocals by Angela Winbush towards the end of the track from the album Eternal, released in 2001.
• The song has also been sampled by Whodini on the song "Be My Lady" also featuring Kelly, from their album Six.
• Norman Brown covered the song in 1996 in his album Better Days Ahead.

Notes and References

1. Michael. Bonner. Singles. Melody Maker. April 15, 1995. 34. December 30, 2023.
2. Andy . Beevers . Market Preview: Dance - Pick of the Week . . April 9, 1994 . 15 . April 16, 2021.
3. James . Hamilton . Dj directory . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . May 14, 1994 . 7 . April 17, 2021 . James Hamilton (DJ and journalist).
4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472896/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_dr#directors R. Kelly: The R. in R&B - The Video Collection (Video 2003) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb
5. Dance Singles . . May 14, 1994 . 28 . April 25, 2021.
6. The RM Club Chart. Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). April 2, 1994. 4. May 15, 2023.
7. Web site: Billboard Top 100 - 1994. August 27, 2010.
8. Web site: R&B Rap Hip-Hop Year-End Charts – 1994 – Soul System.
9. Terri Rossi's Rhythm Section. Rossi. Terri. Billboard. 106. 15. 22. April 9, 1994. 'Your Body's Calling' will be released in late April from Kelly's album..
10. Single Releases. Music Week. 21. April 30, 1994.