Newborn Friend

"Newborn Friend"
Single by Seal
from the album Seal
Released	24 October 1994 (1994-10-24)
Length	4:05
Label	ZTT Sire
Songwriter(s)	Seal
Producer(s)	Trevor Horn
Seal singles chronology
"Kiss from a Rose" (1994) "Newborn Friend" (1994) "I'm Alive" (1995)
Music video
"Newborn Friend" on YouTube

"Newborn Friend" is a song by British singer-songwriter Seal, released in October 1994 by ZTT and Sire Records as the third single from his second studio album, Seal (also known as Seal II) (1994). The song was written by Seal and produced by Trevor Horn. It peaked at number 45 on the UK Singles Chart, while reaching number two on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart. The accompanying music video was directed by English musician and music video director Lol Creme. ^[1]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "From the opening line, I wash my faith in dirty water, you know that this follow-up to the recent hit 'Prayer for the Dying' is not going to be a typical top 40 ditty. However, the assistance of producer Trevor Horn's savvy ear for lush instrumentation and groove, and Seal's knack for crafting tight and catchy hooks, keep the track from getting too dark and maudlin. In fact, the arrangement builds to a musical conclusion that is positively bright and toe-tapping." ^[2] Another Billboard editor, Melinda Newman, noted, "With its strong rhythmic pulse, the escapist beat of 'Newborn Friend' belies the inner conflicts the lyrics portray." ^[3] Dele Fadele from NME commented, "'Newborn Friend' visits Phil Collins' Spanish villa, with all manner of studio trickery by Trevor Horn. That is: a complex bundle of nothingness that is unlikely to gain airplay even on Virgin FM." ^[4]

Track listings

UK and Germany CD (1994)(ZANG58CD) "Newborn Friend" (The Silver Mix) – 4:06 "Newborn Friend" (Morales Radio Mix) – 3:54 "Newborn Friend" (Brothers in Rhythm Club Mix) – 8:42 "Newborn Friend" (Morales Club Mix) – 9:10 "Newborn Friend" (Mo-Mo's Bass Mix) – 6:00 "Newborn Friend" (Friend for Life) – 9:02 UK remixes CD (1994)(ZANG58CD2) "Newborn Friend" (Morales Club Mix II) – 9:09 "Newborn Friend" (Morales Dub II) – 7:27 "Newborn Friend" ((Tasty) Tom Elmhirst Mix) – 10:48 UK 12-inch (1994)(ZANG58T) "Newborn Friend" (Morales Club Mix) – 9:10 "Newborn Friend" (Morales Dub) – 7:26 "Newborn Friend" (Brothers in Rhythm Club Mix) – 8:42 "Newborn Friend" (Friend for Life) – 9:02 UK 12-inch (1994)(SAM 1448) "Newborn Friend" (Morales Club Mix) – 9:10 "Newborn Friend" (Morales Dub) – 7:26 "Newborn Friend" (Morales Radio Mix) – 3:54 "Newborn Friend" (Mo-Mo's Bass Mix) – 6:00

US CD (1994)(2-18053) "Newborn Friend" (The Silver Mix) – 4:06 "Blues In 'E'" – 3:43 US CD (1994)(9 41764-2) "Newborn Friend" (The Silver Mix) – 4:06 "Newborn Friend" (Morales Club Mix) – 9:10 "The Wind Cries Mary" – 3:54 "Newborn Friend" (Brothers in Rhythm Club Mix) – 8:42 "Newborn Friend" (Friend for Life) – 9:02 "Blues In 'E'" – 3:43 "Newborn Friend" (Mo-Mo's Bass Mix) – 6:00 "Newborn Friend" (Morales Radio Mix) – 3:54 US 12-inch (1994)(0-41764) "Newborn Friend" (Morales Club Mix) – 9:10 "Newborn Friend" (Morales Dub) – 7:26 "Newborn Friend" (Brothers in Rhythm Club Mix) – 8:42 "Newborn Friend" (Friend for Life) – 9:02

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Newborn Friend" Chart (1994–1995) Peak position Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [5] 6 Europe (European Dance Radio) [6] 16 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) [7] 8 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [8] 24 UK Singles (OCC) [9] 45 UK Airplay ( Music Week ) [10] 18 UK Club Chart ( Music Week ) [11] 12 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 ( Billboard ) [12] 9 US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [13] 2

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Newborn Friend" Chart (1995) Position Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [14] 58

References

1. "Seal: Newborn Friend 1994". movieposterdb.com. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
2. Flick, Larry (1 October 1994). "Single Reviews: Pop" (PDF). Billboard . p. 59. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
3. Newman, Melinda (28 May 1994). "The Beat: Seal Delivers On Fab Sophomore Set; Recording Added To School Curriculum" (PDF). Billboard . p. 11. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
4. Fadele, Dele (22 October 1994). "Singles". NME . p. 50. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
5. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2715." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
6. "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 46. 12 November 1994. p. 30. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
7. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 Vikan 3.11–9.11 '94". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 3 November 1994. p. 16. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
8. "Seal – Newborn Friend". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
10. "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week . 19 November 1994. p. 21. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
11. "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 8 October 1994. p. 6. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
12. "Seal Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
13. "Seal Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
14. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2840." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 25, 2025.