Sweetness (Michelle Gayle song)

Last updated
"Sweetness"
Michelle Gayle-Sweetness.jpg
Single by Michelle Gayle
from the album Michelle Gayle
B-side
  • "Say What's on Your Mind"
  • "Looking Up"
Released12 September 1994 (1994-09-12)
Genre R&B
Length3:41
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Narada Michael Walden
  • Preston Glass
Michelle Gayle singles chronology
"Looking Up"
(1993)
"Sweetness"
(1994)
"I'll Find You"
(1994)

"Sweetness" is a song by British R&B-soul singer, songwriter, actress and author Michelle Gayle, released on 12 September 1994 by RCA and 1st Avenue as the second single from Gayle's eponymous debut album (1994). It is her most successful hit single, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK R&B Singles Chart. It also peaked within the top 40 in New Zealand and several countries across Europe, including Denmark, where it entered the top 10 and peaked at number seven.

Contents

Critical reception

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "The follow-up has been a long time in coming but has been well worth the wait, belying the soap origins of the singer. Radio loves it to death, hence this high entry and I would be very surprised if this does not scrape a Top 10 placing." [1] He added, "Its the kind of single that grows on you with each play". [2] A reviewer from Music & Media commented, "Like tea-for-one, there's now also new jill swing for individuals. The radio mix is the sweetest, but the West End mix is far more adventurous and memorable." [3] Alan Jones from Music Week wrote, "Penned by Narada Michael Walden and Preston Glass, it's quite odd with some ill-advised spoken segments alongside the better sung parts. It never gets into overdrive, but will still be a hit." [4] Emma Forrest from NME viewed it as "disconcertingly cheery". [5] Rob Pendry of Swansea Sound called the song "excellent" and concluded that "Sweetness" set a "great future" for Gayle, proving she could branch out from her acting career. [6]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [31] Silver200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United Kingdom12 September 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[31] [32]
Japan8 March 1995Mini-CDRCA [33]

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