Words (Tony Rich album)

Last updated
Words
Tonyrich.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 16, 1996
Recorded1995
Studio Doppler (Atlanta, Georgia)
Genre R&B, pop
Length41:34
Label LaFace, Arista
Producer Tony Rich
The Tony Rich Project chronology
Words
(1996)
Birdseye
(1998)
Singles from Words
  1. "Nobody Knows"
    Released: November 7, 1995
  2. "Like a Woman"
    Released: August 5, 1996
  3. "Leavin'"
    Released: November 11, 1996

Words is the debut album by American R&B musician Tony Rich (under the moniker "The Tony Rich Project"), released January 16, 1996, on LaFace Records. The album was produced, written, arranged and performed by Rich. In 1997, the album won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. [1]

Contents

At the start of 1996 with the acoustic R&B ballad, "Nobody Knows", the song was a hit, peaking at number two for two weeks, going platinum, and spending almost a year on the Billboard Hot 100 (47 weeks). [2]

Three singles were released from Words: "Nobody Knows", "Like a Woman", and "Leavin'".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Robert Christgau Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg [4]
Entertainment Weekly A [5]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [7]
Muzik Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]

The New York Times opined: "Without deviating from the slick, smooth standards of today's pop, [Rich] manages to find his own sound, a mostly acoustic groove topped with laid-back, free-flowing vocals about love, street life and spirituality." [12] The Village Voice concluded that "without a doubt Words is one of the most meticulously arranged collections by an African American pop musician since the '80s heyday of Quincy Jones and [Lionel] Richie & producer James Carmichael." [13]

Track listing

All songs written by Tony Rich except "Nobody Knows" (written by Joe Rich & Don DuBose). [14]

  1. "Hey Blue" – 3:48
  2. "Nobody Knows" – 5:06
  3. "Like a Woman" – 4:08
  4. "Grass is Green" – 4:08
  5. "Ghost" – 4:21
  6. "Leavin'" – 3:44
  7. "Billy Goat" – 4:11
  8. "Under Her Spell" – 4:24
  9. "Little Ones" – 3:37
  10. "Missin' You" – 3:49

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Words
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [23] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

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  12. Strauss, Neil (11 Feb 1996). "New Releases". The New York Times. p. 2.30.
  13. George, Nelson (12 Mar 1996). "Nouveau Rich". The Village Voice. Vol. 41, no. 11. p. 57.
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