"7 Seconds"
Single by Youssou N'Dour and Neneh Cherry
from the album The Guide (Wommat)
Man
B-side"Mame Bamba"
Released16 May 1994
StudioPower Play (New York)
Length5:07
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Youssou N'Dour singles chronology
"Shakin' the Tree"
(1989)		 "7 Seconds"
(1994)		 "So Many Men"
(2002)
Neneh Cherry singles chronology
"Buddy X"
(1993)		 "7 Seconds"
(1994)		 "Love Can Build a Bridge"
(1995)
Music video
"7 Seconds" on YouTube

"7 Seconds" is a song composed by Senegalese and Swedish singer-songwriters Youssou N'Dour and Neneh Cherry with Cameron McVey and Jonathan Sharp. It was released in May 1994 by Columbia as a single performed by N'Dour and Cherry, and achieved success, reaching the number-one position in numerous countries; in France, it stayed at number one for 16 weeks, a record at the time. N'Dour featured the song on his seventh album, The Guide (Wommat) (1994), while Cherry included it on her 1996 album Man. "7 Seconds" also won the MTV Europe Music Award in the category for Best Song of 1994.[2] Its music video was directed by French director Stéphane Sednaoui. NME magazine ranked the song number 40 in their list of the 50 best songs of 1994.[3]

Recording

All instruments on the single were produced and arranged by Swedish music producer Christian Falk, who also played bass on the track.[1] It was included on Neneh Cherry's album Man (1996). The song is trilingual as N'Dour sings in three languages: French, English and the West African language Wolof. Cherry sings only in English.[4] The English chorus was actually recorded by another singer as Youssou was ill during the production of the song. It also appeared on N'Dour's 1994 album The Guide (Wommat), released shortly after the single.

The title and refrain of the song refers to the first moments of a child's life; as Cherry put it, "not knowing about the problems and violence in our world".[4] Shocked by the single's enormous commercial success, she told The Independent in an interview, "We did it as an experiment. The tune grew on its own, completely out of proportion. It was out there doing its own thing. But that is a dream when you write a song."[5]

Chart performance

"7 Seconds" was a worldwide hit, peaking within the top 10 of the charts in several countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands (number two), Sweden, Paraguay and the United Kingdom. It climbed to the top position in Finland, France, Iceland, Italy and Switzerland. It stayed at number one for 16 consecutive weeks on the French Singles Chart,[6] which was the record for the most weeks at the top position at the time. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song reached number two. It was awarded with a gold record in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Critical reception

A reviewer from Swedish Aftonbladet complimented the song as a "floating airy and heavenly beautiful synth ballad".[7] Peter Stepek from AllMusic called it a "vaguely menacing duet".[8] Larry Flick from Billboard felt that it is "unique and thoroughly pleasing", noting that the "haunting tune is padded with cushiony synths and a richly soulful bass line. Cherry offers a sweet and charming contrast to N'Dour's gritty vocal."[9] Troy J. Augusto from Cashbox wrote that the "compelling duet nicely swirls N'Dour’s husky vocals and Cherry's sweet, angelic voice into a nifty, down-tempo stroll that has broad radio potential." He added further that it is "powered by a rolling bass line and layers of passive synthesizer strains".[10] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report viewed the song as "music to stir the senses combined with lyrics that make a powerful case for our common humanity." He remarked that it "is especially powerful in light of recent events in South Africa and it's made that much more riveting by the melding of these two voices. Its worth spending some time with this amazing track."[11]

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton praised it as a "gorgeous ballad".[12] Pan-European magazine Music & Media complimented Cherry as "again brilliant", and also complimented the song as "melodic, synthy, sexy and with a slow beat."[13] Wendi Cermak from The Network Forty described it as "haunting".[14] Dele Fadele from NME named "7 Seconds" Single of the Week, noting that N'Dour duets with Cherry "to quite surprising results". He added that the voices "are pearls at 300 feet below sea level" and the arrangements "work wonders".[15] In a separate review, Fadele opined that the song "makes like a future African sci-fi rumination on colour prejudice, with Yossou N'Dour's beguiling tones on show."[16] David Sinclair from The Times wrote, "Built around a gentle boombox beat overlaid by drifting synthesizer chords, the song achieves the same seductive combination of rhythm and rumination that informed Bruce Springsteen's recent hit "Streets of Philadelphia"."[17]

Music video

The accompanying black-and-white music video for "7 Seconds" was directed by French director, photographer, film producer and actor Stéphane Sednaoui.[18][19] It features people of different ethnicities walking by while the two are singing. When they sing the chorus, different kinds of people's faces appear. The video received heavy rotation on MTV Europe[20] and was A-listed on Germany's VIVA in August 1994.[21]

Impact and legacy

NME magazine ranked "7 Seconds" number 40 in their list of the 50 best songs of 1994.[22] It was included in the 2010 book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. Eloise Parker remarked that "the soul of '7 seconds' is N'Dour's heartfelt vocals, sung in Wolof and French, enhanced by Cherry's haunting English-language chorus."[23]

Formats and track listings

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "7 Seconds"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[60] Gold 35,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[61] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[62] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[63] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[64] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[65] Platinum 10,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[66] Gold 25,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[67] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] Gold 420,000[69]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Christian Falk. "Christian Falk", Sommar & Vinter i P1, 26 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  2. ↑ Pride, Dominic (5 November 1994), "Brandenburg Gate Setting For First MTV Euro Awards", Billboard, vol. 106, no. 45, p. 10.
  3. ↑ "Albums and Tracks of the Year". NME. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Bio" (unofficial website). Neneh Cherry Online (NCO). Archived from the original on 25 October 2005. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  5. ↑ Dimery, Robert, ed. (2011) [2010]. "10,001 Songs You Must Hear…". 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. Octopus Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-84403-684-4.
  6. 1 2 "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  7. ↑ Aftonbladet. 21 May 1994.
  8. ↑ Stepek, Peter. "Youssou N'Dour – Guide (Wommat)". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  9. ↑ Flick, Larry (25 June 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 89. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  10. ↑ Augusto, Troy J. (2 July 1994). "Pop Singles: Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 7. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  11. ↑ Sholin, Dave (17 June 1994). "Gavin Picks: Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 62. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  12. ↑ Masterton, James (7 August 1994). "Week Ending August 13th 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  13. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 14 May 1994. p. 10. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  14. ↑ Cermak, Wendi (25 March 1994). "Crossover: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. p. 34. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  15. ↑ Fadele, Dele (25 June 1994). "Singles". NME. p. 43. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  16. ↑ Fadele, Dele. "NENEH CHERRY – Man". NME. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  17. ↑ Sinclair, David (25 June 1994). "Pop Singles; Recordings". The Times.
  18. ↑ "mvdbase.com – Youssou N'Dour – '7 seconds [version 1]'". Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  19. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry: 7 Seconds (1994)". IMDb.
  20. ↑ "Station Reports > MTV Europe/London" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 August 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  21. ↑ "Station Reports > VIVA TV/Cologne" (PDF). Music & Media. 13 August 1994. p. 14. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  22. ↑ "Albums and Tracks of the Year". NME. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  23. ↑ Dimery, Robert, ed. (2011) [2010]. "10,001 Songs You Must Hear…". 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. Octopus Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-84403-684-4.
  24. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  25. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  26. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2627." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  28. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2628." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  29. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 31. 30 July 1994. p. 10. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  30. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media Inc. 29 October 1994. p. 58.
  31. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 October 1994. p. 18. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  32. ↑ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  33. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  34. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (21.07.1994 - 27.07.1994)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 21 July 1994. p. 16. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  35. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – 7 Seconds". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  36. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 38. 17 September 1994. p. 16. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  37. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  38. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  39. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  40. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds". VG-lista. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  41. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  42. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 7 January 1995. p. 40.
  43. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  44. ↑ "Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  45. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  46. ↑ "Youssou NDour Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  47. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1994". ARIA. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  48. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1994" (in German). Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  49. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  50. ↑ "1994 in Review – Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. 24 December 1994. p. 24. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  51. ↑ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1994" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  52. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1994" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  53. ↑ "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1995. p. 16. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  54. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40: Single top 100 over 1994" (PDF) (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  55. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1994" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  56. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1994". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  57. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  58. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1994" (in German). Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  59. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. 14 January 1995. p. 9.
  60. ↑ "The ARIA Report – Australian Top 100 Singles 1994 – No. 29". Australian Recording Industry Association. Imgur. Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  61. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Youssou N´Dour + Neneh Cherry – Seven Seconds (Single)" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  62. ↑ "French single certifications – Youssou'n Dour – 7 Seconds" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  63. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry; '7 Seconds')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  64. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Youssou n'Dour – Seven Seconds" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 5 June 2021. Enter Seven Seconds in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1994 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  65. ↑ Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006. Maurienne House. ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8.
  66. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  67. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('7 Seconds')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  68. ↑ "British single certifications – Youssou N'dour Ft Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  69. ↑ Myers, Justin (5 September 2014). "Number 1 today in 1994: Wet Wet Wet see off Kylie's comeback". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2021.

Further reading

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