From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2003 single by Sting and Mary J. Blige

"Whenever I Say Your Name" is a duet recorded by English musician Sting and American singer Mary J. Blige, for Sting`s seventh studio album Sacred Love (2003). It was written and produced by Sting, and co-produced by Mark "Kipper" Eldridge. Although not originally included on Blige`s sixth studio album Love & Life (2003), the track was subsequently added to its international reissue.

"Whenever I Say Your Name" was released as the second single from Sacred Love, and the fourth single from Love & Life, on 8 December 2003, by A&M Records. It peaked at number 60 on the UK Singles Chart, marking Sting`s lowest-peaking single since "They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo)" (1988), and Blige`s lowest-peaking single ever. Despite its commercial underperformance, the song won Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards (2004).

Background

"Whenever I Say Your Name" was written and produced by Sting for his seventh studio album Sacred Love (2003).[1] Production was helmed by Sting and Mark "Kipper" Eldridge.[1] The singer felt inspired to work with Blige ever since they performed together on the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. In 2003, he told LAUNCHcast: "I was totally blown away by her passionate, open singing [...] I had decided on that night that I`d love to write a song for her one day, and I came up with this idea of "Whenever I Say Your Name" – that`s perfect for her, you know? It`s very romantic. It also has a kind of religious component – you know, she`s very churchy in the way she sings."[2]

Critical reception

Alan Light from The Los Angeles Times described "Whenever I Say Your Name" as "a knockout duet,"[2] while Entertainment Weekly`s Tom Sinclair called it a "erotically charged duet" and further wrote: "[Sting] unites the secular and the sacred with the phrase "Whenever I say your name, I’m already praying"."[3] Riff Magazine`s Alexander Baechle found that "Blige oozes exuberance on "Whenever I Say Your Name." Both Blige and Sting take the opportunity to play to their strengths. Sting begins the tune with a characteristically moody, subtle verse. Imperceptibly, the song morphs into a borderline funk romp, pushing Blige’s power vocals to the fore."[4]

Music video

A music video for "Whenever I Say Your Name" was directed by frequent Sting collaborator Jim Gable.[5]

Track listings

All tracks written by Sting.[6]

Notes

• ^[a] denotes remix producer

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Sacred Love.[1]

• Mary J. Blige – vocals
• Kipper – producer
• Simon Osborn – engineer
• Sting – producer, vocals, writer

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Whenever I Say Your Name"

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Whenever I Say Your Name"