"Paid My Dues" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her second studio album, Freak of Nature (2001). It was released on November 12, 2001, as the album's lead single. The song was written by Anastacia, Greg Lawson, Damon Sharpe, and LaMenga Kafi and was produced by Ric Wake with additional production by Richie Jones.
"Paid My Dues" became a commercial success, reaching number one in Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as peaking within the top 10 in several other mainland European countries.
Composition "Paid My Dues" was written by Anastacia, LaMenga Kafi, Greg Lawson, and Damon Sharpe, while production was handled by Ric Wake, with additional production by Richie Jones. Anastacia wrote the song about her early career in the music industry. In an interview with Billboard, she said: "For years, I had been told my voice was too black, that I should get contacts and ditch the glasses, that I was too in-your-face, the list goes on. Now, these are the very things that people respond to." According to James Salmon from Yahoo! Music, the song is a "typically robust 'go girl' anthem."
Critical reception Jose F. Promis writing for AllMusic called the song "the soulful, bombastic rocker". Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine wrote that "her tenacious attitude on songs like 'Paid My Dues' carve a unique niche for the singer." Aidin Vaziri wrote for Rolling Stone that the song is "grating" and one of Freak of Natures "moments of sheer overkill".
Music video Directed by Liz Friedlander, the music video for "Paid My Dues" was shot in Los Angeles, California. In the beginning, Anastacia is speaking virtually inside multiple large monitors. Afterwards she is seen in her room packing her suitcases. Following this, she is trying to make her way through various men in a small room. Then she is in a disco, where she successfully finds her way through people dancing, this time to enter the stage through another monitor, eventually performing her song. In the end she pulls out the electricity cable, powering off the large monitors seen in the beginning.
Track listingsUK CD single "Paid My Dues" – 3:20 "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar mix) – 5:25 "I Dreamed You" – 5:08UK cassette single "Paid My Dues" – 3:20 "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar radio edit) – 3:29 "I Dreamed You" – 5:08European CD1 "Paid My Dues" – 3:20 "Funk Medley" (live from Amsterdam) – 7:30European CD2 "Paid My Dues" – 3:20 "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar mix) – 5:25 "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar dub mix) – 5:23 "Funk Medley" (live from Amsterdam) – 7:30Australian CD single "Paid My Dues" "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar radio edit) "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar mix) "I Dreamed You" (album version) "Funk Medley" (live from Amsterdam)
Credits and personnel Credits are taken from the European CD1 liner notes.Studios Recorded at Cove City Sound Studios (Glen Cove, New York, US) and Sony Music Studios (New York City) Mixed at Cove City Sound Studios (Glen Cove, New York, US)Personnel'
Anastacia – writing, vocals, backing vocals Greg Lawson, Damon Sharpe – writing LaMenga Kafi – writing, backing vocals Nicki Richards, Danny Madden – backing vocals Eric Kupper – keyboards, guitars Marc Russell – bass guitar, production coordination Ric Wake – production, arrangement Richie Jones – additional production, arrangement, mixing, drum programming Dan Hetzel – mixing, engineering Jim Annunziato – engineering assistant "Young" Dave Scheuer – recording Thomas R. Yezzi – recording (lead vocals) Lisa Braudé – executive production
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2001–2002)PeakpositionCroatia International (HRT)2Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)2Greece (IFPI) See Best column.6Hungary (MAHASZ)1Italy (FIMI)1 Poland (Polish Airplay Chart)2Portugal (AFP)2Romania (Romanian Top 100)3
Year-end charts Chart (2001)PositionNetherlands (Dutch Top 40)92Netherlands (Single Top 100)69 Sweden (Hitlistan)47Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)64 Chart (2002)PositionAustria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)14Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)75Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)15France (SNEP)78Germany (Media Control)26Italy (FIMI)26Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)38Netherlands (Single Top 100)68Sweden (Hitlistan)36Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)11
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s) France November 12, 2001 Sony Music Germany Australia November 19, 2001 CD United Kingdom RCA
References