Rockferry
Encyclopedia
Rockferry is the debut studio album
by Welsh
blue-eyed soul
singer Duffy
, released on 3 March 2008 in the United Kingdom by A&M Records
. It was released in the United States by Mercury Records
. Duffy worked with several producers and writers on the album, including Bernard Butler
, Steve Booker
, Jimmy Hogarth
and Eg White
. The album took four years to record in total.
The album has won a number of awards since its release, including the Grammy Award
for Best Pop Vocal Album
at the 51st annual ceremony (2009). Duffy also won three awards at the 2009 BRIT Awards
for her work on Rockferry including Best British Album, whilst Butler was given the Producer's Award.
It was a commercial success, reaching number-one in several music markets. It was the fourth best selling album of 2008 worldwide according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the highest of that year in the United Kingdom. In the UK the album was still in the top five a full year after its release, spending most of those weeks in the top ten albums, and a significant amount in the top three. In 2010, it was ranked the 22nd best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK.
A total of six single
s were released from the album. The first single, "Rockferry
" had little impact, whilst the second and lead single internationally, "Mercy
", was an international hit, topping over twelve music charts. It was the third-best-selling single of 2008 in the UK. Follow-up single "Warwick Avenue
" was another successful single, whilst "Stepping Stone
" did not replicate early success.
Rockferry was re-released as a deluxe edition on 24 November 2008 in the UK, preceded by the lead single "Rain on Your Parade
".
, a suburb of Birkenhead
, on the Wirral Peninsula
and approximately ten miles from the Welsh border and three miles from Liverpool
. The album art and video for the title track
were shot on and around the Ffestiniog Railway
in Porthmadog
, which was renamed 'Rockferry' for the occasion. The timing of the photoshoot was somewhat before the release of the album, when Duffy was still a relatively unknown performer. In 2010, the song "Distant Dreamer" was sung by Rebecca Ferguson
, a contestant on the seventh series
of UK talent show The X Factor
on the live final, as her potential winner's song. Had she won, her cover would have been her debut single.
, the album has generally received positive reviews from critics. The Observer
, for example, gave the album a 5 out of 5, describing it as 'a fantastic album of burning blue soul' and drawing comparisons to Amy Winehouse
and The Supremes
.
The album has earned a nomination for the 2008 MOJO Awards
in the category of "Album of The Year". In addition "Mercy" has been nominated for "Song of the Year".
Music critic site Metacritic
has given the album an aggregate review of 71 out of 100, based solely on reviews by professional critics. Entertainment Weekly, gave the album a score of 91 of 100 (A-) and compared the album to one of Dusty Springfield
's, saying "Once the Dusty Springfield-flecked closer, 'Distant Dreamer,' comes round, you'll be wishin' and hopin' for more".
Top-ten lists, 2008:
's Accelerate
, it again rose to the top a week later. This makes a cumulative total of five weeks in the number one spot. In the UK, the album spent a total of twenty six weeks (twenty five consecutive) inside the Top Four - five at number one, eight at number two, seven at number three, and six at number four. On 31 August 2008 it fell four places from number three to number seven, but climbed back up to number four the following week.
After leaving the top ten, the album re-entered the albums top ten at number ten then climbed four places to number six in the last week of 2008. In the first week of 2009, the album continued to climb the chart and ranked at number three on the UK Albums Chart
behind Kings of Leon's "Only By The Night" at number two and Take That's "the Circus" being at the top spot.
The album received yet another sales boost after the 2009 Brit Awards
where Rockferry won the award for Best British Album and where Duffy won a further two awards. Sales of the album increased by 66% and it jumped from nineteen on the UK Albums Chart
back into the top five to land at number four. Its re-entry back into the top five coincided with its first year anniversary on sale and when the album entered the chart at number one. The fact that the album was still in the top five a year after release is considered by many to be a fantastic commercial performance by the album.
In Spain, the album debuted at number two, a very high position for a debuting singer. It has sold 40,000 copies so far. In France, Rockferry entered the charts at number four selling 21,862 copies. The next week, it reached number two selling 22,259 copies. Rockferry stayed at number two selling 18,187 copies the third week. So far the album sold 420,000 copies in France.
In New Zealand, the album debuted at number two in the week starting 14 April 2008, and the following week knocked Amy Winehouse
's multi-platinum album Back to Black
off to claim the top spot. Rockferry was certified Gold after three weeks on the chart, selling in the excess of 7,500+ copies. The album was then certified Platinum after eight weeks selling 15,000+ copies, 2x Platinum after twenty-two weeks with 30,000+ copies sold and 3x Platinum with over 45,000 copies sold.
In America, the album sold 16,000 copies in its first day, and sold 72,000 in its first week, debuting at number four on the Billboard 200
. Universal Music Group
stated that Rockferry is the best American debut for one of its UK acts. Total U.S. sales stand at 848,000.
In February 2008 the Aimée Duffy EP reached the number 1 spot on Siart C2.
When the single "Mercy
" hit the top of the charts in February 2008 Duffy became the first Welsh female to top the UK Singles Chart in 25 years, since Bonnie Tyler
with "Total Eclipse Of The Heart
". It remained at number one for five weeks. The second single from the album, "Warwick Avenue" was at the number 3 position on the UK Singles Chart
. Subsequent single "Stepping Stone
" peaked at number 21 and title track at number 45. The single "Rain on Your Parade" debuted at number twenty-two on 10 November and rose to a peak of number fifteen the following week.
With a total of 1.685m physical and digital sales, Rockferry was the best selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008. "Mercy" was the third best selling single for the year with over 500,000 copies sold.
As of 26 December 2008 in its 43rd week on the charts Rockferry had risen to the number 6 position from number 10 the previous week. The week following her 3 Brit Award victories in February 2009 the album rose from number 19 position to number 4.
United States
In the United States, the album peaked at the number 4 on the Billboard 200. The singles "Mercy" and "Warwick Avenue" peaked at number 27 and 96 respectively. By November 2008, 500,000 copies of Rockferry had been sold and had been certified Gold
by the RIAA. "Mercy" has also been certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of more than one million copies in the US.
In the first quarter of 2009 Rockferry sold 107,000 copies ranking it 13th among international artists and 73rd overall.
Worldwide
Rockferry topped the Pan-European Album Chart, and "Mercy" topped the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles chart on 21 April 2008. On 12 June the album topped the European albums charts with Mercy at number 2 on the European singles chart. By 21 August Rockferry had reached number one in 11 markets. On 30 October Rockferry had been in the top 100 on Billboards Euro Albums chart for 34 straight weeks and was residing at the number 10 position. Rockferry was the world's fourth bestselling album in 2008. By September 2010 the album had sold 6.5 million copies.
Notes
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul is a media term that was used to describe rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists, with a strong pop music influence. The term was first used in the mid-1960s to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and...
singer Duffy
Duffy (singer)
Aimée Ann Duffy , known as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Her 2008 debut album Rockferry entered the UK Album Chart at number one. It was the best-selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008 with 1.68 million copies sold...
, released on 3 March 2008 in the United Kingdom by A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
. It was released in the United States by Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
. Duffy worked with several producers and writers on the album, including Bernard Butler
Bernard Butler
Bernard Joseph Butler is an English musician and record producer. He first emerged in the early Britpop era with Suede. He has been hailed by some critics as the greatest guitarist of his generation, as well as one of Britain's most original and influential guitarists...
, Steve Booker
Steve Booker (producer)
Steve Booker is an award-winning British music producer and songwriter best known for "Mercy", "Stepping Stone" and "Rain on Your Parade", three hits he produced and co-wrote for Duffy's Brit and Grammy award winning debut album "Rockferry"...
, Jimmy Hogarth
Jimmy Hogarth
Jimmy Hogarth is a London-based producer and songwriter, whose production and writing credits include Amy Winehouse, Sia, Paolo Nutini, Duffy, Corinne Bailey Rae, Estelle, Tina Turner, KT Tunstall, James Blunt and James Morrison....
and Eg White
Eg White
Francis Anthony "Eg" White is a British musician, songwriter and producer. White is primarily known for his work with successful commercial pop acts such as Adele, Duffy, Will Young and James Morrison...
. The album took four years to record in total.
The album has won a number of awards since its release, including the Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Pop Vocal Album
Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album
The Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality pop music albums...
at the 51st annual ceremony (2009). Duffy also won three awards at the 2009 BRIT Awards
2009 BRIT Awards
The 2009 BRIT Awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 18 February 2009. It was the 29th edition of the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The awards ceremony was held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London, and was broadcast live on ITV1 on 18 February at 8pm...
for her work on Rockferry including Best British Album, whilst Butler was given the Producer's Award.
It was a commercial success, reaching number-one in several music markets. It was the fourth best selling album of 2008 worldwide according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the highest of that year in the United Kingdom. In the UK the album was still in the top five a full year after its release, spending most of those weeks in the top ten albums, and a significant amount in the top three. In 2010, it was ranked the 22nd best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK.
A total of six single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
s were released from the album. The first single, "Rockferry
Rockferry (song)
"Rockferry" is the debut single by Duffy, written by Duffy and Bernard Butler. It is the first track on the album Rockferry.-Song information:...
" had little impact, whilst the second and lead single internationally, "Mercy
Mercy (song)
"Mercy" is a soul song performed by Welsh blue-eyed soul singer Duffy, released as the second single from her debut album, Rockferry . Co-written by Duffy and Steve Booker and produced by Booker, it was released over 2008 worldwide to critical acclaim and unprecedented chart success...
", was an international hit, topping over twelve music charts. It was the third-best-selling single of 2008 in the UK. Follow-up single "Warwick Avenue
Warwick Avenue (song)
"Warwick Avenue" is the third single from the album Rockferry by Duffy. The title refers to Warwick Avenue tube station in London. It was written by Jimmy Hogarth, Eg White, and Duffy and produced by Hogarth. It was released in May 2008, but had already charted by March and April due to download...
" was another successful single, whilst "Stepping Stone
Stepping Stone (Duffy song)
"Stepping Stone" is the fourth single by Duffy from her debut album Rockferry. The single was officially released as both a digital download and CD single on September 1, 2008 in the United Kingdom. Although it followed the massive success of previous singles "Mercy" and "Warwick Avenue", it did...
" did not replicate early success.
Rockferry was re-released as a deluxe edition on 24 November 2008 in the UK, preceded by the lead single "Rain on Your Parade
Rain on Your Parade
"Rain on Your Parade" is a song by Welsh recording artist Duffy from her debut studio album, Rockferry. Written by Duffy and Steve Booker, the song was released as the first single from the album's deluxe edition, and fifth overall, on 9 February 2009, by A&M Records...
".
Background
The album title Rockferry, according to Duffy, is loosely based on Rock FerryRock Ferry
Rock Ferry is an area of Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula, England. Administratively it is a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Before local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974, it was part of the county of Cheshire...
, a suburb of Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
, on the Wirral Peninsula
Wirral Peninsula
Wirral or the Wirral is a peninsula in North West England. It is bounded by three bodies of water: to the west by the River Dee, forming a boundary with Wales, to the east by the River Mersey and to the north by the Irish Sea. Both terms "Wirral" and "the Wirral" are used locally , although the...
and approximately ten miles from the Welsh border and three miles from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. The album art and video for the title track
Rockferry (song)
"Rockferry" is the debut single by Duffy, written by Duffy and Bernard Butler. It is the first track on the album Rockferry.-Song information:...
were shot on and around the Ffestiniog Railway
Ffestiniog Railway
The Ffestiniog Railway is a narrow gauge heritage railway, located in Gwynedd, Wales. It is a major tourist attraction located mainly within the Snowdonia National Park....
in Porthmadog
Porthmadog
Porthmadog , known locally as "Port", and historically rendered into English as Portmadoc, is a small coastal town and community in the Eifionydd area of Gwynedd, in Wales. Prior to the Local Government Act 1972 it was in the administrative county of Caernarfonshire. The town lies east of...
, which was renamed 'Rockferry' for the occasion. The timing of the photoshoot was somewhat before the release of the album, when Duffy was still a relatively unknown performer. In 2010, the song "Distant Dreamer" was sung by Rebecca Ferguson
Rebecca Ferguson (singer)
Rebecca Ferguson is an English singer-songwriter born in Liverpool, who became notable as the runner-up of the seventh series of The X Factor to Matt Cardle in 2010. She released her debut single "Nothing Real but Love" on 20 November 2011...
, a contestant on the seventh series
The X Factor (UK series 7)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a £1 million recording contract with the Syco Music record label. The seventh series started on ITV on 21 August 2010 and ended on 12 December 2010. The winner was Matt Cardle and...
of UK talent show The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
on the live final, as her potential winner's song. Had she won, her cover would have been her debut single.
Reception
Aside from a largely unenthusiastic review by NMENME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
, the album has generally received positive reviews from critics. The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
, for example, gave the album a 5 out of 5, describing it as 'a fantastic album of burning blue soul' and drawing comparisons to Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
and The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
.
The album has earned a nomination for the 2008 MOJO Awards
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
in the category of "Album of The Year". In addition "Mercy" has been nominated for "Song of the Year".
Music critic site Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
has given the album an aggregate review of 71 out of 100, based solely on reviews by professional critics. Entertainment Weekly, gave the album a score of 91 of 100 (A-) and compared the album to one of Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
's, saying "Once the Dusty Springfield-flecked closer, 'Distant Dreamer,' comes round, you'll be wishin' and hopin' for more".
Top-ten lists, 2008:
- 4th – Michael Hollett, New TorontoNew TorontoThe historic Town of New Toronto is a neighbourhood in the south-west end of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the south-centre of the former Township of Etobicoke and was an independent municipality from 1913 to 1967, one of the former 'Lakeshore Municipalities'...
- 6th – QQ (magazine)Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
- 9th – Billboard
- 10th – Josh TyrangielJosh TyrangielJosh Tyrangiel is a journalist, and editor of Bloomberg Businessweek. He joined the magazine following its acquisition by Bloomberg L.P. in December 2009. Prior to joining Bloomberg Businessweek, Tyrangiel was deputy managing editor of TIME magazine and managing editor of TIME.com...
, TIME
Release
On its first day of release in the UK the album sold 60,000 copies, outselling the rest of the top ten combined and setting it on course to become one of the fastest selling debuts ever. It sold 180,000 copies in the UK alone in its first week, and consequently spent four weeks at the top spot. Despite falling to number two in the charts after the release of R.E.M.R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
's Accelerate
Accelerate (R.E.M. album)
Accelerate is the 14th studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on March 31, 2008 in Europe, and on April 1 in North America. Produced with Jacknife Lee, Accelerate was intended as a departure from the 2004 album Around the Sun. R.E.M...
, it again rose to the top a week later. This makes a cumulative total of five weeks in the number one spot. In the UK, the album spent a total of twenty six weeks (twenty five consecutive) inside the Top Four - five at number one, eight at number two, seven at number three, and six at number four. On 31 August 2008 it fell four places from number three to number seven, but climbed back up to number four the following week.
After leaving the top ten, the album re-entered the albums top ten at number ten then climbed four places to number six in the last week of 2008. In the first week of 2009, the album continued to climb the chart and ranked at number three on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
behind Kings of Leon's "Only By The Night" at number two and Take That's "the Circus" being at the top spot.
The album received yet another sales boost after the 2009 Brit Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
where Rockferry won the award for Best British Album and where Duffy won a further two awards. Sales of the album increased by 66% and it jumped from nineteen on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
back into the top five to land at number four. Its re-entry back into the top five coincided with its first year anniversary on sale and when the album entered the chart at number one. The fact that the album was still in the top five a year after release is considered by many to be a fantastic commercial performance by the album.
In Spain, the album debuted at number two, a very high position for a debuting singer. It has sold 40,000 copies so far. In France, Rockferry entered the charts at number four selling 21,862 copies. The next week, it reached number two selling 22,259 copies. Rockferry stayed at number two selling 18,187 copies the third week. So far the album sold 420,000 copies in France.
In New Zealand, the album debuted at number two in the week starting 14 April 2008, and the following week knocked Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
's multi-platinum album Back to Black
Back to Black
Back to Black is the second studio album by English recording artist Amy Winehouse, released on 27 October 2006 by Island Records. It is the last album released in her lifetime. The album incorporates 1960s soul music styles and modern R&B production, with subjective lyrics that concern...
off to claim the top spot. Rockferry was certified Gold after three weeks on the chart, selling in the excess of 7,500+ copies. The album was then certified Platinum after eight weeks selling 15,000+ copies, 2x Platinum after twenty-two weeks with 30,000+ copies sold and 3x Platinum with over 45,000 copies sold.
In America, the album sold 16,000 copies in its first day, and sold 72,000 in its first week, debuting at number four on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
stated that Rockferry is the best American debut for one of its UK acts. Total U.S. sales stand at 848,000.
Track listing
Deluxe edition
Singles
- "RockferryRockferry (song)"Rockferry" is the debut single by Duffy, written by Duffy and Bernard Butler. It is the first track on the album Rockferry.-Song information:...
" was released as Rockferrys first single in the United Kingdom. Originally released as a limited 500 copy 7" vinyl, the song was made available for digital download on the UK iTunes StoreITunes StoreThe iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
on 19 November 2007. The song was critically acclaimed, with many noting the song was the highlight of the album. - "MercyMercy (song)"Mercy" is a soul song performed by Welsh blue-eyed soul singer Duffy, released as the second single from her debut album, Rockferry . Co-written by Duffy and Steve Booker and produced by Booker, it was released over 2008 worldwide to critical acclaim and unprecedented chart success...
" - "Warwick AvenueWarwick Avenue (song)"Warwick Avenue" is the third single from the album Rockferry by Duffy. The title refers to Warwick Avenue tube station in London. It was written by Jimmy Hogarth, Eg White, and Duffy and produced by Hogarth. It was released in May 2008, but had already charted by March and April due to download...
" - "Stepping StoneStepping Stone (Duffy song)"Stepping Stone" is the fourth single by Duffy from her debut album Rockferry. The single was officially released as both a digital download and CD single on September 1, 2008 in the United Kingdom. Although it followed the massive success of previous singles "Mercy" and "Warwick Avenue", it did...
" - "Rain on Your ParadeRain on Your Parade"Rain on Your Parade" is a song by Welsh recording artist Duffy from her debut studio album, Rockferry. Written by Duffy and Steve Booker, the song was released as the first single from the album's deluxe edition, and fifth overall, on 9 February 2009, by A&M Records...
"
Single B-sides
| Single | B-side |
|---|---|
| "Rockferry" | "Oh Boy" (Richard J. Parfitt) |
| "Mercy" | "Tomorrow" (Duffy, Eg White) |
| "Save It for Your Prayers" | |
| "Warwick Avenue" | "Put It in Perspective" (Duffy, Bernard Butler) |
| "Loving You" (Richard J. Parfitt, Owen Powell) |
|
| "Stepping Stone" | "Frame Me" (Duffy, Bernard Butler) |
| "Big Flame" (Richard J. Parfitt) |
|
| "Rain on Your Parade" | "Syrup & Honey" (Duffy, Bernard Butler) |
| "Smoke Without Fire" (Duffy, Bernard Butler) |
Sales
United KingdomIn February 2008 the Aimée Duffy EP reached the number 1 spot on Siart C2.
When the single "Mercy
Mercy (song)
"Mercy" is a soul song performed by Welsh blue-eyed soul singer Duffy, released as the second single from her debut album, Rockferry . Co-written by Duffy and Steve Booker and produced by Booker, it was released over 2008 worldwide to critical acclaim and unprecedented chart success...
" hit the top of the charts in February 2008 Duffy became the first Welsh female to top the UK Singles Chart in 25 years, since Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer, most notable for her hits in the 1970s and 1980s including "It's a Heartache", "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart".-Early life:...
with "Total Eclipse Of The Heart
Total Eclipse of the Heart
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" is a song written and produced by Jim Steinman and recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler for her fifth studio album, Faster Than the Speed of Night...
". It remained at number one for five weeks. The second single from the album, "Warwick Avenue" was at the number 3 position on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Subsequent single "Stepping Stone
Stepping Stone (Duffy song)
"Stepping Stone" is the fourth single by Duffy from her debut album Rockferry. The single was officially released as both a digital download and CD single on September 1, 2008 in the United Kingdom. Although it followed the massive success of previous singles "Mercy" and "Warwick Avenue", it did...
" peaked at number 21 and title track at number 45. The single "Rain on Your Parade" debuted at number twenty-two on 10 November and rose to a peak of number fifteen the following week.
With a total of 1.685m physical and digital sales, Rockferry was the best selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008. "Mercy" was the third best selling single for the year with over 500,000 copies sold.
As of 26 December 2008 in its 43rd week on the charts Rockferry had risen to the number 6 position from number 10 the previous week. The week following her 3 Brit Award victories in February 2009 the album rose from number 19 position to number 4.
United States
In the United States, the album peaked at the number 4 on the Billboard 200. The singles "Mercy" and "Warwick Avenue" peaked at number 27 and 96 respectively. By November 2008, 500,000 copies of Rockferry had been sold and had been certified Gold
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
by the RIAA. "Mercy" has also been certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of more than one million copies in the US.
In the first quarter of 2009 Rockferry sold 107,000 copies ranking it 13th among international artists and 73rd overall.
Worldwide
Rockferry topped the Pan-European Album Chart, and "Mercy" topped the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles chart on 21 April 2008. On 12 June the album topped the European albums charts with Mercy at number 2 on the European singles chart. By 21 August Rockferry had reached number one in 11 markets. On 30 October Rockferry had been in the top 100 on Billboards Euro Albums chart for 34 straight weeks and was residing at the number 10 position. Rockferry was the world's fourth bestselling album in 2008. By September 2010 the album had sold 6.5 million copies.
Personnel
- Aimée Duffy – Vocals, Backing vocals, Glockenspiel
- Bernard ButlerBernard ButlerBernard Joseph Butler is an English musician and record producer. He first emerged in the early Britpop era with Suede. He has been hailed by some critics as the greatest guitarist of his generation, as well as one of Britain's most original and influential guitarists...
– Producer, Guitars, Piano, Keyboards, Drums - Makoto Sakamoto – Drums
- David McAlmontDavid McAlmontDavid McAlmont is a British vocalist and songwriter.-Early years and Thieves:...
– Backing vocals - Jimmy Hogarth – Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Guitar, Percussion, Hammond organ, Bass
- Eg WhiteEg WhiteFrancis Anthony "Eg" White is a British musician, songwriter and producer. White is primarily known for his work with successful commercial pop acts such as Adele, Duffy, Will Young and James Morrison...
– Acoustic guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, Backing vocals
- Sam Dixon – Bass
- Steve Booker – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
- Martin Slatterly – Live drums, Drums, Piano, WurlitzerWurlitzerThe Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....
, Rhodes piano, Hammond organ - Jim Hunt – Saxophone
- Nichol Thomson – Trombone
- The Wrecking Crew – Strings
Charts
| Chart (2008–2009) | Provider | Peak position |
Certification | Sales | Year end position 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian ARIA ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... Albums Chart |
ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
6 | 2x Platinum | 140,000 | 38 |
| Austrian Albums Chart | Media Control Europe Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
2 | Platinum | 20,000 | |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
IFPI IFPI The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland... /Ultratop Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... |
4 | 2x Platinum | 60,000+ | 9 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Wallonia) |
2 | 12 | |||
| Canadian Albums Chart | CRIA Canadian Recording Industry Association Music Canada is a Toronto-based, non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 to represent the interests of companies that record, artists, manufacture, production, promotion and distribution of music in Canada... |
3 | Gold | 50,000+ | |
| Czech Albums Chart | IFPI | 2 | |||
| Danish Albums Chart | IFPI | 1 | 4× Platinum | 120,000+ | 1 |
| Dutch Albums Chart | MegaCharts MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... /NVPI NVPI The NVPI is the Dutch tradeassociation of the entertainment industry... |
2 | 3x Platinum | 230,000 | 7 |
| Finnish Albums Chart | IFPI | 2 | Platinum | 39,000+ | |
| French Albums Chart | SNEP Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... /IFOP Institut français d'opinion publique The Institut français d'opinion publique is an international marketing firm, whose motto is "Connection creates value". Its CEO is Laurence Parisot, who is also the current leader of the MEDEF French employers' trade union... |
2 | 2× Platinum | 440,000+ | 6 |
| European Albums Chart | IFPI | 1 | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000+ | |
| German Albums Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
IFPI/Media Control | 3 | 4× Gold | 400,000+ | |
| Greek Albums Chart IFPI The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland... |
IFPI | 2 | Platinum | 20,000+ | 27 |
| Greek International Albums Chart IFPI The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland... |
5 | ||||
| Hungarian Albums Chart Mahasz Mahasz is the Hungarian music industry association, founded in 1992. Mahasz hands out the Hungarian Music Awards and maintains the music charts for Hungary.... |
IFPI/Mahasz Mahasz Mahasz is the Hungarian music industry association, founded in 1992. Mahasz hands out the Hungarian Music Awards and maintains the music charts for Hungary.... |
18 | 85 | ||
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
IRMA Irish Recorded Music Association Irish Recorded Music Association is the Irish record industry association. IRMA is a non-profit association set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.-Goals and activities:... |
1 | 3× Platinum | 45,000+ | 12 |
| Italian Album Chart | FIMI | 6 | Gold | 40,000+ | |
| New Zealand Albums Chart | RIANZ | 1 | 3× Platinum | 45,000+ | 4 |
| Norwegian Albums Chart | IFPI | 2 | |||
| Polish Albums Chart | ZPAV | 5 | Platinum | 70,000+ | |
| Portuguese Albums Chart | Artistas Espectaculos | 1 | Gold | 10,000+ | |
| Russian Albums Chart | - | - | Platinum | 20,000+ | |
| Spanish Albums Chart | Promusicae | 2 | Platinum | 80,000+ | |
| Swedish Albums Chart | GLF Swedish Recording Industry Association Grammofonleverantörernas förening , or the Swedish Recording Industry Association in English, is an organization representing the music recording industry of Sweden... |
1 | 2× Platinum | 80,000+ | 1 |
| Swiss Albums Chart IFPI The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland... |
Media Control Europe | 1 | 3× Platinum | 90,000+ | 5 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
OCC/BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
1 | 5× Platinum | 2,074,000 | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Billboard/RIAA | 4 | Gold | 848,000 | 69 |
| Worldwide | 6,521,000+ | 4 | |||
Notes
- A ^ All the available sales and shipment figures counted up. This is not the official figure since the sales are based on certificates or published articles. It can be estimated that the official sales per country are higher.
Chart procession and succession
Release history
Standard edition| Region | Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 3 March 2008 | A&M Records A&M Records A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:... , Polydor |
| Europe | 11 April 2008 | Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
| Australia | 12 April 2008 | |
| Israel | 10 April 2008 | |
| Mexico | 6 May 2008 | |
| Brazil | 8 May 2008 | |
| United States | 13 May 2008 | Mercury Records Mercury Records Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal... |
| Japan | 24 September 2008 | Universal Music |
| Turkey | 24 January 2010 |
Deluxe edition
| Region | Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 21 November 2008 | Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
| Australia | 22 November 2008 | |
| United Kingdom | 24 November 2008 | A&M Records A&M Records A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:... , Polydor |
| Canada | 2 December 2008 | Universal Music |
| Brazil | 20 March 2009 | |
| Mexico | February 2009 | |
| Turkey | 24 January 2010 |