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Manchild (song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Manchild
| cover = Neneh_Cherry-Manchild.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Neneh Cherry
| album = Raw Like Sushi
| released =
| recorded =
| studio = Abbey Road, Blackwing, Eastcote, Hot Nights, Sam Therapy (London, England)
| genre =
| length =
| label = Virgin
| writer =
| producer =
| prev_title = Buffalo Stance
| prev_year = 1988
| next_title = Kisses on the Wind
| next_year = 1989
| misc =
}}
"'Manchild'" is a song by Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry, released as the second single from her debut album, 'Raw Like Sushi'. The single was a top-10 success in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and several European countries. "Manchild" did not chart in the United States or Canada. It was the first song Neneh sat down and wrote. She composed the song on a Casio keyboard (the same one she uses to this day), using an auto-chord setting and ended up with 7 chords in the verse alone. Neneh's stepfather Don Cherry commented on this praisingly, comparing it to a jazz song structure. Nellee Hooper did the beat for the song and wrote the rap with Robert Del Naja. Neneh then gave it to Cameron McVey, who helped to shape the song with the parts and "made it make sense".
The song's lyrics are "directed at a full-grown man who has a little more growing up to do". Neneh expressed the significance of the song for herself, stating it's where she found her sound: "I think "Manchild" was the song where I kind of found my style. I think that song, the style of the song, the spirit and the feeling of the song has reappeared; it always reappears along the way in other songs that I've written; therefore it became the most significant song that I ever wrote, in a way".
Reception
Angus Taylor for BBC noted in his review of 'Raw Like Sushi', that "the offbeat, ambient ballad Manchild showcases Cherry's maternal side". The 'Los Angeles Times' wrote about the song and its music video, "Nothing less than one of the most visually arresting video clips ever produced, illustrating one of 1989's truly great singles, an accusatory yet compassionate balladic broadside."[http://articles.latimes.com/1989-11-19/entertainment/ca-137_1_music-video-clips Neneh Cherry's 'Manchild' Tops Among Music Videos], 'Los Angeles Times', 19 November 1989 'Music & Media' described "Manchild" as "slower and more melodic" than "Buffalo Stance". They added it as "a strong and highly commercial follow-up with a warm production." The music video was nominated for "Best Video" at the 1990 Brit Awards. Lesley Chow from The Quietus wrote,
Music video
The video clip was produced by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. It shows Cherry on a virtual beach, while several other people can be seen in the background. Cherry's daughters, Naima and Tyson, and her step-son, Marlon Roudette, also appear in the video. The camera "slowly rocks back and forth" in line with the beat of the song.
Track listing and formats
*'7-inch vinyl and CD single'
#"Manchild" 3:52
#"Manchild (The Original Mix)" 4:44
*'US 7-inch vinyl and CD single'
#"Manchild (Edit)" 3:51
#"Phoney Ladies" 3:52
*'12-inch vinyl'
#"Manchild (The Old School Mix)" 5:32
#"Manchild (The Original Mix) 4:44
#"Buffalo Stance (The There's Nothing Wrong Mix - Sukka Mix II)" 5:36
*'12-inch remix vinyl'
#"Manchild (Massive Attack Remix)" 5:24
#"Manchild (Massive Attack Bonus Beats)" 0:55
#"Manchild (Smith & Mighty Remix)" 4:39
#"Manchild (Smith & Mighty More Bass - Less Vocal Style)" 4:39
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Sia version
In April 2022, Australian singer Sia released a version as the lead single from Cherry's album 'The Versions', released in June of the same year.
References
Category:1989 singles
Category:2022 singles
Category:1989 songs
Category:Neneh Cherry songs
Category:Sia (musician) songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Cameron McVey
Category:Songs written by Cameron McVey
Category:Songs written by Neneh Cherry
Category:Songs written by Robert Del Naja
Category:Virgin Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino
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