Delicate (Terence Trent D'Arby song)

"Delicate" is a song by American singer-songwriter Terence Trent D'Arby featuring English singer Des'ree, released on June 7, 1993 by Columbia as the third single from his third studio album, Symphony or Damn (1993). It was written, arranged and produced by D'Arby, and peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, the song reached number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video was directed by Andy Morahan.

"Delicate"
Single by Terence Trent D'Arby featuring Des'ree
from the album Symphony or Damn
B-side	"She's My Baby"
Released	June 7, 1993 (1993-06-07)^[1]
Genre	Pop
Length	4:11
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Terence Trent D'Arby
Producer(s)	Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby singles chronology
"Do You Love Me Like You Say?" (1993) "Delicate" (1993) "She Kissed Me" (1993)
Music video
"Delicate" on YouTube

Critical reception

In an 2018 retrospective review, Patrick Corcoran from Albumism stated that "Delicate" "demonstrated that the delightful soul voice was still ready and primed for action in a song that lived up to its dainty title".^[2] Upon the release of the single, Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "With sweet vocal assistance by Des'ree, D'Arby is poised for his first top 40 hit in years. A tinkly jazz-pop shuffle beat and richly expressive vocals are the basis for an expansive retro-soul tune. Pretty and soothing track should also be of note to adult-geared urban and AC radio formats."^[3] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said that this is "by far the best track on his new album and destined surely for Top 10 success next week".^[4] Andrew Smith from Melody Maker wrote, "'Sign Your Name' was a cute song and this one tries for the same lovelorn effect, without getting anywhere near it."^[5]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Dueting with last year's soul revelation Des'ree, YID hits radioland completely K.O.. Count to 10, and try to recover after this exquisite ballad."^[6] Alan Jones from Music Week gave it four out of five, writing, "An appropriate title for a sweet and soulful duet, this shuffling and summery song is destined for the Top 10."^[7] John Mulvey from NME said D'Arby "shakes off the dodgy Kravitzisms of his last single and rewrites 'Sign Your Name' to reclaim the upmarket smooch market." He added, "...but a hit, I suppose."^[8] A reviewer from People Magazine noted its "Middle Eastern lounge-jazz filigree", adding that "his sexy, edgy tenor is a voice that grabs you in all its guises."^[9] Siân Pattenden from Smash Hits also gave it four out of five. She felt that D'Arby "has come up with a truly corking pop single. "Delicate" is a soft, ambling tune, as the tender sheen on the pedal of a pansy. It is very smooth and a bit girlie, making sensible people want to snog you."^[10] Charles Aaron from Spin viewed it as a "exquisitely gooey single" and "a time-lapse synth-photo of a flower blooming".^[11]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by British commercial, film and music video director Andy Morahan.^[12] It was released on June 7, 1993,^[13] and features D'Arby and Des'ree performing the song in a completely white setting. The video was later made available on Terence Trent D'Arby's official YouTube channel, as Sananda Maitreya, in 2012, and had generated almost five million views as of February 2024.^[14]

Track listings

• 7"/Cassette

1. "Delicate" - 4:16
2. "She's My Baby" - 4:13
3. "Dance Little Sister" - 3:54

• CD single

1. "Delicate" – 4:16
2. "Dance Little Sister" – 3:54

Personnel

• Written, arranged and produced by Terence Trent D'Arby
• Mixed by Mark "Spike" Stent
• Recorded by Craig Porteils

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Delicate" Chart (1993) Peak position Australia (ARIA)^[15] 99 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[16] 44 France (SNEP)^[17] 22 Germany (Official German Charts)^[18] 56 Ireland (IRMA)^[19] 23 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[20] 10 Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[21] 45 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[22] 20 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[23] 34 UK Singles (OCC)^[24] 14 US Billboard Hot 100^[25] 74

Year-end charts 1993 year-end chart performance for "Delicate" Chart (1993) Position Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[26] 81

References

1. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. June 5, 1993. p. 19.
2. Corcoran, Patrick (May 9, 2018). "Terence Trent D'Arby's 'Symphony or Damn' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
3. Flick, Larry (July 31, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 75. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
4. Masterton, James (June 14, 1993). "Week Ending June 19th 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
5. Smith, Andrew (June 12, 1993). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 27. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
6. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. June 5, 1993. p. 12. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
7. Jones, Alan (June 12, 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 8. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
8. Mulvey, John (June 12, 1993). "Singles". NME. p. 19. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
9. "Picks and Pans Review: Symphony or Damn (exploring the Tension Inside the Sweetness)". People. May 31, 1993. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
10. Pattenden, Siân (June 9, 1993). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 50. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
11. Aaron, Charles (January 1994). "Singles". Spin. p. 80. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
12. "Terence Trent d'Arby - 'Delicate'". MVDBase.com (video). ASG. 1998–2017. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
13. "Promos In Production" (PDF). Music Week. June 12, 1993. p. 23. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
14. "Sananda Maitreya - Delicate (Official Video) ft. Des'ree". YouTube. March 3, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
15. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
16. "Terence Trent D'Arby feat. Des'ree – Delicate" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
17. "Terence Trent D'Arby feat. Des'ree – Delicate" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
18. "Terence Trent D'Arby feat. Des'ree – Delicate" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
19. Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie June 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved February 6, 2008)
20. "Tipparade-lijst van week 29, 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
21. "Terence Trent D'Arby feat. Des'ree – Delicate" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
22. "Terence Trent D'Arby feat. Des'ree – Delicate". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
23. "Terence Trent D'Arby feat. Des'ree – Delicate". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
24. "Delicate", UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
25. Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
26. "Árslistinn 1993". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 4, 1994. p. 17. Retrieved April 12, 2022.