Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Paid My Dues

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Released
  
November 6, 2001

Genre
  
Pop R&B

Format
  
CD single, 12" single

Length
  
3:21

B-side
  
"I Dreamed You" "Funk Medley"

Recorded
  
2001; Cove City Sound Studios (Glen Cove, New York) Sony Music Studios (New York City, New York)

"Paid My Dues" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her second studio album, Freak of Nature. Released as the album's lead single, the song was written by Anastacia herself, Greg Lawson, Damon Sharpe, and LaMenga Kafi and produced by Ric Wake, with additional production by Richie Jones. The song became an overall hit, peaking in Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland, and reaching the top ten in several other mainland European countries.

Contents

Composition and critical reception

"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. According to James Salmon from Yahoo! Music, the song is a "typically robust 'go girl' anthem."

Jose F. Promis writing for Allmusic called it "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 an "obvious offender."

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 while being in a virtual mirror. Then you can see Anastacia in a room where she is packing her suitcases. Following this, you see her while she is trying to make her a way but there are many people she must across. Then she is in some kind of a disco, where she successfully tries again to find her way through people, this time to a stage.

When she finally arrives there, she goes through a mirror and is "teleported" to a stage, where she lip-synchs the song. In the end she pulls out the electricity cable.

Track listing

  • United Kingdom
    1. "Paid My Dues" – 3:20
    2. "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar Mix) – 5:35
    3. "I Dreamed You" – 5:08
  • Cassette
    1. "Paid My Dues" – 3:20
    2. "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar Radio Edit) – 3:29
    3. "I Dreamed You" – 5:08
  • Europe
    1. "Paid My Dues" – 3:20
    2. "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar Mix) – 5:25
    3. "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar Dub) – 5:23
    4. "Funk Medley" (Live From Amsterdam) – 7:30
  • Australia
    1. "Paid My Dues" – 3:20
    2. "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar Mix) – 5:25
    3. "Paid My Dues" (The S-Man's Darkstar Dub) – 5:23
    4. "Funk Medley" (Live From Amsterdam) – 7:30
    5. "I Dreamed You" – 5:08

    References

    Paid My Dues Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA