"Seven Days" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written and produced by Malik Pendleton for her third studio album Share My World (1997). The song is supported with a guitar solo from American guitarist George Benson. Lyrically, "Seven Days" talks about a woman going through a dilemma in a relationship with a man who had been her best friend before a truth or dare? game led to them experiencing a relationship that has left Blige and the man in question at a crossroads of how to address each other.
| "Seven Days" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Mary J. Blige | ||||
| from the album Share My World | ||||
| Released | March 20, 1998 | |||
| Studio | Battery Studios (Chicago) | |||
| Length | 5:09 | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Malik Pendleton | |||
| Producer(s) | Malik Pendleton | |||
| Mary J. Blige singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Seven Days" on YouTube | ||||
The song was released as the album's fourth and final single by MCA Records on March 20, 1998. "Seven Days" peaked at number three on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and number 71 US Radio Songs, also reaching number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. Blige gave a memorable performance of "Seven Days" at the 25th American Music Awards, again with a guitar solo from Benson.
Critical reception
editLarry Flick from Billboard wrote that the song "casts the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul as a woman trying to reconcile a foray into forbidden love, a role she plays to the hilt." He added, "Her diva chops are as sharp as ever as she whips through the track's bluesy ballad sound with palpable grit and drama. Producer Malik Pendleton presides over a flawless remix during which Blige breaks it down for a spoken passage that would make Millie Jackson proud. There's also a version of the song featuring George Benson floating one of his trademark jazz guitar solos. Pick a version—and play it over and over and over again."[1]
Music video
editA music video was produced to promote the single and premiered in September 1997. It was directed by Steve Willis and features George Benson towards the end playing a guitar. Throughout the video, Blige sings in many places; many scenes where she is singing include in the car in which she is driving down the street, in the bed, in her bedroom, and in her condo. Her love interest is featured prominently throughout the video with her as well especially in the scenes where they are sitting on opposite sides of the bed or while watching television where two people are kissing.
Track listings
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Seven Days" (radio edit) | Malik Pendleton | Pendleton | 3:57 |
| 2. | "Seven Days" (remix) | Pendleton | Pendleton | 5:36 |
| 3. | "Round and Round" (Brooklyn Funk R&B Bump Mix featuring Big Pun) |
|
| 5:28 |
| 4. | "Round and Round" (Brooklyn Funk B-Boy Mix featuring Elementary & Half Time) |
| 6:15 |
Notes
- ^[a] denotes co-producer(s)
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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References
edit- ^ Flick, Larry (February 7, 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 76. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^ Discogs.Com - Mary J. Blige featuring George Benson - "Seven Days"
- ^ "Mary J. Blige ARIA Chart History complete to 2024". ARIA. Retrieved July 26, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 05 July 1998 - 11 July 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "Mary J Blige: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "The Urban Top 40 Of 1998" (PDF). Music Week. January 9, 1999. Retrieved August 6, 2023.