Slave to the Music (James Morrison song)

"Slave to the Music"
Single by James Morrison
from the album The Awakening
B-side	"The Person I Should Have Been"
Released	5 August 2011[1]
Format	Digital download, CD single
Recorded	2011
Genre	Soul
Length	3:23
Label	Island Records
Writer(s)	James Morrison, Toby Gad
Producer(s)	Toby Gad
James Morrison singles chronology
"Up" (2011) "Slave to the Music" (2011)

"Slave to the Music" is a song by British singer-songwriter James Morrison, released as the third single from his third studio album, The Awakening. The single was due for release on February 20, 2012 in the United Kingdom, however, the song received an advanced release on August 5, 2011 in the Netherlands.^[1] The music video was uploaded to Morrison's official YouTube account on August 19, 2011, and included on the bonus DVD contained within the Tesco deluxe edition of The Awakening.^[2]

Background

In an interview for Digital Spy, James described the track:

"Slave to the Music' is one where when I finished writing it, I thought it was pretty cool. It's the first song that I've written where I can imagine it getting played in a club. Normally I would never imagine any of my songs getting played in a club! So that was a first for me."^[3]

Critical reception

Allmusic's Jon O'Brien perceived that "only on the funky R&B beats and Michael Jackson-esque chorus of "Slave to the Music," where Morrison begins to show some of the invention that was allegedly so heavily restricted on his previous effort."^[4] Pip Elwood wrote for "Entertainment Focus" that the song is a "standout track, where Morrison explores deeper rhythms."^[5]

Chart performance

The song debuted at the Dutch Top 40 chart, at number fifty-four. In the second week, it climbed to number twenty-one. In the third week, it climbed again to number nineteen. In the fourth week, it reached number fifteen, where it stayed for another week. In the sixth week, it peaked at number nine. Later, it fell to number seventeen and in the last week, it fell to number twenty-two.^[6]

Track listing

Digital download[7]
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Slave to the Music"	3:23
2.	"The Person I Should Have Been"	4:03
3.	"Slave to the Music" (Music Video)

CD single[8]
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Slave to the Music"	3:23
2.	"The Person I Should Have Been"	4:03

Charts

Chart (2011)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[9]	7
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[10]	2
France (SNEP)[11]	90
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12]	9
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[13]	10

Release history

Country	Release date	Format	Label
Netherlands	5 August 2011[1]	Digital download	Island Records
Germany	17 February 2012	CD single
United Kingdom	20 February 2012[14]	Digital download

References

1. "Slave to the Music - Single van James Morrison - Download op iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
2. "James Morrison - Slave to the Music". YouTube. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
3. Corner, Lewis (23 September 2011). "James Morrison interview: 'I'm s**ting myself over new album'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
4. O'Brien, Jon (16 September 2011). "James Morrison - The Awakening". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
5. Elwood, Pip (26 September 2011). "James Morrison - The Awakening - Entertainment Focus". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
6. "dutchcharts.nl - James Morrison - Slave To the Music". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
7. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/james-morrison/id2473332
8. http://www.amazon.de/Slave-To-Music-James-Morrison/dp/B005OT4OWW/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1328873140&sr=1-4
9. "Ultratop.be – James Morrison – Slave To The Music" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
10. "Ultratop.be – James Morrison – Slave To The Music" (in French). Ultratip.
11. "Lescharts.com – James Morrison – Slave To The Music" (in French). Les classement single.
12. "Dutchcharts.nl – James Morrison – Slave To The Music" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
13. "Nederlandse Top 40 – James Morrison search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
14. http://www.radio1.gr/music/forthcoming_uk_singles.htm