"Your Body's Callin'" is a song by American singer and songwriter R. Kelly, released in March 1994 by Jive as the third single from his debut album, 12 Play (1993). The song, both written and produced by Kelly, peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 40 in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Kelly also released a remix as a B-side to the single featuring Aaliyah called the "Your Body's Calling His N Hers Mix". Millicent Shelton directed the song's music video.

"Your Body's Callin'"
US CD maxi-single
Single by R. Kelly
from the album 12 Play
ReleasedMarch 11, 1994 (1994-03-11)
Length4:37
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)Robert Kelly
Producer(s)R. Kelly
R. Kelly singles chronology
"Bump N' Grind"
(1994)
"Your Body's Callin'"
(1994)
"You Remind Me of Something"
(1995)

Critical reception

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Michael Bonner from Melody Maker commented, "I guess, deep down, I'm an old softie at heart — and, whenever I hear soul like this that's as smooth as a Galaxy chocolate bar, I can't help reaching for my Barry White chest wig. There's a gentle, inoffensive bass, husky backing vocals, sleek production, and R Kelly's voice: soft, insistent, persuasive. Cos he knows, you know. He knows your body's calling. Oh, yes he does."[1] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave the song four out of five and named it Pick of the Week in the category of Dance, writing, "Having narrowly missed out on a mainstream Top 40 placing with his last single, "Bump'n'Grind", R Kelly looks set to be more successful with this smooth and mellow soul ballad. Not only is it a stronger song, but it will be helped by the US singer's recent UK tour, which included a four-night stint at the Apollo Hammersmith."[2] James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update deemed it a "sexy tortuous 67bpm slow jam".[3]

Music video

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The accompanying music video for "Your Body's Callin'" was directed by American music video, television and film director Millicent Shelton.[4] The video, set to appear that it was filmed in the summer, was filmed in the winter.

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States April 1994
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
Jive [16]
United Kingdom May 2, 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[17]

Samplings and covers

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  • Hip hop producer DJ Premier sampled Kelly singing "It's unbelievable" for the Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Unbelievable" on his album Ready to Die released later in 1994.
  • The song has been interpolated the line by Ron Isley's longtime collaborator Kelly by the Isley Brothers on the song "Warm Summer Nights", with background vocals by Angela Winbush towards the end of the track from the album Eternal, released in 2001.
  • The song has also been sampled by Whodini on the song "Be My Lady" also featuring Kelly, from their album Six.
  • Norman Brown covered the song in 1996 in his album Better Days Ahead.

References

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  1. ^ Bonner, Michael (April 15, 1995). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  2. ^ Beevers, Andy (April 9, 1994). "Market Preview: Dance - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 15. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Hamilton, James (May 14, 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  4. ^ R. Kelly: The R. in R&B - The Video Collection (Video 2003) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb
  5. ^ "R. Kelly – Your Body's Callin'". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. May 14, 1994. p. 28. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  8. ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). April 2, 1994. p. 4. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "R Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  10. ^ "R Kelly Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  11. ^ "R Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  12. ^ "R Kelly Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  13. ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1994". Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  14. ^ "R&B Rap Hip-Hop Year-End Charts – 1994 – Soul System".
  15. ^ "American single certifications – R. Kelly – Your Body's Callin'". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  16. ^ Rossi, Terri (April 9, 1994). "Terri Rossi's Rhythm Section". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 15. p. 22. 'Your Body's Calling' will be released in late April from Kelly's album.
  17. ^ "Single Releases". Music Week. April 30, 1994. p. 21.