Anything for You (Snow song)
Encyclopedia
Anything For You is a 1995 single from Canadian reggae
recording artist Snow’s
second album, Murder Love
. While becoming a club favorite and a grassroots hit on The Box in the United States
and Canada
, the single only peaked at 74 on the Canadian Singles Chart
. The All-Star Remix, however, reached number one in Jamaica
and became the country's top selling single of 1995.
, Anything for You featured a young Nadine Sutherland
, who previously won Jamaica’s “Tastee Talent Contest.”
The All-Star remix, recorded at Penthouse records in Jamaica, also featured Beenie Man
, Buju Banton
, Kulture Knox, and Terror Fabulous
. In an interview with Jamaican Gleaner News, Sutherland remembered, “the energy was off the hook. Remember, everyone was creating on the spot. It’s a true indication of the talents of these young men at the time. Everyone was busy writing; I don’t remember any competition.” Despite debates over “whose part was the best,” Sutherland claimed Buju Banton’s was her favorite and noted “that’s the part I deejay when I perform it on stage. All the parts are special though. I love them all.”
, the original video featured Snow and Nadine Sutherland performing in Jamaica. The All-star remix featured Snow performing with the other members of the cast at Penthouse Studios. Although not promoted by MTV
and Muchmusic
, the video regularly topped The Box's most requested videos.
, Supercat, Cutty Ranks
and Admiral Bailey
.” Furthermore, journalist Mel Cooke asserted,“There is only one recording on which a large proportion of the dancehall generation which not only changed the beat but was also at the forefront of the visual era of Jamaican music. Performers were not only being heard on radio and sound systems but also seen in formal music videoson television (CVM by then joining the free-to-air fray) and the numerous recordings of dances and live recordings that were increasingly popular.That song is “Anything For You,” with Canadian deejay Snow, Nadine Sutherland (the two having a version by themselves), Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Terror Fabulous, Louie Culture and Kulcha Knox performing on the remix. And while the audio recording was, and still is, very popular, it was the video which put “Anything For you” over the top.”
While released as a single in Jamaica in 1995, the "Anything For You" All-Star Remix appears as a track on Snow's 1997 album, Justuss
.
7" single
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
recording artist Snow’s
Snow (musician)
Darrin O'Brien , better known by his stage name Snow, is a Juno Award-winning Canadian rap and reggae musician. He is best known for his 1992 single "Informer", which reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.-Life and work:...
second album, Murder Love
Murder Love
Murder Love is Canadian reggae musician Snow’s second album. While his preceding album featured a wide array of musical genres fusing hip-hop, pop, and reggae, Murder Love was recorded in Jamaica and primarily featured dancehall tracks...
. While becoming a club favorite and a grassroots hit on The Box in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the single only peaked at 74 on the Canadian Singles Chart
Canadian Singles Chart
The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays....
. The All-Star Remix, however, reached number one in Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
and became the country's top selling single of 1995.
Production
Sampling Everybody Plays the FoolEverybody Plays the Fool
"Everybody Plays the Fool" is the title of a popular song written by J.R. Bailey, Rudy Clark and Ken Williams. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best R&B Song at the 1973 ceremony....
, Anything for You featured a young Nadine Sutherland
Nadine Sutherland
Nadine Sutherland is a Jamaican reggae singer whose early career was nurtured by Bob Marley. She went on to become a successful dancehall artist in the 1990s.-Biography:...
, who previously won Jamaica’s “Tastee Talent Contest.”
The All-Star remix, recorded at Penthouse records in Jamaica, also featured Beenie Man
Beenie Man
Anthony Moses Davis , better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist. He is the self-proclaimed "King of the Dancehall".-Biography:...
, Buju Banton
Buju Banton
Buju Banton is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae musician.Banton has recorded pop and dance songs, as well as songs dealing with sociopolitical topics....
, Kulture Knox, and Terror Fabulous
Terror Fabulous
Cecil Campbell , better known as Terror Fabulous is a Jamaican dancehall deejay, who had success in the 1990s.-Biography:Campbell was introduced to producer Dave Kelly after completing a course in electrical engineering. His recording career began in the early 1990s, with singles such as "Gwaney...
. In an interview with Jamaican Gleaner News, Sutherland remembered, “the energy was off the hook. Remember, everyone was creating on the spot. It’s a true indication of the talents of these young men at the time. Everyone was busy writing; I don’t remember any competition.” Despite debates over “whose part was the best,” Sutherland claimed Buju Banton’s was her favorite and noted “that’s the part I deejay when I perform it on stage. All the parts are special though. I love them all.”
Music videos
Directed by Hype WilliamsHype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
, the original video featured Snow and Nadine Sutherland performing in Jamaica. The All-star remix featured Snow performing with the other members of the cast at Penthouse Studios. Although not promoted by MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and Muchmusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
, the video regularly topped The Box's most requested videos.
Legacy
Jamaica Gleaner News described “Anything For You” as the most important dancehall song of the 1990s, which created “a generation that overlapped with, and then replaced, the stars of the late 1980s, among those relative 'oldsters' Shabba RanksShabba Ranks
Shabba Ranks is a Jamaican dancehall musician.He was one of the most popular dancehall artists of his generation. He was also one of the first Jamaican deejays to gain worldwide acceptance, and recognition for his 'slack' lyrical expressions and content, when "ridin' di riddim"...
, Supercat, Cutty Ranks
Cutty Ranks
Philip Thomas, , better known as Cutty Ranks is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist.-Biography:Thomas was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1965. He began his career as a reggae artist at the age of 14 with the Gemini sound system, before moving on to work with Tony Rebel's Rebel Tone and Papa Roots,...
and Admiral Bailey
Admiral Bailey
Admiral Bailey is a Jamaican dancehall deejay who enjoyed his greatest success between the mid-1980s and the early 1990s. He has been described as "the hottest dancehall star of the late 1980s".-Career:...
.” Furthermore, journalist Mel Cooke asserted,“There is only one recording on which a large proportion of the dancehall generation which not only changed the beat but was also at the forefront of the visual era of Jamaican music. Performers were not only being heard on radio and sound systems but also seen in formal music videoson television (CVM by then joining the free-to-air fray) and the numerous recordings of dances and live recordings that were increasingly popular.That song is “Anything For You,” with Canadian deejay Snow, Nadine Sutherland (the two having a version by themselves), Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Terror Fabulous, Louie Culture and Kulcha Knox performing on the remix. And while the audio recording was, and still is, very popular, it was the video which put “Anything For you” over the top.”
Trivia
Despite being one of the most important dancehall tracks of the 1990s, the “All-Star cast” has never performed “Anything For You” live.While released as a single in Jamaica in 1995, the "Anything For You" All-Star Remix appears as a track on Snow's 1997 album, Justuss
Justuss
Justuss is Canadian reggae musician Snow's third album. Like his second album Murder Love, Justuss is primarily a reggae album performed in Jamaican Patois and featured fellow reggae stars such as Yami Bolo, Nadine Sutherland, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, and Terror Fabulous. Because of his criminal...
.
Charts and sales
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| JAM Jamaica Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic... |
1 |
| CAN Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
74 |
Track listings
CD maxi- "Anything For You" (T.K edit) — 4:21
- "Anything For You" (T.K Remix) — 4:14
- "Anything For You" (Dancehall Remix) — 3:54
- "Anything For You" (Hip Hop Remix) — 3:31
7" single
- "Anything For You" (All-Star Remix) — 4:29
- "Anything For You" - 3:45
Personnel
- Text : Darrin O'Brien, Herby "Luv Bug" Azor
- Producer : Herby "Luv Bug" Azor
- Executive producer : David Eng, EZ Steve Salem
- Photography : David La Chapelle