Peak
98
Weeks
4
Score
111
Chart Year
1994
The accompanying black-and-white music video for "7 Seconds" was directed by French director, photographer, film producer and actor Stéphane Sednaoui.[17][18] It features people of different ethnicities walking by while the two are singing. When they sing the chorus, different kinds of people's faces appear. The video received heavy rotation on MTV Europe[19] and was A-listed on Germany's VIVA in August 1994
Neneh Cherry wrote this and recorded it as a duet with Senegalese artist Youssou N'Dour. Cherry is best known by many for her 1989 transatlantic Top 10 hit "Buffalo Stance." Neneh Cherry (from her website): "'7 Seconds' is about the first positive 7 seconds in the life of a child just born not knowing about the problems and violence in our world." This won the 1994 MTV Europe Music Award for Best Song for writers Youssou N'Dour, Neneh Cherry and Cherry's husband Cameron McVey. Three different languages were used in this song: English, French and Wolof, which is a language spoken in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania. This reached the Top 3 in most European countries and sold 3 million copies worldwide. In France it was top of the charts for 16 consecutive weeks, a record at the time. Neneh Cherry commented on its success to The Independent March 26, 2004: "That tune grew on its own, completely out of proportion. It was out there doing its own thing. But that is a dream when you write a song." Sengalese singer Youssou N'Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. He began singing traditional music at the age of twelve and joined the Star Band at the age of sixteen. He helped make mbalax, the national dance music of Senegal and The Gambia, popular in Africa.
Boul ma sene, boul ma guiss madi re nga fokni mane Khamouma li neka thi sama souf ak thi guinaw Beugouma kouma khol oaldine yaw li neka si yaw Mo ne si man, li ne si mane moye dilene diapale Roughneck and rudeness We should be using, on the ones who practice wicked charms For the sword and the stone Bad to the bone Battle is not over Even when it's won And when a child is born into this world It has no concept Of the tone the skin it's living in It's not a second 7 seconds away Just as long as I stay I'll be waiting It's not a second 7 seconds away Just as long as I stay I'll be waiting I'll be waiting I'll be waiting J'assume les raisons qui nous poussent de changer tout, J'aimerais qu'on oublie leur couleur pour qu'ils esperent Beaucoup de sentiments de race qui font qu'ils desesperent Je veux les portes grandements ouvertes, Des amis pour parler de leur peine, de leur joie Pour qu'ils leur filent des infos qui ne divisent pas Changer 7 seconds away Just as long as I stay I'll be waiting It's not a second 7 seconds away Just as long as I stay I'll be waiting I'll be waiting I'll be waiting And when a child is born into this world It has no concept Of the tone the skin it's living in And there's a million voices And there's a million voices To tell you what she should be thinking So you better sober up for just a second 7 seconds away Just as long as I stay I'll be waiting It's not a second 7 seconds away Just as long as I stay I'll be waiting It's not a second 7 seconds away Just as long as I stay I'll be waiting It's not a second 7 seconds away Just as long as I stay I'll be waiting It's not a second 7 seconds away Just as long as I stay I'll be waiting
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 8, 1994 | 98 | 28 |
| 2 | Oct 15, 1994 | 98 | 28 |
| 3 | Oct 22, 1994 | 100 | 26 |
| 4 | Oct 29, 1994 | 100 | 26 |