Therapy (Mary J. Blige song)

2014 single by Mary J. Blige

"Therapy"

Single by Mary J. Blige
from the album  The London Sessions
Released| September 23, 2014
Length| 3:26
Label|

* Capitol
* Matriarch

Songwriter(s)|

* Mary J. Blige
* Sam Smith
* Eg White

Producer(s)|

* White
* Stephen Fitzmaurice
* Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
* Jimmy Napes

Mary J. Blige singles chronology
| "Suitcase"
(2014)  | "Therapy"
(2014)  | "Right Now"
(2014)

|
|

Music video
"Therapy" on YouTube

"Therapy" is a song recorded by American singer Mary J. Blige from her twelfth studio album, The London Sessions (2014). It was written by Blige, British singer Sam Smith and Eg White. Production was handled by White, Stephen Fitzmaurice, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Jimmy Napes. "Therapy" is an uptempo pop song with strong influences from doo-wop and rhythm and blues. The song was released as album's lead single on September 23, 2014 and peaked at number 28 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.[1]

## Conception and release

[edit]

"Therapy" was written by Blige and English musicians Sam Smith and Eg White.[2] The pair was among a host of young British acts commissioned to work with Blige in London following the success of her version of "F for You", a remake of English electronic music duo Disclosure's fourth single from their debut studio album, Settle (2013), and her duet version of Smith's "Stay with Me".[3] Initially composed for Smith's debut album In the Lonely Hour (2014), "Therapy" was already reference-vocaled when the White and Smith played it for Blige.[4] Upon hearing it, Blige felt inspired: "It was like, 'OK. This is it. This is the first moment. This is the one that says I'm doing something different.'[4] Slight lyrical and tonal changes were made to make it fit for her.[4] On the process, Blige later elaborated: "At the end of the day, I pictured myself singing it. I went and sang the song. And it was perfect, 'cause I just felt like the message was universal. Because I think everybody needs a little bit. And it's not, you know, literally sitting in front of a doctor all the time. It could be whatever your therapy is. What works for you."[4]

## Composition

[edit]

Musically, "Therapy" is an uptempo pop song with strong influences from doo-wop and rhythm and blues.[5] Influences of gospel genres were also found in the song.[6] It consists of a spacious beat, handclaps, a Hammond organ and the multitracked humming of co-writer Sam Smith.[7] The instrumentation includes thumping drums, guitars, bass guitars, organs, and a piano.[2] Andy Kellman from Allmusic magazine felt the song was "seemingly inspired more by Anthony Hamilton's Southern gospel-soul",[8] while many other contemporary critics viewed the retro-soul sound of "Therapy" as a relative of and an answer to late English singer Amy Winehouse and her 2006 song "Rehab" on which she talked about her refusal to enter a rehabilitation clinic.[5][6]

## Music video

[edit]

Blige filmed the music video for "Therapy" with director Sarah McColgan in early-October. It remains unreleased yet.[9]

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The London Sessions.[2]

* Production: Stephen Fitzmaurice; Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Jimmy Napes, Eg White
* Vocal production: Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
* Background vocals: Sam Smith
* Drums, guitar, organ: Eg White
* Additional guitar: Ben Jones
* Additional drums: Sylvester Earl Harvin
* Additional bass: Jodi Milliner
* Additional piano: Kieran McIntosh
* Recording: Trehy Harris, Stephen Fitzmaurice
* Recording assistance: Alex Robinson, Darren Heelis
* Mixing: Tom Elmhirst, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
* Mixing assistance: Joe Viciano

## Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for "Therapy"  Chart (2015)  | Peak
position

|

US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[10] | 28

## Release history

[edit]

Release history and formats for "Therapy "  Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Label  | Ref

|
|
|
|

United States  | September 23, 2014  | Digital download | Capitol | [11]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Mary J. Blige". Billboard.
2. ^ a b c The London Sessions (Media notes). Mary J. Blige. Columbia Records. 2014.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
3. ^ Gibsone, Harriet (29 August 2014). "Mary J Blige: Mitch Winehouse 'gave me the chance to hug Amy through him'". the Guardian.
4. ^ a b c d "Mary J. Blige: 'I'm Not Worried, Trying To Keep It Real — I Am Real'". NPR Music. 2014-12-03. Retrieved 2015-03-20.
5. ^ a b "Slant review". Slant Magazine. 26 November 2014.
6. ^ a b Ratliffnov, Ben (2014-11-24). "A Wattage Powered by New Connections". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
7. ^ McCormick, Neil (2014-11-24). "Mary J Blige, The London Sessions, review: 'a transatlantic adventure'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
8. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Mary J. Blige - The London Sessions". Allmusic. Retrieved 2015-03-20.
9. ^ Labuda, Tommy (2014-10-24). "Mary J Blige "Therapy" (Sarah McColgan, dir.)". Videostatic.com. Retrieved 2014-11-03.
10. ^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-03-20.
11. ^ "Mary J. Blige – Therapy". Discogs. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 2015-03-20.

## External links

[edit]

* MaryJBlige.com — official website

* v
* t
* e

Mary J. Blige

* Awards and nominations
* Discography
* Videography
* Songs

Studio albums|

* What's the 411?
* My Life
* Share My World
* Mary
* No More Drama
* Love & Life
* The Breakthrough
* Growing Pains
* Stronger with Each Tear
* My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
* A Mary Christmas
* The London Sessions
* Strength of a Woman
* Good Morning Gorgeous
* Gratitude

Soundtrack albums|

* Think Like a Man Too

Live albums|

* The Tour

Remix albums|

* What's the 411? Remix
* Dance for Me

Compilation albums|

* Ballads
* Mary J. Blige & Friends
* Reflections (A Retrospective)

Concert tours|

* Share My World Tour
* The Breakthrough Experience Tour
* Heart of the City Tour
* Growing Pains European Tour
* Music Saved My Life Tour
* The Liberation Tour
* The London Sessions Tour
* King and Queen of Hearts World Tour
* Strength of a Woman Tour

Films|

* Mary J. Blige's My Life

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* Super Bowl XXXV halftime show
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Mary J. Blige singles

* Discography
* Songs

1990s singles|

* "You Remind Me"
* "Real Love"
* "Reminisce"
* "Sweet Thing"
* "Love No Limit"
* "You Don't Have to Worry"
* "My Love"
* "Be Happy"
* "Mary Jane (All Night Long)"
* " I'm Goin' Down"
* "You Bring Me Joy"
* "I Love You"
* "Love Is All We Need"
* "I Can Love You"
* "Everything"
* "Missing You"
* "Seven Days"
* "As"
* "All That I Can Say"
* "Deep Inside"

2000s singles|

* "Your Child"
* "Give Me You"
* "Family Affair"
* "No More Drama"
* "Dance for Me"
* "Rainy Dayz"
* "Love @ 1st Sight"
* "Ooh!"
* "Not Today"
* "Whenever I Say Your Name"
* "MJB da MVP"
* "Be Without You"
* "One"
* "Enough Cryin"
* "Take Me As I Am"
* "We Ride (I See the Future)"
* "Just Fine"
* "Work That"
* "Stay Down"
* "The One"
* "I Am"

2010s singles|

* "Each Tear"
* "We Got Hood Love"
* "Ain't Nobody"
* "25/8"
* "Don't Mind"
* "Mr. Wrong"
* "Why"
* "Love a Woman"
* "Someone to Love Me (Naked)"
* "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
* "This Christmas"
* "Suitcase"
* "Doubt"
* "Right Now"
* "Therapy"
* "Whole Damn Year"
* "Thick of It"
* "U + Me (Love Lesson)"
* "Love Yourself"
* "Set Me Free"
* "Only Love"
* "Thriving"
* "Know"

2020s singles|

* "Good Morning Gorgeous"
* "Amazing"
* "Still Believe in Love"
* "Breathing"
* "You Ain't the Only One"

Soundtracks|

* "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"
* "Not Gon' Cry"
* "Stronger"
* "The Living Proof"

Guest appearances|

* "911"
* "Ain't No Way"
* "America's Song"
* "Bridge over Troubled Water"
* "Can't Knock the Hustle"
* "Disrespectful"
* "F for You" (Remix)
* "Hands"
* "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By"
* "I'm a Hustla" (Remix)
* "IfULeave"
* "It's a Wrap" (Remix)
* "Come Close"
* "Just Stand Up!"
* "Lean on Me"
* "Magic Touch" (NYC Remix)
* "Remember Me"
* "Runaway Love"
* "Stay with Me" (Remix)
* "Touch It" (Remix)
* "Wake Up Call" (Mark Ronson Remix)
* "What Child Is This"
* "Where's the Love?"

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