Carry On (Martha Wash song)


"Carry On" is a song by American singer Martha Wash from Wash's debut solo self-titled studio album Martha Wash. It was released as the album's lead single on October 30, 1992 through RCA Records. The song was written by Eric Beall who also composed the instrumentation in collaboration with Steve Skinner.

Background

The single was the first release from her self-titled debut album Martha Wash, which was part of her settlement deal with RCA Records after she sued the label over being uncredited for her work on previous songs by Black Box. The track was her first number-one single as a solo artist on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, reaching the top spot on December 5, 1992.

Critical reception

Billboard wrote about the song: "After building a near-legendary reputation as a better on hits by Black Box, C &C Music Factory, and the Weather Girls, it's difficult to believe that this is Wash's first solo recording. Regardless, she proves why she will always be the prototype for future dance music divas on this driven pop/dance romp. It almost doesn't even matter what she's singing; any chance to wonder at the power of her voice is worth taking. Fortunately, this song works just fine, and is roping in club DJs at a rapid rate. Watch radio to quickly follow suit."

Usage in media

In 2010, the song was used in the fifth episode of season two for American reality competition television series RuPaul's Drag Race, in which Wash also served as a guest judge. Contestants Sahara Davenport and Morgan McMichaels, both of whom landed in the fifth week's bottom-two elimination, had lip synced to the lyrics of the songs. During the episode, Drag performer and head judge RuPaul emotionally recounted "That song is very special to me because when my mother passed away, that was the song that I would play all the time. I played Martha Wash's 'Carry On' non-stop. That's what got me through it."

Track listings

; CD Maxi
  1. Carry On 3:30
  2. Carry On 4:17
  3. Carry On 4:10
  4. Carry On 6:46
  5. Carry On 5:14
  6. Carry On 7:08
  7. Carry On 5:26
  8. Carry On 5:59
  9. Carry On 7:26

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts