Paid My Dues


"Paid My Dues" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her second studio album, Freak of Nature. It was released on November 6, 2001 as the album's lead single. The song was written by Anastacia, Greg Lawson, Damon Sharpe and LaMenga Kafi, and produced by Ric Wake with additional production by Richie Jones. The song became a hit, reaching number one in Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Norway and Switzerland as well as the top ten in several other mainland European countries.

Composition and critical reception

"Paid My Dues" was written by Anastacia, LaMenga Kafi, Greg Lawson and Damon Sharpe, while production was handled by Ric Wake, with additional production by Richie Jones. According to James Salmon from Yahoo! Music, the song is a "typically robust 'go girl' anthem."
Jose F. Promis writing for Allmusic called it "the soulful, bombastic rocker". Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine wrote that "her tenacious attitude on songs like 'Paid My Dues' carve a unique niche for the singer." Aidin Vaziri wrote for Rolling Stone that the song is "grating" and an "obvious offender."

Music video

Directed by Liz Friedlander, the music video for "Paid My Dues" was shot in Los Angeles, California. In the beginning, Anastacia is speaking while being in a virtual mirror. Then you can see Anastacia in a room where she is packing her suitcases. Following this, you see her while she is trying to make her a way but there are many people she must across. Then she is in some kind of a disco, where she successfully tries again to find her way through people, this time to a stage.
When she finally arrives there, she goes through a mirror and is "teleported" to a stage, where she lip-synchs the song. In the end she pulls out the electricity cable.

Track listing

United Kingdom
  1. "Paid My Dues" – 3:20
  2. "Paid My Dues" – 5:35
  3. "I Dreamed You" – 5:08
Cassette
  1. "Paid My Dues" – 3:20
  2. "Paid My Dues" – 3:29
  3. "I Dreamed You" – 5:08
Europe
  1. "Paid My Dues" – 3:20
  2. "Paid My Dues" – 5:25
  3. "Paid My Dues" – 5:23
  4. "Funk Medley" – 7:30
Australia
  1. "Paid My Dues" – 3:20
  2. "Paid My Dues" – 5:25
  3. "Paid My Dues" – 5:23
  4. "Funk Medley" – 7:30
  5. "I Dreamed You" – 5:08

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Austria 14
Belgium 75
Europe 15
France 78
Germany 26
Netherlands 38
Netherlands 68
Sweden 36
Switzerland 11

Certifications

Covers

German Metal Band Jaded Heart covered the song on their 2005 album "Helluva Time".