Bag Lady

"Bag Lady" is a song recorded by American singer Erykah Badu for her second studio album Mama's Gun (2000). Written by Badu and Isaac Hayes, the song is about a woman who is trying to begin a new relationship but has too much emotional baggage and can't get close to anyone.[1] The song's message is to "pack light" and have hope for the future. It was released as the lead single from Mama's Gun on August 8, 2000, by Motown Records.[2]

For a homeless person, see Homelessness.

"Bag Lady"
Single by Erykah Badu
from the album Mama's Gun
B-side"On & On"
ReleasedAugust 8, 2000 (2000-08-08)
Recorded1998
GenreNeo soul
Length
  • 5:48 (album version)
  • 4:04 (remix edit)
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Erykah Badu
  • Tone the Backbone
Erykah Badu singles chronology
"Southern Gul"
(1999)		 "Bag Lady"
(2000)		 "Didn't Cha Know?"
(2000)
Music video
"Bag Lady" on YouTube

A commercial success, "Bag Lady" peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Badu's first top-ten hit on the chart, and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for seven weeks.[3] Critically acclaimed, it earned Badu two nominations at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards (2001), for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.[4]

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Bag Lady" debuted at number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated August 19, 2000.[5] After weeks of ascending and descending within the chart, it reached its peak at number six on October 7, 2000, thus becoming Badu's first top-ten hit on the chart.[6] It spent a total of 20 weeks on the chart and finished at number 69 on the year-end Billboard Hot 100 for 2000.[7][8] It also became Badu's second Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one hit, spending six consecutive weeks atop the chart and 33 weeks on the chart in total.[7] Internationally, it charted only in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 93 on the Dutch Single Top 100.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Bag Lady" was directed by Badu and designed by visual artist and designer Ron Norsworthy. It uses the Cheeba Sac remix of the song, which samples Dr. Dre's "Xxplosive" from his album 2001 (1999), which was based on the song "Bumpy's Lament" from the soundtrack for the film Shaft (1971).[9] In a segment during the video, Erykah and her "bag ladies"–including singers Yahzarah and N'dambi, as well as Badu's mother and sister–dance to an excerpt of Johnny Hammond's "Gambler's Life" (1974).[lower-alpha 1] The video was shot on Mini DV digital video—an unusual choice for a mainstream music video production–which gave it an appearance similar to a home movie.

Track listings and formats

Charts

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Bag Lady"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States August 8, 2000
Motown
[22][23][24]
August 15, 2000 12-inch vinyl
[25]
Japan September 6, 2000 Maxi CD Universal Music Japan
[14]
United States September 12, 2000
Motown
[26]
France September 25, 2000 Maxi CD Barclay
[27]

See also

Notes
  1. Badu also interpolated "Gambler's Life" on "Booty", another song from Mama's Gun.[10]

References
  1. Copel, Shelby (May 8, 2020). "These Are Some of Erykah Badu's All-Time Best Songs". Oprah Magazine. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  2. "Erykah Badu continues on her funky way". CNN. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020.
  3. "Erykah Badu". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  4. "43rd Annual Grammy Nomination List". Variety. January 3, 2001. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  5. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. August 19, 2000. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  6. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. October 7, 2000. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  7. "Erykah Badu Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  8. "Billboard Top 100 – 2000". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  9. "Bumpy's Lament by Soul Mann & the Brothers on WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  10. "Erykah Badu's Booty sample of Johnny Hammond's Gambler's Life". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  11. Badu, Erykah (2000). Bag Lady (12-inch single). Motown Records. 012158274-1.
  12. Badu, Erykah (2000). Bag Lady (CD single). Motown Records. 012 158 326-2.
  13. Badu, Erykah (2000). Bag Lady (CD single). Universal Music Group. 158 274-2.
  14. "バッグ・レイディ" [Bag Lady] (in Japanese). Japan: Oricon. September 6, 2000. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  15. "Erykah Badu Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  16. "Erykah Badu – Bag Lady" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  17. "Erykah Badu Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  18. "Erykah Badu Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  19. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  20. "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  21. "2001 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-44. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  22. "CHR/Rhythmic: Going For Adds 8/8/00" (PDF). Radio & Records. August 4, 2000. p. 56. Retrieved October 28, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  23. "Urban AC: Going For Adds 8/8/00". Radio & Records. August 4, 2000. p. 72.
  24. "ADDvance Notice". Radio & Records. August 4, 2000. p. 63.
  25. "Bag Lady [12"] – Erykah Badu". Motown Records. August 15, 2000. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  26. "Bag Lady [CD5-Cassette] – Erykah Badu". Motown Records. September 12, 2000. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  27. "Bag lady – Erykah Badu – CD maxi single" (in French). France: Fnac. September 25, 2000. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
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