Kind & Generous

"Kind & Generous" is a song by American singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant, released as the first single from her second studio album, Ophelia (1998). It became a radio hit in North America, peaking at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and number 19 in Canada. The song was not eligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 since it was not released as a commercial single.

"Kind & Generous"
Single by Natalie Merchant
from the album Ophelia
B-side	"Frozen Charlotte" "Wonder"
Released	May 5, 1998 (1998-05-05)[1]
Studio	Talking Dwarf (Little Valley, New York)
Length	4:07
Label	Elektra
Songwriter(s)	Natalie Merchant
Producer(s)	Natalie Merchant
Natalie Merchant singles chronology
"Jealousy" (1996) "Kind & Generous" (1998) "Break Your Heart" (1998)

Music video

The music video made for this song features Natalie Merchant as part of a traveling circus and taking on many guises. The circus performers were actual performers from the local area and the little girl was the daughter of the proprietor-showperson.^{[citation needed]}

Track listing

European HDCD single and Australian CD single^[2]

1. "Kind & Generous" (LP version) – 4:05
2. "Frozen Charlotte" (LP version) – 5:25
3. "Wonder" (LP version) – 4:26

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the Ophelia liner notes.^[3]

Studios

• Recorded at Talking Dwarf Studios (Little Valley, New York)
• Mixed at Oceanway Recording Studios (Los Angeles)
• Mastered at Gateway Mastering Studios (Portland, Maine, US)

Personnel

• Natalie Merchant – writing, vocals
• Lokua Kanza – acoustic guitar
• Craig Ross – electric guitar
• Graham Maby – bass
• George Laks – Hammond, Wurlitzer
• Peter Yanowitz – drums
• Joakim Lartey – percussion
• Jim Scott – mixing
• Mike Scotella – mixing assistance
• Todd Vos – engineering
• Bob Ludwig – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1998) Peak position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[4] 19 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[5] 15 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[6] 21 US Radio Songs (Billboard)[7] 18 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[8] 1 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[9] 3 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[10] 32 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[11] 15

Year-end charts Chart (1998) Position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] 63 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[13] 50 US Hot 100 Airplay (Billboard)[14] 48 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[15] 11 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[16] 55 US Triple-A (Billboard)[17] 3

Use in media

The Orchestra of the Bronx performed an orchestral version of the song in a 2020 commercial for Montefiore Health System that paid tribute to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. "Be on the Lookout". Gavin Report. No. 2204. May 1, 1998. p. 33.
2. Kind & Generous (European HDCD & Australian CD single liner notes). Natalie Merchant. Elektra Records. 1998. E3831CD, 7559-63831-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
3. Ophelia (US HDCD album liner notes). Natalie Merchant. Elektra Records. 1998. 62196-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7894." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
5. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3618." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
6. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3635." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
7. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
8. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
9. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
10. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
11. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
12. "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63, no. 12. December 14, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
13. "RPM's Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of '98". RPM. Retrieved March 10, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
14. "The Year in Music 1998: Hot 100 Singles Airplay". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-46.
15. "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-96.
16. "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 45.
17. "Best of '98: Most Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 35.

• Ophelia at Allmusic