Pavement Cracks

Not to be confused with the study of pavement cracks.

"Pavement Cracks" is a 2003 singles released by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, released as a promotional-only single from her third solo studio album Bare (2003). Co–produced by Lennox and Stephen Lipson, it was her first solo single released in eight years following the release of "Something So Right" in 1995.

"Pavement Cracks"
Single by Annie Lennox
from the album Bare
Released	2003
Studio	The Aquarium (London)[1]
Genre	Pop rock
Length	5:10
Label	BMG J Records
Songwriter	Annie Lennox
Producers	Stephen Lipson Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox singles chronology
"Something So Right" (1995) "Pavement Cracks" (2003) "Into the West" (2003)

Background

Like the rest of the Bare album, "Pavement Cracks" was noted for its stripped back songwriting and production style.^[2] Additionally, it was credited by Niall McMurray in Into The Popvoid as being the "best example in pop of bleakness being uplifting".^[2] Prior to the song's release, much debate arose within BMG and J Records, Lennox's record companies, about how to market the song.^[2] They realised that the chart landscape had changed significantly since Lennox last achieved a top ten single in the United Kingdom, 1995's "No More I Love You's", and the decision was made to release the song only as a promotional single rather than a full release.^[2]

Release and performance

Lennox's record label decided to pursue their intention of releasing the song as a promotional only single, therefore, making it ineligible to chart on mainstream official singles charts. Despite concerns about the single's release and chart performance, it received heavy airplay on BBC Radio 2 by Ken Bruce. In the United States, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and number two on the Billboard Dance Singles Sales.^[3]

Music video

A music video was made for the single; it remains unreleased but can be found on YouTube.

Track listing

1. "Pavement Cracks" (Mac Quayle Extended Mix) - 6:30
2. "Pavement Cracks" (Goldtrix Club Mix) - 6:26
3. "Pavement Cracks" (The Scumfrog Club Mix) - 8:21
4. "Pavement Cracks" (Gabriel & Dresden Club Mix) - 9:56
5. "Pavement Cracks" (The Scumfrog Knob Dub) - 6:45

Charts

Chart	Position
US Billboard Dance Club Songs[3]	1
US Billboard Dance Singles Sales[3]	2
US Billboard Hot Singles Sales[3]	17

Personnel

• Mixed By - Heff Moraes
• Producer - Stephen Lipson
• Written-By - Annie Lennox

See also

• List of Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play number ones of 2003