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Des'ree

{{Short description|English pop singer (born 1968)}}

{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| image =

| caption =

| name = Des'ree

| birth_name = Desirée Annette Weekes

| alias =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|11|30|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Croydon, London, England

| genre = {{Flatlist|

}}

| occupation = Singer, songwriter

| years_active = 1991–present

| label = Epic Records, Sony Soho Square, 550, Stargazer Records

| associated_acts =

| website =

}}

Desirée Annette Weekes{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/423732-Supernatural/images|title=Images for Des'ree - Supernatural|website=Discogs}} (born 30 November 1968), known by her stage name Des'ree ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|ɛ|z|(|ə|)|r|eɪ}}),{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=48IVqwmQekc|title=R.E.M win International Group presented by Des'ree | BRIT Awards 1995|publisher=YouTube|date=28 November 2012|access-date=21 August 2016}} is an English pop and soul recording artist and songwriter, who rose to prominence during the 1990s. Known for her distinctive contralto voice and uplifting lyrics,{{cite web|url=https://albumism.com/features/desree-i-aint-movin-album-anniversary|title=Des'ree's 'I Ain't Movin'{{‘}} Turns 30|first=Matthew|last=Hocter|website=Albumism|date=6 May 2024|accessdate=7 August 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://plethoraofpop.com/my-contribution-to-the-pick-a-letter-song-challenge-k-l-e87ebeba4cdb|title=My Contribution to the 'Pick a Letter' Song Challenge: "K-L"|first=Aaliyah|last=Humphrey|quote=I love her rich contralto voice.|work=Plethora of Pop|publisher=Medium}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/the-deification-of-des-ree-1.180704|title=The deification of Des'ree|first=Matthew|last=Hocter|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=7 August 1998|accessdate=7 August 2024}} Des'ree's biggest hits include the singles "Feel So High", "You Gotta Be", and "Life", as well as the ballad "Kissing You", which featured on the soundtrack of the 1996 film Romeo + Juliet. She was named Best British Female at the 1999 Brit Awards. Her other accolades include an Ivor Novello Award, a World Music Award, and four BMI Awards.

Early life

Des'ree was born in Croydon, South East London,Nina Myskow, [https://www.thefreelibrary.com/star+challenge%3A+Hanging+on+the+telephone+with...+Des%27ree.-a098788894 "star challenge: Hanging on the telephone with... Des'ree."], Daily Mirror, 15 March 2003 on 30 November 1968.Briton Hadden, Henry Robinson Luce (1995), Time, Volume 145, Issues 18–26, 1995.Paul Sexton, [https://books.google.com/books?id=YQ4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=des%27ree+born+in+london&pg=PA14 "550 Music's Des'ree Gets 'Supernatural' On 3rd Set"], Billboard, 13 June 1998. Her mother is from British Guiana (now Guyana), and her father is from Barbados. She was introduced to reggae, calypso, and jazz music by her parents. The family lived in Barbados for three years before returning to the UK when Des'ree was a teenager. Prior to entering the music business, her parents had hoped she would study law at university.

Career

=1990s: Career beginnings and international success=

In 1991, at the age of 22 and with no connections in the music industry, Des'ree was signed to Sony 550, having been encouraged by her then-boyfriend to send a demo tape to the label.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interview%3A+Living+a+dream%3B+BRITISH+SOUL+DIVA+DES%27REE+COMES+BACK...-a099592385|title=Living a Dream; British Soul Diva Des'ree Comes Back Fighting|last=Mann|first=Sam|access-date=6 August 2024}} Her debut single, "Feel So High", was released in August 1991, just twelve weeks after her signing with Sony. The song did not initially reach the UK top 40, but hit number 13 when it was re-released in January the following year. Her debut album, Mind Adventures, was released in February 1992, peaking at number 26 in the UK. She toured the country with Simply Red in July that same year, featuring as their opening act.{{Cite web|url= https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/des-ree--2|title= Des'ree Concert History|website=ConcertArchives.org|access-date=6 August 2024}} In 1993, Des'ree collaborated with Terence Trent D'Arby on the song "Delicate", which hit the UK top 20. Next, she performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican City's inaugural concert of secular music, which aired on Italian television in December 1993; the event, Concerto di Natale, has been held with different artists every Christmas in the years since.

In 1994, Des'ree's single "You Gotta Be" entered the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 5. It became the most-played music video on VH1 that year, and remained on the Billboard Recurrent Airplay Chart for nineteen months. Released a total of three times in the UK, it finally reached the top 10 in 1999 after a Ford Focus advertising campaign renewed its popularity.{{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=8zl1a_ldhoQ|title=Ford - Crowd|date=18 March 2010 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=8 August 2024}} Her many live performances of the song include a 1995 episode of Saturday Night Live and the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.onesnladay.com/2019/10/03/february-11-1995-bob-newhart-desree-s20-e12/?amp|title=February 11, 1995 – Bob Newhart / Des'ree (S20 E12)|website=The 'One SNL a Day' Project|date=3 October 2019|access-date=6 August 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.musicology.blog/you-gotta-be-kidding-desrees-timeless-tune-still-inspires-generations/|title=You Gotta Be Kidding Me: The Timelessness of Des'ree's Empowering Anthem|work=musicology.blog|date=8 August 2020 |accessdate=8 August 2024}}

Des'ree's second album, I Ain't Movin', was released in May 1994, selling in excess of 2.5 million copies worldwide and earning positive reviews, with the Chicago Tribune commending its lyrical content and Des'ree's "beautiful, dusky voice".{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/11/10/desreei-aint-movin-sony-550-starstarstartwo-things/|title=Des'ree I Ain't Movin' (Sony 550)|website=Chicago Tribune|date=10 November 1994|access-date=7 August 2024}} The record's success led to a tour with Seal, which took place across North America between November 1994 and July 1995. Next, she was approached by Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann to write a song for the soundtrack of his 1996 romance, Romeo + Juliet. She appeared in a cameo role as "Diva" during one of the film's most iconic sequences,{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/romeo-and-juliet-fish-tank-scene_n_3140555/|title=Romeo and Juliet Fish Tank Scene Makes Us Want to Dress Like an Angel|website=HuffPost|date=23 April 2013|access-date=6 August 2024}} performing said track, "Kissing You", as Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes' characters meet for the first time.{{Cite web|url=

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8JoOpx6VwHk|title=Romeo + Juliet (1996) - Love at First Sight Scene|date=9 October 2015 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=6 August 2024}} "Kissing You" was roundly praised by critics,{{cite news|title=CD Reviews – William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet Music from the Motion Picture|first=J. D.|last=Considine|author-link=J. D. Considine|quote=The tremulous intensity of Des'ree's 'Kissing You' has more emotional impact than many films|work=The Baltimore Sun |page=7 |edition=Final |date=7 November 1996}}{{cite news|title='Romeo & Juliet' Soundtrack|first=Kate|last=Lipper|work=Richmond Times-Dispatch|quote= An excellent slow song that you can play nonstop.|date=13 December 1996|page=F9}} and went on to receive a Satellite Award nomination for Best Original Song.

In 1997, Des'ree provided vocals for the Steve Winwood track "Plenty Lovin'". The following year, her single "Life" became a hit in Europe, reaching number 1 in many countries, as well as in Japan. In 2007, a BBC Radio 6 listeners' poll declared the song as featuring the "worst lyric in pop", its offending lines being, "I don't want to see a ghost / it's the sight that I fear most / I'd rather have a piece of toast / watch the evening news".{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6626239.stm | title = Des'ree takes bad lyric top spot | work = BBC | date = 4 May 2007 | access-date = 29 February 2008}} The album from which the single was taken, Supernatural, was released in June 1998 to positive reviews,{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jazz-album-reviews-1166297.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jazz-album-reviews-1166297.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Jazz: Album Reviews |first=Angela |last=Lewis |work=The Independent |date=20 June 1998 |accessdate=6 August 2024}} with American music critic J. D. Considine calling it "exquisitely listenable".{{cite magazine |url=http://ew.com/article/1998/08/21/music-review-supernatural/ |title=Music Review: 'Supernatural' |first=J. D. |last=Considine |author-link=J. D. Considine |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=21 August 1998 |access-date=6 August 2024 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020182348/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,284551,00.html |url-status=live }} Supernatural was successful across Europe, hitting the top 5 in Italy and the Netherlands, and peaking at number 16 in the UK. It was less successful in the United States, reaching #185 on the Billboard 200.

On 16 February 1999, Des'ree was named Best British Female Solo Artist at the Brit Awards. Later that year, she performed The Beatles' song "Blackbird" at Concert for Linda, a charity event in tribute to Linda McCartney,{{cite web|url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-brit-award-winner-desree-performs-during-here-there-and-everywhere-106125262.html|title=Brit award winner Des'ree performs during "Here, There and Everywhere," a charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall, in memory of Sir Paul McCartneys' late wife Linda. The soul singer sang the Beatles classic "Blackbird" at the concert.|work=Alamy|accessdate=6 August 2024}} and collaborated with Ladysmith Black Mambazo on their cover of "Ain't No Sunshine", which peaked at number 42 in the UK. She subsequently put her music career on hold to focus on her private life.

=2000s–present: Hiatus, other ventures, and return to music=

Following the 2000 release of Endangered Species, a collection of B-sides and live tracks, Des'ree contributed vocals to the charity single "Wake Up the Morning", which was released in November 2001 to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Damilola Taylor.{{cite web|title=Stars release Damilola tribute single|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1676391.stm|work=BBC News|access-date=6 August 2024|date=26 November 2001}} Next, she performed a sung sonnet from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice on the compilation album When Love Speaks. Her fourth album, Dream Soldier, was released in March 2003, with lead single "It's Okay" reaching #69 in the UK. Dream Soldier was not a commercial or critical success, which led to her parting ways with Sony, instead exploring her interest in naturopathy and training as a nutritionist.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/artist/desree/485319|title=Des'ree|work=Apple Music|quote=She managed six Top 40 hits—including two Top 10 singles—between 1992 and 2003, when she took a break from music to focus on naturopathy.|access-date=8 August 2024}}

In 2008, Des'ree performed at the O2 Arena for Young Voices' "Big Sing" charity concert, where she helped break the world record for "most people simultaneously singing the same song" by leading 600,000 schoolchildren across the UK in singing her hit, "You Gotta Be".{{Cite web|url=https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/3931013.big-sing-and-desree-aim-for-a-new-world-record/|title=Pembrokeshire-led Big Sing aims to smash its own record|website=Western Telegraph|date=27 November 2008 }} In 2011, she sang a lullaby on the sleep therapy CD, Sleep Talk Lullaby.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfWM6fXc53A|title=Sleep Hypnotherapy - Sleep Talk Lullaby by Julie LangtonSmith and Des'ree|date=15 April 2011 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=14 October 2019}}

Des'ree's first album in sixteen years, A Love Story, was released by her own label, Stargazer Records, on 11 October 2019. She had begun work on the album in 2014, but took an extended break to care for her mother.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/whatever-happened-to-life-and-kissing-you-singer-desree/news-story/7fcb09f894fe567761b8cab6adac1a02?amp|title=Whatever happened to Life and Kissing You singer Des'ree?|last=Bond|first=Nick|website=News.com.au|date=10 September 2019|access-date=6 August 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://melanmag.com/2019/11/04/desree-new-album-a-love-story/|title=You Gotta Be singer Des'ree returns with new album after career break|website=Melan Magazine|date=4 November 2019|access-date=6 August 2024}} MusicOMH{{'}}s Nick Smith awarded it four stars out of five, noting the "subtle beauty and emotional power" of Des'ree's voice, and calling the album "a solid and engaging return".{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Nick|title=Des'ree – A Love Story|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/desree-a-love-story|work=musicOMH|access-date=12 October 2022|date=18 January 2022}}

Other work

"Silent Hero", written by Des'ree and Prince Sampson, featured in Spike Lee's 1995 film Clockers; "Feel So High" (Des'ree, Michael Graves) featured in the 1996 film Set It Off; "Crazy Maze" (Des'ree, Peter Lord Moreland, Vernon Jeffrey Smith) featured in the 1997 film Nothing to Lose; and "You Gotta Be" (Des'ree, Ashley Ingram) featured in both The Next Karate Kid (1994) and The Object of My Affection (1998).

Lawsuits

In 1997, Des'ree's hit "Feel So High" was interpolated into the Janet Jackson song "Got 'til It's Gone" (from Jackson's album The Velvet Rope), without due credit being given to Des'ree as a contributor.{{Cite web|url=

https://youtube.com/watch?v=TlkZ5-pHi_0|title=Janet Jackson / Des'ree Comparison|date=21 May 2008 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=6 August 2024}} Subsequent releases containing the track would list Des'ree as one of its writers,{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/96061-Janet-Featuring-Q-Tip-And-Joni-Mitchell-Got-Til-Its-Gone|title=Janet* Featuring Q-Tip and Joni Mitchell – Got 'til It's Gone|work=Discogs|date=1997 |quote=Subsequent releases containing the track would credit Des'ree as a co-writer.|access-date=7 August 2024}} following a successful lawsuit against Jackson.Ian Hyland, [https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Des%27ree+wins+pounds+2m+in+Janet+Jackson+song+copying+war.-a060654272 "Des'ree wins pounds 2m in Janet Jackson song copying war."], Sunday Mirror, 31 May 1998

In 2007, Des'ree filed a lawsuit against Beyoncé, claiming that the singer's cover of her song "Kissing You"—retitled "Still in Love (Kissing You)" and featured on the album B'Day—was released without permission.{{Cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2007/04/18/desree-sues-beyonce-over-song-284081/|title=Des'ree sues Beyonce over song|date=2007-04-18|work=Metro|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en-GB}} The case was later dismissed, but not before editions of the album featuring the song were pulled from sale.

Personal life

Des'ree is a vegetarian.{{Cite news|url=https://ivu.org/history/music-rock.html|title=3. Rock/pop music and vegetarianism|work=International Vegetarian Union|access-date=7 August 2024}} In 2002, she took courses in photography and ceramics at the Camberwell College of Arts.{{Cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2009/10/27/desree-242422/|title=Des'ree - 60 Seconds Extra!|work=Metro|first=Ben|last=Sloan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009120353/http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/interviews/1008-desree|archive-date=9 October 2012|url-status=live}}

Accolades

Billboard Music Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

style="text-align:center;"| 1995

| "You Gotta Be"

| Adult Contemporary Single of the Year

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1995/bbyearend.htm|title=Billboard: 1995 Year-End Chart-Toppers|website=Rock on the Net|access-date=11 August 2024}}

BMI London Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

style="text-align:center;"| 2002

| rowspan=3 | "You Gotta Be"

| 3 Million Award

| rowspan=3 {{won}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|url=https://www.bmi.com/press/entry/534680|title=BMI London Awards|website=BMI|date=24 October 2002|access-date=7 August 2024}}

style="text-align:center;"| 2007

| 4 Million Award

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2007_bmi_london_awards_song_list|title=2007 BMI London Awards: Song List|website=BMI|date=16 October 2007|access-date=8 August 2024}}

style="text-align:center;"| 2015

| 5 Million Award

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/graham_gouldman_and_top_songwriters_honored_at_2015_bmi_london_awards|title=Graham Gouldman and Top Songwriters Honored at 2015 BMI London Awards|website=BMI|date=19 October 2015|access-date=8 August 2024}}

BMI Pop Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

style="text-align:center;"| 1996

| "You Gotta Be"

| Song of the Year

| {{won}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rwkEAAAAMBAJ&q=a-ha+BMI+Awards+1993&pg=PA103|title = Billboard|date = June 1996}}

Brit Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

style="text-align:center;"| 1995

| rowspan=2 {{n/a}}

| rowspan=2 | British Female Solo Artist

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Kro0grO1E2J5ndVkfJvY0cUC_7u6z4E | title=BRIT Awards 1995 | publisher=YouTube }}

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|1999

| {{won}}

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| {{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Kro0grO1E3EoiZiwrnjXotkszXdBXKN | title=BRIT Awards 1999 | publisher=YouTube }}

"Life"

| British Single of the Year

| {{nom}}

Cash Box Year-End Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|1995

| {{n/a}}

| Top New Female Artist

| rowspan=2 {{nom}}

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-12-30.pdf#page=10|title=Cash Box - A Rear View of '95|website=World Radio History|access-date=7 August 2024}}

"You Gotta Be"

| Top Pop Single

Ivor Novello Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

style="text-align:center;"| 1995

| "You Gotta Be"

| Best Contemporary Song

| {{won}}

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;"| 1999

| "Life"

| International Hit of the Year

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" |

MTV Video Music Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|1995

| {{n/a}}

| Best New Artist

| rowspan=2 {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" |

"You Gotta Be"

| Best Female Video

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1995/mtvvmas.htm|title=1995 MTV Music Video Awards|website=Rock on the Net|access-date=10 August 2024}}

{{ill|RSH-Gold Awards|de|RSH-Gold}}

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

style="text-align:center;"| 1999

| "Life"

| Catchy Tune of 1998

| {{won}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|url=http://www.rsh-history.de/RSH-Gold-1999.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627093600/http://www.rsh-history.de/RSH-Gold-1999.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-06-27|title=RSH Gold 1999|date=27 June 2015|access-date=23 August 2021}}

Satellite Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

style="text-align:center;"| 1997

| "Kissing You"

| Best Original Song

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|url=https://imdb.com/name/nm0220783/awards/?ref_=nm_awd|title=Des'ree - Awards|work=IMDb|access-date=7 August 2024}}

World Music Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" style="width:4em;" | Year

! scope="col" style="width:29em;"| Work

! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category

! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result

! class=unsortable |Ref.

style="text-align:center;"| 1999

| {{n/a}}

| World's Best Selling British Artist

| {{won}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web|url=https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2007/devotional/desree|title=Des'ree (b.1968)|work=NPG.org.uk|access-date=8 August 2024}}

Discography

=Albums=

==Studio albums==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

!rowspan="2"| Album details

!colspan="6"| Peak chart positions

!rowspan="2"| Certifications

style="width:40px;"| UK
{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27158/desree/|title=Des'ree|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=18 November 2016}}

! style="width:40px;"| AUS

! style="width:40px;"| GER

! style="width:40px;"| NLD

! style="width:40px;"| NZ
{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Des%27ree|title=charts.nz > Des'ree in New Zealand Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=11 January 2015}}

! style="width:40px;"| US
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/desree/chart-history/tlp/|title=Billboard > Des'ree Chart History > Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=21 March 2020}}

1992

|align="left"|Mind Adventures

  • Released: 17 February 1992{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/agAwhAN.jpg|title=BPI > Certified Awards > Search results for 'Mind Adventures' (from bpi.co.uk)|publisher=BPI|via=Imgur.com|access-date=19 November 2016}}
  • Label: Sony
  • Formats: CD, cassette, MD, digital download

| 26

| 39

| 53

| 57

| —

| —

|

  • UK: Silver
  • CAN: Gold
1994

|align="left"|I Ain't Movin'

  • Released: 9 May 1994
  • Label: Sony
  • Formats: CD, MD, cassette, digital download

| 13

| 14

| 91

| 77

| 9

| 27

|

  • UK: Silver{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/TfIF7TT.jpg|title=BPI > Certified Awards > Search results for 'I Ain't Movin' (from bpi.co.uk)|publisher=BPI|via=Imgur.com|access-date=19 November 2016}}
  • AUS: Gold
  • NZ: Gold{{cite book |title=The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006 |first=Dean |last=Scapolo |publisher=Dean Scapolo and Maurienne House |location=Wellington |year=2007 |isbn=978-1877443-00-8}}
  • US: Platinum
1998

|align="left"|Supernatural

  • Released: 29 June 1998
  • Label: Sony
  • Formats: CD, MD, cassette, digital download

| 16

| 27

| 17

| 4

| 41

| 185

|

  • UK: Gold{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/t9plQPU.jpg|title=BPI > Certified Awards > Search results for 'Supernatural' (from bpi.co.uk)|publisher=BPI|via=Imgur.com|access-date=19 November 2016}}
  • FRA: Gold
  • JAP: Platinum
  • SPA: Platinum
2003

|align="left"|Dream Soldier

  • Released: 31 March 2003
  • Label: Sony
  • Formats: CD, cassette, digital download

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|

2019

|align="left"|A Love Story

  • Released: 11 October 2019
  • Label: Stargazer Records
  • Formats: Digital download

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|

colspan="9" style="text-align:center; font-size:8pt;"| "—" denotes releases that were not released in that country or did not chart.

==Compilation albums==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title

! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details

scope="row" | Mystic Mixes

|

  • Released: 4 August 1999
  • Label: Sony
  • Format: CD
scope="row" | Endangered Species

|

  • Released: 23 October 2000
  • Label: Sony
  • Formats: CD, digital download

=Singles=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles released, showing selected chart positions and certifications

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year

! scope="col" colspan="8"| Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;"| Certifications

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Album

scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| UK

! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| AUS
Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:

  • Top 50 peaks: {{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Des%27ree|title=australian-charts.com > Des'ree in Australian Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=29 December 2011}}
  • Top 100 peaks: {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=PDF|page=79}}
  • "I Ain't Movin'" (single): {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/q15TpS8.jpg|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 06 Nov 1994|publisher=Australian Record Industry Association Ltd.|via=Imgur.com|access-date=25 February 2016}} N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
  • "Why Should I Love You", "Little Child" and "What's Your Sign?": {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/pd4F2Ze.gif|title=Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 12 July 2016|publisher=Imgur.com|access-date=12 July 2016}}
  • "It's Okay": {{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue695.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 16 June 2003|date=7 July 2003|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd.|issue=695|access-date=17 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080222222434/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20030707-0000/Issue695.pdf|archive-date=23 February 2008}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| GER
{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche?artist_search=Des%27ree&do_search=do|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Suchen nach "Des'ree"|language=de|publisher=GfK Entertainment|access-date=21 March 2020}} N.B. Select the Album tab to display albums chart peaks.

! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| IRE
{{cite web|url=http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=artist&placement=Des'ree|title=The Irish Charts - All there is to know > Search results for 'Des'ree'|publisher=Fireball Media|access-date=21 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321044103/http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=artist&placement=Des%27ree|archive-date=21 March 2020}}

! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| ITA
{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_interprete/ad.htm|title=Hit Parade Italia > Indice per Interprete: D|language=it|publisher=HitParadeItalia|access-date=12 July 2016}}

! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| NLD
{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Des%27ree|title=dutchcharts.nl > Des'ree in Dutch Charts|language=nl|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=14 January 2016}}

! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| SPA
{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=hits+of+the+world|title=Billboard|date=16 January 1999|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}}

! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| US
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/desree/chart-history/hsi/|title=Billboard > Des'ree Chart History > Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=21 March 2020}}

scope="row"| "Feel So High"1

| 1991

| 13

| 28

| 15

| 20

| —

| 25

| —

| 67

|

| rowspan="3"| Mind Adventures

scope="row"| "Mind Adventures"

| rowspan="2"| 1992

| 43

| 89

| 94

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|

scope="row"| "Why Should I Love You"

| 44

| 102

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|

scope="row"| "You Gotta Be"

| rowspan="3"| 1994

| 14

| 9

| 79

| —

| 15

| 47

| —

| 5

|

  • UK: Gold{{Cite certification|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Des'ree|title=You Gotta Be|id=14399-2189-1|access-date=15 August 2022}}
  • NZ: Gold

| rowspan="3"| I Ain't Movin'

scope="row"| "I Ain't Movin'{{-"}}

| 44

| 59

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|

scope="row"| "Little Child"

| 69

| 210

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|

scope="row"| "I'm Kissing You"

| 1997

| 83

| 17

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|

  • UK: Silver{{Cite certification|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Des'ree|title=I'm Kissing You|id=14581-2189-1|access-date=15 August 2022}}

| Romeo + Juliet

scope="row"| "Life"

| rowspan="2"| 1998

| 8

| 8

| 8

| 3

| 1

| 1

| 3

| —

|

  • UK: Gold{{Cite certification|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Des'ree|title=Life|id=3839-2189-1|access-date=23 March 2024}}
  • AUS: Platinum{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=PDF|page=79}}

| rowspan="3"| Supernatural

scope="row"| "What's Your Sign?"

| 19

| 167

| 65

| —

| —

| 70

| 1

| —

|

scope="row"| "You Gotta Be" (remix)3

| 1999

| 10

| —

| 76

| —

| —

| 77

| 1

| —

|

scope="row"| "It's Okay"

| rowspan="2"| 2003

| 69

| 96

| —

| —

| 59

| —

| —

| —

|

| rowspan="2"| Dream Soldier

scope="row"| "Why?"{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= British Hit Singles & Albums | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | page= 152 | isbn= 1-904994-10-5}}

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|

colspan="12" style="font-size:8pt;"| "—" denotes releases that were not released in that country or did not chart.

==Notes==

  • 1 "Feel So High" originally peaked at number 51 on the UK singles chart in 1991. It was re-released in 1992 and peaked at number 13. In the US, the single featured on I Ain't Movin' and did not chart until 1995.
  • 3 "Fire" was included on the 1998 edition of Supernatural as track 11. "You Gotta Be" replaced it when a new edition of the album was released in 1999.

==As a featured artist==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
style="width:200px;" rowspan="2"| Song

! style="width:30px;" rowspan="2"| Year

!colspan="5"| Peak chart positions

! style="width:180px;" rowspan="2"| Album

style="width:3em; font-size:85%;"| UK
UK chart peaks as featured artist:

  • "Delicate": {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/24007/terence-trent-darby/|title=Official Charts > Terence Trent D'Arby|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=18 November 2016}}
  • "Ain't No Sunshine": {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29592/ladysmith-black-mambazo/|title=Official Charts > Ladysmith Black Mambazo|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=18 November 2016}}
  • "Wake Up the Morning": {{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_T.HTM|title=Chart Log UK 1994–2010 > DJ T – Tzant|publisher=zobbel.de|access-date=18 November 2016}}

!style="width:3em; font-size:85%;"| AUS

!style="width:3em; font-size:85%;"| GER

!style="width:3em; font-size:85%;"| IRE

!style="width:3em; font-size:85%;"| NLD

scope="row"| "Delicate" (Terence Trent D'Arby, featuring Des'ree)

| 1993

| 14

| 99

| 56

| 23

| 45

| style="text-align:left;"| Symphony or Damn

scope="row"| "Ain't No Sunshine" (Ladysmith Black Mambazo, featuring Des'ree)

| 1999

| 42

| —

| —

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left;"| In Harmony

scope="row"| "Wake Up the Morning" (Together As One)

| 2001

| 161

| —

| —

| —

| —

| style="text-align:left;"|

colspan="8" style="font-size:85%"| "—" denotes releases that were not released in that country or did not chart.

=Promotional singles=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Title

! scope="col"| Year

! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Album

scope="row"| "Sun of '79"

| rowspan="2"| 1992

| rowspan="2"| Mind Adventures

scope="row"| "Competitive World"
scope="row"| "Fire"
(with Babyface)

| rowspan="2"| 1998

| rowspan="3"| Supernatural

scope="row"| "God Only Knows"
scope="row"| "Best Days"

| 1999

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

  • [https://www.des-ree.com Official web site]
  • [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p22913|pure_url=yes}} Des'ree] at AllMusic
  • {{IMDb name|id=0220783|name=Des'ree}}

{{Des'ree}}

{{Brit British Female}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1968 births

Category:Living people

Category:English women singer-songwriters

Category:English singer-songwriters

Category:English soul musicians

Category:English contraltos

Category:Neo soul singers

Category:Brit Award winners

Category:Alumni of Camberwell College of Arts

Category:English soul singers

Category:English people of Barbadian descent

Category:English people of Guyanese descent

Category:20th-century Black British women singers

Category:20th-century English women singers

Category:Singers from the London Borough of Croydon

Category:People from Croydon

Category:550 Music artists

Category:S2 Records artists

Category:21st-century Black British women singers

Category:21st-century English women singers

Category:World Music Awards winners

Category:English contemporary R&B singers