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Shy Guy

{{Short description|1995 single by Diana King}}

{{About|the song by Diana King|the Mario series characters|Shy Guy (Mario)|the song by Tinashe|333 (Tinashe album)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Shy Guy

| cover = Shy_guy.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Artwork for European release

| type = single

| artist = Diana King

| album = Tougher Than Love {{noitalic|and}} Bad Boys: Music from the Motion Picture

| released = {{start date|1995|3|14|df=y}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length =

  • 4:20 (album version)
  • 3:40 (single version)

| label = Work

| writer =

| producer = Andy Marvel

| prev_title = Stir It Up

| prev_year = 1994

| next_title = Ain't Nobody

| next_year = 1995

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|szjaHbjhauk|"Shy Guy"}}}}

}}

"Shy Guy" is a song by Jamaican recording artist and songwriter Diana King for the movie soundtrack album Bad Boys. It also appeared on King's debut studio album, Tougher Than Love (1995). The song was written by King, Kingsley Gardner and Andy Marvel, who produced the song as well. It was released by Sony Music worldwide in March 1995 as the lead single from Tougher Than Love. The song contains a sample from "School Boy Crush" by Average White Band.

The song received positive reviews from music critics, with many saying it was a definite highlight of the album and calling it one of the best reggae fusion songs of its time. AllMusic said the song was a highlight of both the soundtrack and King's debut album.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/bad-boys-r209391|title=AllMusic - Record Reviews, Streaming Songs, Genres & Bands|publisher=AllMusic}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/tougher-than-love-r217562|title=AllMusic - Record Reviews, Streaming Songs, Genres & Bands|publisher=AllMusic}} "Shy Guy" also received chart success. The song peaked at number thirteen in the United States and went to number two in the United Kingdom. It topped the charts in Finland, Sweden and Zimbabwe and became a top-five hit in several other countries, including Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway. Two music videos were produced for the song, directed by Marcus Nispel and Michael Bay.

Critical reception

Devon Jackson from Entertainment Weekly named "Shy Guy" a standout on the Bad Boys soundtrack, complimenting it as "a seamless merging of Anita Baker and dancehall reggae."{{cite magazine|author=Jackson, Devon|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/05/12/music-review-bad-boys-soundtrack/|title=Music Review: 'Bad Boys (soundtrack)'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=12 May 1995|access-date=20 October 2021}} Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report stated that King's artistry "will be discovered by the masses who hear this song via the airwaves and the soundtrack of the new Will Smith and Martin Lawrence film, Bad Boys. Hot tune, hot movie and a lot of airplay—that'll work!"{{cite magazine|first= Dave |last= Sholin |title= Gavin Picks > Singles |magazine= Gavin Report |issue= 2045 |date= 10 March 1995 |page= 62 |access-date= 16 April 2018 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/95/Gavin-1995-03-10.pdf}} Bianca Gracie from Idolator ranked it one of the 50 Best Pop Singles of 1995, noting that "the breezy mid-tempo dance tune features sassy lyrics that are peppered with patois inflections that urge women everywhere to realize they deserve more than what these f*ck boys are offering."{{cite web|author=Gracie, Bianca|title=The 50 Best Pop Singles Of 1995 (Featuring New Interviews With Alanis Morissette, Garbage, Kylie Minogue, Monica, Ace Of Base & More!)|work=Idolator|date=9 December 2015|access-date=6 April 2020|url=https://www.idolator.com/7615149/the-50-best-pop-singles-of-1995-alanis-morissette-garbage-kylie-minogue-monica-ace-of-base-interview}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} A reviewer from Music & Media said that "Miss [Mx] King provides prospect for the no-hopers. Move over fly guys, Diana wants a shy guy. Within the context of a mix of ragga and swingbeat, she [they] joyfully sing[s] and rap[s] about the timid type."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-05-20.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=20|date=20 May 1995|page=13|access-date=27 February 2018}} Stephen Meade from The Network Forty wrote that "reggae flava with ultra-smooth vocals lead us to a hook we can't forget."{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Meade|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-Network-40/95/Network-40-1995-02-24.pdf|title=Crossover|magazine=The Network Forty|date=24 February 1995|page=26|access-date=21 February 2018}} Rune Slyngstad from Norwegian Nordlandsposten described the song as "pulsating and catchy".{{cite news|first= Rune |last= Slyngstad |title= Nyheter CD & MC |work= Nordlandsposten |date= 7 June 1995 |page= 34 |access-date= 8 May 2020 |url= https://www.nb.no/items/7771124fdf1c91794c4e6761e4bef35d|language= Norwegian}}

Chart performance

"Shy Guy" was released as the lead single on both King's album and the soundtrack of Bad Boys. The song received charting success worldwide. The song debuted at number thirty-five on the Australian Singles Chart and later peaked at number three, staying at the position for three consecutive weeks. The song later debuted at number twenty-eight on the New Zealand Singles Chart. After seventeen weeks, it peaked at number three for one week. The song peaked at number thirteen on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over 500,000 copies in the US.

The song also had success in Europe. It debuted at number six on the Swiss Singles Chart, then peaked at number five for three consecutive weeks. It debuted at number thirty on the Austrian Singles Chart, and rose to number six for one week. The song later debuted at number twenty-seven on the French Singles Chart and rose to peak at number four, staying there for two consecutive weeks. The song was certified silver in France, selling over 125,000 copies there. The song reached number one on two charts. It debuted at number twenty-seven in Sweden before rising to number one for one week, while in Finland, the song remained at number one for four non-consecutive weeks. It also peaked at number two in Norway, staying there for seven consecutive weeks. The song debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart, then peaked at number two. It was certified Silver in the United Kingdom.

Music videos

Two music videos were made: one in black and white, directed by German film director and producer Marcus Nispel,{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/diana-king/976811/shy-guy.jhtml |title=Shy Guy {{!}} Diana King {{!}} Music Video {{!}} MTV |website=www.mtv.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407142635/http://www.mtv.com/videos/diana-king/976811/shy-guy.jhtml |archive-date=7 April 2014}} for the Tougher Than Love album; the other, directed by American film director and producer Michael Bay,{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/diana-king/976809/shy-guy.jhtml |title=Shy Guy {{!}} Diana King {{!}} Music Video {{!}} MTV |website=www.mtv.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407141115/http://www.mtv.com/videos/diana-king/976809/shy-guy.jhtml |archive-date=7 April 2014}} for the Bad Boys soundtrack with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence appearing in it. That video features King dancing and singing to the song in a very cold-looking environment, but through the chorus they are seen dancing on a runway looking stage.

Track listings

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

  • CD single
  1. "Shy Guy" (radio edit) — 3:39
  2. "Shy Guy" (Darpe mix) — 3:41
  • 7-inch single
  1. "Shy Guy" (radio edit) — 3:39
  2. "Shy Guy" (Darpe mix) — 3:41

{{col-2}}

  • CD maxi and 12-inch single
  1. "Shy Guy" (radio edit) — 3:39
  2. "Shy Guy" (Darpe mix) — 3:41
  3. "Shy Guy" (RandB mix) — 3:36
  4. "Shy Guy" (dancehall mix) — 5:00
  5. "Shy Guy" (dancehall dub) — 4:54

{{col-end}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

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

!Chart (1995)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|3|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019|refname="aus"}}
{{single chart|Austria|6|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Flanders|5|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|2|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|39|chartid=9220|rowheader=true|access-date=21 September 2019}}
{{single chart|Canadadance|20|chartid=9131|rowheader=true|access-date=21 September 2019}}
scope="row"|Denmark (IFPI){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-07-29.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=30|page=14|date=29 July 1995|access-date=29 October 2019}}

|2

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-07-29.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=30|page=12|date=29 July 1995|access-date=29 October 2019}}

|1

scope="row"|Europe (European Dance Radio){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-07-15.pdf|title=European Dance Radio|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=28|date=15 July 1995|page=16|access-date=23 April 2023}}

|1

{{single chart|Finland|1|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|France|4|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Germany|6|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|songid=3056|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
scope="row"|Hungary (Mahasz){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-11-18.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=46|page=29|date=18 November 1995|access-date=16 February 2020}}

|5

scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2732032#page/n25/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (2.9.1995 – 8.9.1995)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=28|date=2 September 1995|access-date=3 April 2018}}

|8

{{single chart|Ireland2|4|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
scope="row"|Italy (Musica e dischi){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-09-16.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=37|page=18|date=16 September 1995|access-date=26 November 2019}}

|10

scope="row"|Italy Airplay (Music & Media){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-09-02.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay: Italy|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=35|page=31|date=2 September 1995}}

| 1

{{single chart|Dutch40|2|year=1995|week=31|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|3|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|3|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Norway|2|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Scotland|11|date=19950722|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Sweden|1|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|5|artist=Diana King|song=Shy Guy|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|UK|2|date=19950729|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|UKdance|7|date=19950708|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|UKrandb|1|date=19950708|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|13|artist=Diana King|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboarddancesales|20|artist=Diana King|rowheader=true|access-date=6 May 2023}}
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|21|artist=Diana King|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|15|artist=Diana King|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|8|artist=Diana King|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2019}}
scope="row"|Zimbabwe (ZIMA)* Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000

|1

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

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

!Chart (1995)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/1995/singles-chart|title=1995 ARIA Singles Chart|publisher=ARIA|access-date=29 October 2019}}

|25

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1995|title=Jaaroverzichten 1995|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=29 October 2019}}

|52

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1995|title=Rapports annuels 1995|publisher=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=29 October 2019}}

|12

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-12-23.pdf|title=1995 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=51/52|page=14|date=23 December 1995|access-date=2 December 2019}}

|12

scope="row"|Europe (European Dance Radio){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-12-23.pdf|title=1995 in Review: European Dance Radio 1995|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=51/52|page=23|date=23 December 1995|access-date=5 March 2024}}

|2

scope="row"|France (SNEP){{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=1995|title=Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 1995|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=16 February 2021}}

|14

scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1995|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1995|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=29 October 2019}}

|31

scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2935413?iabr=on#page/n15/mode/2up|title=Árslistinn 1995|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=25|date=2 January 1996|access-date=30 May 2020}}

|74

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/pdf/Top%20100/top%20100%20-%201995.pdf|title=Single top 100 over 1995|publisher=Top40|language=nl|access-date=19 April 2010}}

|17

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1995&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1995|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=29 October 2019}}

|35

scope="row"|New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1995-12-31|title=End of Year Charts 1995|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=29 October 2019}}

|10

scope="row"|Sweden (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1995&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 1995|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=30 May 2020}}

|15

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1995|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1995|language=de|access-date=29 October 2019}}

|23

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=Top 100 Singles 1995|magazine=Music Week|page=9|date=13 January 1996}}

|25

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1995|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1995|access-date=27 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815124541/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1995|archive-date=15 August 2009}}

|43

scope="row"|US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1995|magazine=Billboard|access-date=1 December 2021|archive-date=3 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803035313/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs|url-status=dead}}

|73

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1995|certyear=1995|certref=|access-date=29 October 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=1995|access-date=29 October 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|artist=Diana King|title=Shy Guy|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=1995|access-date=29 October 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Diana King|title=Shy Guy|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=1995|access-date=29 October 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Diana King|title=Shy Guy|award=Gold|relyear=1995|id=1995-09-15|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=1995}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Diana King|title=Shy Guy|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=2017|id=5864-2190-1|access-date=16 February 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Diana King|title=Shy Guy|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=1995|access-date=29 October 2019}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"|Europe

|14 March 1995

|CD

|Work

|

scope="row"|Japan

|21 July 1995

|Mini-CD

|Sony

|{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/101425/products/237829/1/|title=シャイ・ガイ {{!}} ダイアナ・キング|trans-title=Shy Guy {{!}} Diana King|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=29 December 2023}}

Covers and samples

In 1998, a cover version of the song called Jeito Sexy became the first hit of Brazilian band Fat Family.[http://cliquemusic.uol.com.br/artistas/ver/fat-family CliqueMusic - Fat Family] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107073520/http://cliquemusic.uol.com.br/artistas/ver/fat-family |date=7 January 2010 }} (in Portuguese) Cliquemusic. UOL Retrieved 10 March 2016.

Aswad and former Eternal singer Easther Bennett recorded a version of the song in 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/aswad/|title=ASWARD - Artist - Official Charts|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=20 July 2024}}

In December 2008, Mýa recorded a cover version of "Shy Guy" with the words in English rather than in the patois that King's version was recorded in. This was included on Mýa's 2008 Japan-only album Sugar & Spice but was not released as a single.

In 2016, Belgian singer Unicq released her own bilingual French / English version under the title "Mercy (Shy Guy)". The single reached number 76 on the SNEP chart, the French official singles chart.{{cite web|url=http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Unicq&titel=Mercy+(Shy+Guy)&cat=s|title=lescharts.com - Unicq - Mercy (Shy Guy)|first=Steffen|last=Hung|website=lescharts.com}}

The chorus of the 2016 song "Don't Hurt Me" by DJ Mustard and Nicki Minaj contains an interpolation of "Shy Guy".

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Diana King}}

{{Bad Boys}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1995 singles

Category:1995 songs

Category:Bad Boys (franchise)

Category:Black-and-white music videos

Category:Diana King songs

Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles

Category:Music videos directed by Marcus Nispel

Category:Music videos directed by Michael Bay

Category:Number-one singles in Finland

Category:Number-one singles in Sweden

Category:Number-one singles in Zimbabwe

Category:Songs written by Andy Marvel

Category:Songs written for films