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 the United States, peaking at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart as well as number one on the Billboard Triple-A chart. It also entered the top 20 in Canada, peaking at number 19 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart.

"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	Natalie Merchant
Producer	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 Airplay (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]}