Power of a Woman (song)

"Power of a Woman" is a song by British R&B girl group Eternal. It was written by the songwriting duo of Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers, and was released in October 1995 by EMI United Kingdom and 1st Avenue as the first single from the group's second studio album, Power of a Woman (1995). It was also their first release as a trio after the departure of Louise Redknapp. "Power of a Woman" peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart and became the group's fifth top-10 single. In Australia, the song became the group's second top-10 single, reaching number eight in April 1996. Its music video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas.^{[citation needed]}

"Power of a Woman"
Single by Eternal
from the album Power of a Woman
B-side	"Hurry Up"
Released	9 October 1995 (1995-10-09)
Length	3:56
Label	EMI United Kingdom 1st Avenue
Songwriter(s)	Carl Sturken Evan Rogers
Producer(s)	Ronnie Wilson Dennis Charles
Eternal singles chronology
"Crazy" (1994) "Power of a Woman" (1995) "I Am Blessed" (1995)

Critical reception

James Masterton for Dotmusic felt 'Power of a Woman' "is less of an immediate pop hit that some of its predecessors, instead being a rather dark yet no less brilliant R&B track. That alone is enough to make it the biggest new hit of the week".^[1] Pan-European magazine Music & Media noted that the British trio "manages to sound both forceful and feminine at the same time. Their seductive voices blend in well with the contemporary R&B-influenced production."^[2] A reviewer from Music Week gave it five out of five and named it Single of the Week, complimenting it as "a sinuous, piano-propelled R&B number, with US appeal stamped all over it."^[3]

David Quantick from NME found that the song is based "rather heavily" on The Emotions' 'Best of My Love'.^[4] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described it as a "powerfully wailed and cooed excellent US-style jillswinger".^[5] Also Gavin Reeve from Smash Hits gave 'Power of a Woman' five out of five, writing that "this is absolutely brilliant. A really confident, upbeat pop song with the usual supply of top-notch harmonies, a chorus that sticks in your head like superglue and all those kung fu-type noises they have a habit of putting in the background. Easther, Vernie and Kelle have never sounded better".^[6]

Track listings

UK and Australasian CD single[7] "Power of a Woman" "Hurry Up" "Power of a Woman" (Fathers of Sound dub mix) "Power of a Woman" (Bottom Dollar dub mix) UK cassette single and European CD single[8][9] "Power of a Woman" "Hurry Up"

UK 12-inch single[10] A1. "Power of a Woman" (Fathers of Sound vocal mix) A2. "Power of a Woman" (Bottom Dollar vocal mix) B1. "Power of a Woman" (Boot & Mac mix) B2. "Power of a Woman" (D.A.R.C. R&B mix) Japanese mini-CD single[11] "Power of a Woman (パワー・オブ・ア・ウーマン)" "Who Are You (フー・アー・ユー)"

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the Power of a Woman album booklet.^[12]

Studio

• Mastered at The Master Room (London, England)

Personnel

• Carl Sturken – writing
• Evan Rogers – writing
• Milton McDonald – guitar
• Dave Phillips – keyboards
• Ronnie Wilson – production
• Dennis Charles – production
• Nick Hopkins – recording engineer
• Andy Bradfield – mix engineering
• Ashley Alexander – assistant engineering
• Paul Meehan – programming
• Sam Noel – technician
• Arun Chakraverty – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1995–1996) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[13] 8 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[14] 18 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[15] 33 Ireland (IRMA)[16] 19 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 35 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 37 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[19] 33 Scotland (OCC)[20] 14 UK Singles (OCC)[21] 5 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[22] 1 UK Club Chart (Music Week)[23] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1995) Position UK Singles (OCC)[24] 85 Chart (1996) Position Australia (ARIA)[25] 53

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[25]	Gold	35,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United Kingdom	9 October 1995	CD cassette	EMI 1st Avenue	[26]
Japan	8 November 1995	Mini-CD	EMI	[27]