7 Seconds

Album: Man (1994)
Charted: 3 98
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Neneh Cherry wrote this and recorded it as a duet with Senegalese artist Youssou N'Dour. Cherry is best known by many for her 1989 transatlantic Top 10 hit "Buffalo Stance."
  • Neneh Cherry (from her website): "'7 Seconds' is about the first positive 7 seconds in the life of a child just born not knowing about the problems and violence in our world."
  • This won the 1994 MTV Europe Music Award for Best Song for writers Youssou N'Dour, Neneh Cherry and Cherry's husband Cameron McVey.
  • Three different languages were used in this song: English, French and Wolof, which is a language spoken in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania.
  • This reached the Top 3 in most European countries and sold 3 million copies worldwide. In France it was top of the charts for 16 consecutive weeks, a record at the time. Neneh Cherry commented on its success to The Independent March 26, 2004: "That tune grew on its own, completely out of proportion. It was out there doing its own thing. But that is a dream when you write a song."
  • Sengalese singer Youssou N'Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. He began singing traditional music at the age of twelve and joined the Star Band at the age of sixteen. He helped make mbalax, the national dance music of Senegal and The Gambia, popular in Africa.

Comments: 2

  • Thetruth from U.kI don't know why but I got this song in my head at work and I listened to it and broke down in tears ( I'm considered a feeling less person ) such a beautiful song and the meaning I take from it makes me see no hope for humanity
  • Stafler from Durban, South AfricaEven though i can't understand french and wolof, i love those lyrics so much. IT IS ONE OF BEST DUETS EVER.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.