Rockferry (song)
Encyclopedia
"Rockferry" is the debut single
by Duffy
, written by Duffy and Bernard Butler
. It is the first track on the album Rockferry
.
in Porthmadog
, which was renamed for the occasion. The B-side "Oh Boy" was written by Richard J. Parfitt. Duffy cites "Oh Boy" as the song which meant she was discovered.
The song charted at #45 on the UK Singles Chart
, as well as charting at #35 on its Swiss counterpart
.
commented that she's "singing with great sincerity." Allmusic called it a "grand, sweeping ballad." MusicOMH.com said that she "carries the song unbelievably well, pouring drama and emotion into the lyrics, building up quite masterfully to the song's climax." Spin Magazine included "Rockferry" in its list of the 20 best songs of 2008. Time
included it at number 9 of its Top 10 songs of 2008.
(175 410-6; Released: 2007)
Promo CD
iTunes Rockferry - Single
and Joseph Bull, on and around the Ffestiniog Railway
in Porthmadog
, which was renamed 'Rockferry' for the occasion.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by Duffy
Duffy (singer)
Aimée Ann Duffy , known as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Her 2008 debut album Rockferry entered the UK Album Chart at number one. It was the best-selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008 with 1.68 million copies sold...
, written by Duffy and Bernard Butler
Bernard Butler
Bernard Joseph Butler is an English musician and record producer. He first emerged in the early Britpop era with Suede. He has been hailed by some critics as the greatest guitarist of his generation, as well as one of Britain's most original and influential guitarists...
. It is the first track on the album Rockferry
Rockferry
Rockferry is the debut studio album by Welsh blue-eyed soul singer Duffy, released on 3 March 2008 in the United Kingdom by A&M Records. It was released in the United States by Mercury Records. Duffy worked with several producers and writers on the album, including Bernard Butler, Steve Booker,...
.
Song information
"Rockferry" was available for download on 19 November 2007 and was released on 3 December 2007 on limited edition 7" vinyl, with only 500 copies. A free download of the track was originally available via a link published in the October 15th 2006 edition of the Observer Music Monthly. The cover and music video was taken in a shoot at the Ffestiniog RailwayFfestiniog Railway
The Ffestiniog Railway is a narrow gauge heritage railway, located in Gwynedd, Wales. It is a major tourist attraction located mainly within the Snowdonia National Park....
in Porthmadog
Porthmadog
Porthmadog , known locally as "Port", and historically rendered into English as Portmadoc, is a small coastal town and community in the Eifionydd area of Gwynedd, in Wales. Prior to the Local Government Act 1972 it was in the administrative county of Caernarfonshire. The town lies east of...
, which was renamed for the occasion. The B-side "Oh Boy" was written by Richard J. Parfitt. Duffy cites "Oh Boy" as the song which meant she was discovered.
The song charted at #45 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, as well as charting at #35 on its Swiss counterpart
Swiss Music Charts
The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75...
.
Critical reception
The track received extremely positive reviews. Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
commented that she's "singing with great sincerity." Allmusic called it a "grand, sweeping ballad." MusicOMH.com said that she "carries the song unbelievably well, pouring drama and emotion into the lyrics, building up quite masterfully to the song's climax." Spin Magazine included "Rockferry" in its list of the 20 best songs of 2008. Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
included it at number 9 of its Top 10 songs of 2008.
Track listing
UK 7" Vinyl(175 410-6; Released: 2007)
- "Rockferry" [Single Version] - 4:11
- "Oh Boy" - 2:29
Promo CD
- "Rockferry" [Single Version] - 4:09
iTunes Rockferry - Single
- "Rockferry" - 4:12
- "Oh Boy" - 2:32
Charts
Rockferry peaked at #45 in the UK, whilst due to the popularity of the song, the B-Side, Oh Boy managed to chart #96.Rockferry
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
45 |
| Swiss Singles Chart Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
35 |
Oh Boy
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
96 |
Music video
The black and white album art and video for the title track were shot by directors Luke SeomoreLuke Seomore
Luke Seomore is an award-winning English film director, and musician, part of a critically acclaimed filmmaking duo working alongside English director Joseph Bull. They often work together under the name 'Institute for Eyes'. Their work includes music videos, film, television and art installations...
and Joseph Bull, on and around the Ffestiniog Railway
Ffestiniog Railway
The Ffestiniog Railway is a narrow gauge heritage railway, located in Gwynedd, Wales. It is a major tourist attraction located mainly within the Snowdonia National Park....
in Porthmadog
Porthmadog
Porthmadog , known locally as "Port", and historically rendered into English as Portmadoc, is a small coastal town and community in the Eifionydd area of Gwynedd, in Wales. Prior to the Local Government Act 1972 it was in the administrative county of Caernarfonshire. The town lies east of...
, which was renamed 'Rockferry' for the occasion.
Further information
- The front cover of "Rockferry" was taken on the Ffestiniog RailwayFfestiniog RailwayThe Ffestiniog Railway is a narrow gauge heritage railway, located in Gwynedd, Wales. It is a major tourist attraction located mainly within the Snowdonia National Park....
at PorthmadogPorthmadogPorthmadog , known locally as "Port", and historically rendered into English as Portmadoc, is a small coastal town and community in the Eifionydd area of Gwynedd, in Wales. Prior to the Local Government Act 1972 it was in the administrative county of Caernarfonshire. The town lies east of...
(renamed for the occasion), North WalesNorth WalesNorth Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
on the video shoot for the single. - The 7" single was limited to 500 copies.
- Spin Magazine include "Rockferry" in its list of the 20 best songs of 2008. http://www.spin.com/articles/20-best-songs-2008?page=0%2C1
- TIME Magazine includes it on its top 10 songs of 2008 at #9. http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/top10/article/0,30583,1855948_1863440_1863540,00.html