" Devotion" is a song by the English electronic group Nomad. The track was a top ten UK hit in 1991, where it reached number 2, and a number 1 BillboardHot Dance Club Play chart single in the United States, where it reached the top spot in June 1991 and stayed there for one week. The song also reached number-one in Greece. MTV Dance placed " Devotion" at #32 in their list ofThe 100 Biggest 90s Dance Anthems Of All Time in November 2011.
Background and release
The track was produced by Damon Rochefort, who also shares writing credits with fellow Nomad member Steve McCutcheon and rapper MC Mikee Freedom. It also quotes from the earlier club hit "Devotion" by Ten City. Although Freedom and singer Sharon Dee Clarke were the featured artists on this track when it was released in the United Kingdom and other territories, they were listed as uncredited in the US single version up until the act's full-length CD Changing Cabins was released Stateside in the autumn of 1991. Both artists were featured in the video for the track, which had them dressed in body paint while they were performing the song at a rave concert. The song is notable for being the first song that Steve Mac ever wrote. When asked about the track and its success in an April 2010 interview, Mac said: In addition to the rap version, there is also a Soul Mix version that features Clarke's vocal performance without the rap. Both versions along with the Italo house version are included on the Changing Cabins CD.
Critical reception
editor Stewart Mason described the song as a "terrific dance club staple" and noted further that singer Sharon Dee Clarke has a "soulful, expressive voice", and writer/programmer Damon Rochefort gives the whole thing a "perky, bouncy feel". David Taylor-Wilson from Bay Area Reporter said it is "extremely enticing", complimenting Clarke's vocals as "superb". Pop Rescue wrote that "it's audience cheers as Sharon declares that she wants 'to give you devotion' before that familiar bassy synth follows and she lets out that unmistakeable 'heeee-eee-hooo-oooo' piece. Rapper MC Mikee Freedom joins in, in what is a great example of early 1990s chart rap – somewhat slower and devoid of the sexual violence that you'd expect in most rap now." Johnny Dee from Smash Hits noted the track as "utterlly brill" in his review of Changing Cabins.
Music video
The music video of " Devotion" was directed by Jerome Redfarn.
