Shackles (Praise You)


"Shackles " is a song by American gospel singer-songwriter duo Mary Mary from their first album, Thankful. Released February 29, 2000, as the duo's debut single, it is one of the best-selling gospel songs of all time. Stan North of GospelFlava.com deemed it one of the pioneer songs of urban gospel music. "Shackles" became a top-10 hit in several countries, including Australia, Denmark, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and charted well in other major music markets. Mary Mary later produced a music video for the song.

Critical reception

Like many contemporary gospel songs, "Shackles" was not without its criticism; many cited the song as being too modern and not staying true to its gospel roots. Mary Mary responded by saying, "It's definitely contemporary. It's music that everybody in any style of music can relate to. It's universal, but the lyrics are undeniably Gospel."

Commercial performance

"Shackles " became a top-40 hit in the United States, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was also a worldwide hit, reaching number five in the United Kingdom and number 17 in Ireland. Across mainland Europe, the song was a top-10 hit in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway. It also charted strongly in France, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland, peaking within the top 20. In Australia, the song reached number two in September 2000 and was the highest-selling song of the year that did not reach the number-one spot, coming in at number 10 on Australia's year-end chart for 2000.

Usage in media

The song has been used twice in the "lip sync for your life" during RuPaul's Drag Race. In the sixth episode of season one of RuPaul's Drag Race,Rebecca Glasscock defeated Shannel in a lip sync of Shackles, and in the tenth episode of season 13, Olivia Lux defeated Denali in a lip sync of the same song.
The song was featured in the fifth episode of the third season of American sitcom Abbott Elementary, performed by Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Track listings

United States

CD single
  1. "Shackles " – 3:18
  2. "What a Friend" – 1:03
  3. "Be Happy" – 1:42
  4. "Thankful" – 1:11
  5. "Wade in the Water" – 1:39
Maxi-CD single
  1. "Shackles " – 3:18
  2. "Shackles " – 3:45
  3. "Shackles " – 8:55
  4. "Shackles " – 8:55
  5. "Shackles " – 7:15
  6. "Shackles " – 2:46
12-inch single
'''Cassette single'''

International

Australian CD single
  1. "Shackles " – 3:18
  2. "Shackles " – 3:45
  3. "Shackles " – 8:55
  4. "Shackles " – 8:55
  5. "Shackles " – 7:15
  6. "Shackles " – 2:46
European CD1
  1. "Shackles " – 3:18
  2. "Shackles " – 3:45
European CD2
  1. "Shackles " – 3:18
  2. "Shackles " – 3:45
  3. "I Got It" – 3:52
  4. "Shackles " – 8:55
UK CD1
  1. "Shackles " – 3:18
  2. "Shackles " – 3:33
  3. "Shackles " – 3:08
  4. "Shackles " – 2:50
UK CD2
  1. "Shackles " – 3:18
  2. "Shackles " – 3:45
  3. "Shackles " – 8:55
UK cassette single
  1. "Shackles " – 3:18
  2. "Shackles " – 8:55

Personnel