"Shackles (Praise You)" 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 (Praise You)" 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 on the UK singles chart and number 17 on the Irish Singles Chart. 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 as a "lip sync for your life" on RuPaul's Drag Race. In the 2009 sixth episode of season one, "The Absolut Ball", Rebecca Glasscock defeated Shannel in a lip sync of Shackles,"The Absolut Drag Ball". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 1. Episode 6. March 9, 2009. Logo TV and in 2021 tenth episode of season 13, "Freaky Friday Queens", Olivia Lux defeated Denali in a lip sync of the same song.
The song was featured in "Breakup", the 2024 fifth episode of the third season of American sitcom Abbott Elementary, performed by Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph).
Track listings United States
CD single "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18 "What a Friend" (snippet) – 1:03 "Be Happy" (snippet) – 1:42 "Thankful" (snippet) – 1:11 "Wade in the Water" (snippet) – 1:39
Maxi-CD single "Shackles (Praise You)" (single version) – 3:18 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix instrumental) – 8:55 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's New Year's Eve dub mix) – 7:15 "Shackles (Praise You)" (MO-apella) – 2:46
12-inch single A1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55 A2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's New Year's Eve dub mix) – 7:15 B1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix instrumental) – 8:55 B2. "Shackles (Praise You)" (MO-apella) – 2:46 B3. "Shackles (Praise You)" (single version) – 3:18
Cassette single A1. "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18 B1. "What a Friend" (snippet) – 1:03 B2. "Be Happy" (snippet) – 1:42 B3. "Thankful" (snippet) – 1:11 B4. "Wade in the Water" (snippet) – 1:39 B5. "Shackles (Praise You)" (MO-apella) – 2:46
International
Australian CD single "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix instrumental) – 8:55 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's New Year's Eve dub mix) – 7:15 "Shackles (Praise You)" (MO-apella) – 2:46
European CD1 "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45
European CD2 "Shackles (Praise You)" (album version) – 3:18 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45 "I Got It" – 3:52 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55
UK CD1 "Shackles (Praise You)" – 3:18 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Hil St. Soul mix) – 3:33 "Shackles (Praise You)" (2K mix by Tariq) – 3:08 "Shackles (Praise You)" (The Top Notch remix) – 2:50
UK CD2 "Shackles (Praise You)" – 3:18 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's radio mix) – 3:45 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55
UK cassette single "Shackles (Praise You)" – 3:18 "Shackles (Praise You)" (Maurice's Carnival 2000 mix) – 8:55
Personnel Vocals: Mary Mary All instruments: Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell Producer: Warryn Campbell Vocal producer: Mary Mary Writers: Warryn Campbell, Erica Atkins, Tina Atkins
Charts
Weekly charts +Chart (2000)PeakpositionCzech Republic (IFPI)24Denmark (IFPI)4Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)11Hungary (Mahasz)2Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)8Italy Airplay (Music & Media)7Poland (Music & Media)2Romania (Romanian Top 100)12
Year-end charts +Chart (2000)PositionAustralia (ARIA)10Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)51Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)27Brazil (Crowley)86Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)40France (SNEP)40Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)45Ireland (IRMA)89Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)6Netherlands (Single Top 100)24New Zealand (RIANZ)17Romania (Romanian Top 100)100Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)51UK Singles (OCC)48UK Urban (Music Week)1US Billboard Hot 100100US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)32US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)28US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)100
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesFebruary 29, 2000ColumbiaMarch 7, 2000April 18, 2000Contemporary hit radioNew ZealandMay 22, 2000JapanMay 24, 2000CDSonyUnited KingdomMay 29, 2000Columbia
References