Mr. Wendal

"Mr. Wendal" is a song recorded and released by American rap group Arrested Development in 1992, from their most commercially successful album, 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of.... In Europe and Australia, it was issued as a double A-side with their following single, "Revolution."

"Mr. Wendal"
Single by Arrested Development
from the album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of...
ReleasedDecember 7, 1992
Recorded1991
GenreHip hop
Length4:06
LabelEMI/Chrysalis Records
Songwriter(s)Todd Thomas, Sylvester Stewart
Producer(s)Speech
Arrested Development singles chronology
"People Everyday"
(1992)		 "Mr. Wendal"
(1992)		 "Revolution"
(1992)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Mr. Wendal" on YouTube

In the United States, the song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, selling 500,000 copies and earning a gold certification. Additionally, it peaked within the top ten on the charts of Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. In 1993 Kids Incorporated covered "Mr. Wendal" in the Season 9 episode "One Man Band".[1]

Content

The song was written about the plight of the homeless and encourages people not to ignore them just because of their status or how they look, but instead to learn from their non-materialistic lifestyles.

The song features a sample from "Sing a Simple Song" by Sly and the Family Stone [2] and possibly borrows its chord structure from "Peg" by Steely Dan.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard called it "another gem". He added, "Once again, lyrics that realistically reflect the strife and struggle of survival during these racially tense times are woven into an easy-going pop/hip-hop groove. Icing on the cake are rich and soulful vocals at the chorus."[3] Dave Sholin from Gavin Report said the song is "entertaining, thought-provoking and cutting-edge".[4] Music Week stated that the follow up to "People Everyday" "is a wordy, worthy successor", adding it as "there's no familiar tune to latch on to this time, just a doodling instrumental in which they leave — for a rap groove , at least — some sizable gaps, giving the track room to breathe." They also wrote that the song "will be a considerable hit."[5] Mark Sutherland from Smash Hits gave "Mr. Wendal" 5 out of 5, calling it a "deliciously laidback rap number".[6]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Keith Ward.[7]

Charts and certifications

References
  1. "Kids Incorporated – Mr. Wendal".
  2. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/6492/Arrested-Development-Mr.-Wendal-Sly-%26-the-Family-Stone-Sing-a-Simple-Song/
  3. Flick, Larry (December 19, 1992). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 71. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  4. Sholin, Dave (December 4, 1992). "Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 60. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  5. "Mainstream: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. December 19, 1992. p. 9. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  6. "New Singles: Best New Single". Smash Hits. January 6, 1993. p. 45. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  7. "Arrested Development: Mr. Wendall" – via IMDb.
  8. "Australian-charts.com – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  9. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 100235." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  10. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1714." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  11. "Hits of the World". Billboard. 6 March 1993. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  12. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10 no. 5. January 30, 1993. p. 43. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  13. "Lescharts.com – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in French). Les classement single.
  14. "Offiziellecharts.de – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  15. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mr Wendal / Revolution". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  16. "Dutchcharts.nl – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  17. "Charts.nz – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". Top 40 Singles.
  18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  19. "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  20. "Arrested Development Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  21. "Arrested Development Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  22. "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  23. "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  24. "Arrested Development Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  25. "Arrested Development Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  26. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  27. "The RPM Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  28. "End of Year Charts 1993". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  29. "Billboard Top 100 – 1993". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  30. "New Zealand single certifications – Arrested Development – Mr Wendal". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  31. "American single certifications – Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 7, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  32. "Best-Selling Records of 1993". Billboard. BPI Communications. 106 (3): 73. January 15, 1994. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
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