Constant Craving

"Constant Craving" is a song written by k.d. lang and Ben Mink, and performed by k.d. lang on her album "Ingénue". The song first made the charts in 1992, and won her the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1993 and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video.
"Constant Craving" peaked at number eight on Canada's "RPM" Top Singles chart and number 38 on the US "Billboard" Hot 100, giving Lang her only US top-40 hit to date. It also reached number two on the "Billboard" Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. In the United Kingdom, the song was initially a modest hit when released in 1992, but following a reissue in 1993 in the wake of its American success, it reached a new peak of number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.
Song information.
The Rolling Stones used a refrain very similar to that of "Constant Craving" in their 1997 single "Anybody Seen My Baby?." They later gave writing credits on that song to k.d. lang and Mink, shared with the original authors Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Critical reception.
Mark Deming from AllMusic noted that "the emotional core" of songs like "Constant Craving", "was obvious even when their surfaces were evasive." Larry Flick from "Billboard" said "there is no denying the rootsy, down-home quality of this wonderfully produced tune. Lang's distinctive voice is woven into spiraling multitracked harmonies, wafting over a base of acoustic guitar strumming and subtle accordian and xylophone interludes." "Cashbox" picked it as a "standout" cut from the "Ingénue" album. "Daily Mirror" described it as "haunting". The Daily Vault's Jason Warburg called it a "dynamite single", that "manages to meld the spiritual with the physical while conveying a feverish desire for both kinds of fulfillment." He also noted it as "upbeat", "expansive and full of simmering appeal". "Gavin Report" commented, "k.d.'s foresaken country for a straight pop format that will finally win her the mass audience she's deserved. This track showcases her wonderful voice in solo and multi-part harmonies." "Music & Media" wrote, "Tales from the new west. La lang has changed her position on horseback for a more comfortable seat on the coach. In mind, she's singing in some Paris café in the decadent '20s."
Music video.
The music video for the song was filmed in black-and-white. It presents a fanciful recreation of the premiere of Samuel Beckett's play "Waiting for Godot" in Paris, 1953. Here, she is depicted singing backstage while the actors perform. The director, Mark Romanek, says the song's lyrics of desperation and waiting fit well with the themes of Beckett's play. Much to Lang's surprise, the video won Best Female Video at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards.
Cover versions.
Track listings (Abigail version).
12-inch vinyl single (Klone Records – 1993)
CD maxi-single (Klone Records – 1993)
12-inch vinyl single (ZYX Music – 1995)
CD maxi-single (ZYX Music – 1995)