Rockferry

Rockferry is the debut studio album by Welsh recording artist Duffy, released on 3 March 2008 in the United Kingdom by A&M Records. It was released in the United States by Mercury Records. Duffy worked with several producers and writers on the album, including Bernard Butler, Steve Booker, Jimmy Hogarth and Eg White. The album took four years to record in total.

The album has won a number of awards since its release, including the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 51st annual ceremony (2009). Duffy also won three awards at the 2009 BRIT Awards for her work on Rockferry including Best British Album, whilst Butler was given the Producer's Award.

It was a commercial success, reaching number-one in several music markets. It was the fourth best selling album of 2008 worldwide according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the highest of that year in the United Kingdom. In the UK the album was still in the top five a full year after its release, spending most of those weeks in the top ten albums, and a significant amount in the top three. In 2010, it was ranked the 22nd best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK.

Rockferry (song)

"Rockferry" is the debut single by British recording artist Duffy, written by Duffy and Bernard Butler. It is the first track on the album Rockferry. The music video for "Rockferry was filmed in Porthmadog".

Song information

"Rockferry" was available for download on 19 November 2007 and was released on 3 December 2007 on limited edition 7" vinyl, with only 500 copies. A free download of the track was originally available via a link published on 15 October 2006 in Observer Music Monthly. The cover and music video was taken in a shoot at the Ffestiniog Railway in Porthmadog, which was renamed for the occasion. The B-side "Oh Boy" was written by Richard J. Parfitt. Duffy cites "Oh Boy" as the song which meant she was discovered.

The song charted at No. 45 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as charting at No. 35 on its Swiss counterpart.

Critical reception

The track received widespread critical acclaim. Rolling Stone commented that she's "singing with great sincerity."Allmusic called it a "grand, sweeping ballad." MusicOMH.com said that she "carries the song unbelievably well, pouring drama and emotion into the lyrics, building up quite masterfully to the song's climax."Spin Magazine included "Rockferry" in its list of the 20 best songs of 2008.Time included it at number 9 of its Top 10 songs of 2008.