# Paid My Dues

"Paid My Dues" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her second studio album, Freak of Nature (2001). It was released on November 12, 2001, as the album's lead single. The song was written by Anastacia, Greg Lawson, Damon Sharpe, and LaMenga Kafi and was produced by Ric Wake with additional production by Richie Jones.
"Paid My Dues" became a commercial success, reaching number one in Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as peaking within the top 10 in several other mainland European countries.

## Composition

"Paid My Dues" was written by Anastacia, LaMenga Kafi, Greg Lawson, and Damon Sharpe, while production was handled by Ric Wake, with additional production by Richie Jones. Anastacia wrote the song about her early career in the music industry. In an interview with Billboard, she said: "For years, I had been told my voice was too black, that I should get contacts and ditch the glasses, that I was too in-your-face, the list goes on. Now, these are the very things that people respond to." According to James Salmon from Yahoo! Music, the song is a "typically robust 'go girl' anthem."

## Critical reception

Jose F. Promis writing for AllMusic called the song "the soulful, bombastic rocker". Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine wrote that "her tenacious attitude on songs like 'Paid My Dues' carve a unique niche for the singer." Aidin Vaziri wrote for Rolling Stone that the song is "grating" and one of Freak of Nature's "moments of sheer overkill".

## Music video

Directed by Liz Friedlander, the music video for "Paid My Dues" was shot in Los Angeles, California. In the beginning, Anastacia is speaking while being in a virtual mirror. Then you can see Anastacia in a room where she is packing her suitcases. Following this, you see her while she is trying to make her a way but there are many people she must across. Then she is in some kind of a disco, where she successfully tries again to find her way through people, this time to a stage.
When she finally arrives there, she goes through a mirror and is "teleported" to a stage, where she sings the song. In the end she pulls out the electricity cable.

## Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the European CD1 liner notes.
Studios
* Recorded at Cove City Sound Studios (Glen Cove, New York, US) and Sony Music Studios (New York City)
* Mixed at Cove City Sound Studios (Glen Cove, New York, US)
Personnel
* Anastacia – writing, vocals, backing vocals
* Greg Lawson, Damon Sharpe – writing
* LaMenga Kafi – writing, backing vocals
* Nicki Richards, Danny Madden – backing vocals
* Eric Kupper – keyboards, guitars
* Marc Russell – bass guitar, production coordination
* Ric Wake – production, arrangement
* Richie Jones – additional production, arrangement, mixing, drum programming
* Dan Hetzel – mixing, engineering
* Jim Annunziato – engineering assistant
* "Young" Dave Scheuer – recording
* Thomas R. Yezzi – recording (lead vocals)
* Lisa Braudé – executive production

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Gold | 20,000$^*$ |
| Belgium (BEA) | Gold | 25,000$^*$ |
| France (SNEP) | Gold | 250,000$^*$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 250,000$^^$ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway) | Gold | |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) | Gold | 20,000$^^$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Paid My Dues" :
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) |
| France | November 12, 2001 | 12-inch vinylmaxi CD | Sony Music |
| Germany | November 12, 2001 | CDmaxi CD | Sony Music |
| Australia | November 19, 2001 | CD | Sony Music |
| United Kingdom | November 19, 2001 | CassetteCD | RCA |