Constant Craving
"Constant Craving" is a ballad co-written by Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang and composer Ben Mink, recorded by lang as the lead single from her second solo studio album, Ingénue, released on March 17, 1992, by Sire Records and Warner Bros.[1][2] The track, characterized by its orchestral arrangement, lang's emotive alto vocals, and themes of persistent romantic longing, marked a departure from her earlier country influences toward sophisticated pop, propelling Ingénue to commercial breakthrough with sales exceeding four million copies worldwide.[3][4] Peaking at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart in the United States, it also topped charts in Canada and reached the top 10 in several European countries following its April 1992 single release.[3] The song's music video, directed by Mark Romanek, featured lang performing in a minimalist setting and won the 1993 MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video.[1] At the 35th Grammy Awards in 1993, "Constant Craving" secured lang's first win for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, with Ingénue also nominated for Album of the Year, underscoring its critical acclaim for blending vulnerability and artistry.[2][3] Lang has described the lyrics as capturing an innate human drive for connection, inspired during a period of personal and artistic evolution, while Mink contributed the melody after lang hummed the hook.[4] Though not overtly controversial, the song's release coincided with lang's public coming out as gay, amplifying its resonance in queer culture amid broader societal shifts, yet its universal appeal transcended niche audiences to achieve enduring radio play and covers by artists including Tracy Chapman.[4]Development
Songwriting and Inspiration
"Constant Craving" was co-written by k.d. lang and her longtime collaborator Ben Mink during the creation of lang's 1992 album Ingénue.[5] The pair developed the track as part of lang's shift from country influences toward a more sophisticated pop style, with Mink contributing violin arrangements that enhanced its orchestral feel.[1] Lang initially viewed the song as overly commercial and resisted it during early sessions, but it ultimately became a cornerstone of the album.[3] The song's lyrical inspiration draws from lang's Buddhist practice, reflecting concepts of samsara—the cycle of craving, attachment, and suffering central to Buddhist teachings.[5] In a 2009 interview with Lion's Roar, lang described it as an embodiment of the first noble truth of suffering, stating, "It’s about craving and attachment," emphasizing universal human desires like love, vulnerability, and longing beyond romantic or sexual interpretations.[6] She has also cited influence from Joni Mitchell's introspective songwriting, which informed the sparse, evocative lyrics focusing on persistent yearning.[7] This metaphysical depth aligns with lang's personal exploration of desire as a source of both pain and hope, applicable to various life experiences rather than a singular narrative.[8]Recording and Production
"Constant Craving" was co-produced by k.d. lang, Ben Mink, and Greg Penny, with engineering primarily handled by Marc Ramaer and Greg Penny.[9][3] The track's foundational demos were developed during summer and fall 1991 at lang's rented house in Vancouver's Chinatown, building on initial songwriting that began in spring 1991 under the working title "Easter Passover."[3] Basic tracking took place at Vancouver Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, spanning early to late 1991, utilizing the facility's "A" room equipped with an SSL 4056G console and Studer A-800 multitrack tape recorder, before shifting to the "B" studio with an SSL E-series console.[3][10] Approximately 30% of the demo elements were retained in the final version, with the arrangement layered individually; for this track, guitars were re-tracked to accommodate a key change, emphasizing subtle percussion from sources like a Roland R-8 drum machine.[3] Additional vocal and instrumental overdubs, along with mixing, were completed at Skip Saylor Recording in Los Angeles using an SSL 4080G console and API equipment, incorporating microphones such as the AKG 414, Neumann U 87, and KM 84 for capture, and processing via dbx 160X compressors and Dolby SR noise reduction.[3] Ramaer contributed extensive hours to the sessions, reflecting the team's commitment to the project, which culminated in the album Ingénue's release on March 17, 1992.[3][11]Musical Elements
Composition and Arrangement
"Constant Craving" was composed collaboratively by k.d. lang and Ben Mink in a rented space in Vancouver, where the music emerged quickly using a Casio keyboard, drawing inspiration from the flowing open chords in Joni Mitchell's "Black Crow."[4] Ben Mink contributed a violin riff that formed the basis of the chorus melody, while lang initially struggled with lyrics for months until the central phrase "constant craving" unlocked the rest, typed at a window overlooking the city.[4] Originally titled "Easter Passover" to reflect its creation around that holiday, the track adopted an Eastern minor-key flavor influenced by early klezmer and dark cabaret elements.[4] The song is set in F minor and structured in verse-chorus form, substituting a guitar solo for a third verse to maintain its concise ballad length.[12][3] Arrangement began with a foundational acoustic guitar track and click track, layered gradually with additional elements including multiple acoustic guitars (Washburn parlor, Martin, and Gibson models), accordion, vibraphone performed by Gary Burton, sparse percussion, and minimal drums overdubbed from a Roland R-8 drum machine by Randall Stoll.[3] Subtle contributions from steel guitar by Greg Leisz and electric guitar on a National Avalon added texture without overpowering the core, achieving a pop-oriented torch singer style with European cabaret undertones suited for radio play.[3] Late-night reworkings adjusted guitars to fit lang's vocal range after an initial recording proved too low.[4]Lyrics and Interpretations
The lyrics of "Constant Craving," co-written by k.d. lang and Ben Mink, depict an inner compulsion toward fulfillment, framed through metaphors of endurance and spiritual return. The opening verse evokes resilience amid adversity: "Even through the darkest phase / Be it thick or thin / Always someone marches brave / Here beneath my skin," portraying desire as an intrinsic, persistent force. The chorus repeats the titular phrase, emphasizing its inescapability: "Constant craving / Has always been," while the second verse introduces a transcendent pull: "I hear a calling voice / Somewhere beyond the grave / I feel the desire to return / To the place from which I came," suggesting a yearning that transcends the physical.[13][5] k.d. lang has described the song as a broad encapsulation of human desire, stating it acknowledges universal experiences of heartbreak, nervousness, vulnerability, and hope, with craving as "the essence of our existence."[5] In a 2009 interview, she linked the theme explicitly to Buddhist philosophy, interpreting "constant craving" as a restatement of the first noble truth—the truth of suffering (dukkha) arising from attachment and desire—reflecting her own engagement with Eastern spiritual traditions during the album's creation.[6] This aligns with the lyrics' portrayal of craving not merely as romantic longing but as a fundamental, potentially metaphysical drive, though lang initially resisted the song's commercial polish, viewing it as overly accessible compared to her prior work.[4] Interpretations beyond lang's own emphasize the song's ambiguity, allowing listeners to project personal resonances, from erotic tension to existential quest, without explicit resolution; the repeated questioning—"Will I stay?"—underscores unresolved tension rather than catharsis.[14] Critics have noted its restraint in lyricism, where sparse phrasing amplifies emotional universality, avoiding overt specificity that might limit its appeal.[14] While some contemporary analyses frame it within queer cultural contexts given lang's public coming out in 1992, lang's statements prioritize a non-partisan human ontology over identity-specific readings.[5]Release
Single Formats and Release Dates
"Constant Craving" was issued as a single in 1992 across multiple physical formats, primarily by Sire Records and Warner Bros. Records, coinciding with the promotion of k.d. lang's album Ingénue.[15] In the United States, the initial commercial release appeared as a cassette single (Sire 9 18942-4), featuring the album version and B-side tracks.[16] European markets received 12-inch vinyl singles (e.g., Warner Bros. 9362-40432-0) and CD singles (e.g., Sire 9362-40432-9), both dated 1992, often including remixes and live versions.[17] [18] Subsequent releases extended into 1993, such as the UK 7-inch vinyl single (Warner Bros. W 0157 / Sire 5439-18589-7), which included the radio edit and additional B-sides like a live "Miss Chatelaine."[19] Promotional formats, including 7-inch vinyl promos, were distributed earlier in some territories to radio stations.[20]| Region | Format | Release Year | Label/Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Cassette single | 1992 | Sire 9 18942-4 |
| Europe | 12" vinyl | 1992 | Warner Bros. 9362-40432-0 |
| Europe | CD single | 1992 | Sire 9362-40432-9 |
| UK/Europe | 7" vinyl | 1993 | Warner Bros. W 0157 / Sire 5439-18589-7 |
Promotion and Marketing
Sire Records, in conjunction with Warner Bros., promoted "Constant Craving" as the lead single from Ingénue through targeted radio campaigns, distributing promotional advertisements and posters to stations to encourage airplay, particularly on adult contemporary formats where the track achieved number-one status.[21] Promotional singles were issued in multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl and CD, to support DJs and programmers, with releases documented as early as 1992 in various markets.[15] Television appearances formed a core element of the single's visibility push; k.d. lang performed "Constant Craving" on Late Show with David Letterman on May 1, 1992, accompanied by collaborators Ben Mink on guitar and Teddy Borowiecki on accordion, coinciding with the song's chart ascent on the Billboard Hot 100 where it debuted at number 89 on August 1, 1992.[22][23] These broadcasts, alongside the accompanying music video directed by Mark Romanek, amplified mainstream exposure amid the album's stylistic shift toward torch-song sophistication. The campaign integrated with Ingénue's broader rollout, including a 1992 tour that featured the single prominently, as evidenced by crew passes from the period, helping sustain momentum post-release on March 17, 1992.[24] Such efforts, without notable controversies or tie-ins, aligned with standard industry practices for pop singles, prioritizing airplay and live demonstrations over print advertising or merchandise.[25]Commercial Performance
Chart Achievements
"Constant Craving" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 89 on the chart dated August 1, 1992, and climbed to its peak position of number 38 on October 10, 1992, maintaining presence on the chart for a total of 19 weeks. The single demonstrated stronger performance on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, where it reached number 2.[26] In Canada, "Constant Craving" peaked at number 8 on the RPM Top Singles chart and number 2 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.[27] On the UK Singles Chart, the song achieved a peak position of number 15.[28] It also entered the Australian Singles Chart, reaching number 38 and spending 9 weeks in the top 50.[29]| Chart | Peak Position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Canada RPM Top Singles | 8 | RPM Archives |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 38 | Billboard |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 2 | Billboard |
| UK Singles Chart | 15 | Official Charts Company via MusicVF |
| Australia ARIA Singles | 38 | Australian Charts |