Diana King’s Shy Guy hits platinum in the UK
Diana King’s biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit to date, Shy Guy (which peaked at #13 in 1995), has been certified platinum in the United Kingdom (UK).
The certification issued Friday by the British Phonographic Industry, measured the equivalent of 600,000 units in sales and streaming equivalent.
Shy Guy stalled at #2 on the UK Singles chart. It was also successful in other parts of the world, where it topped charts in Finland, Sweden and in Zimbabwe. It was a Top 5 hit in Australia, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand and in Norway.
The song is featured on the soundtrack to the film Bad Boys as well as her debut album Tougher Than Love, which was released by Work Group, a subsidiary of Sony Music.
Shy Guy was previously certified gold in the United States, New Zealand, Germany, France, Belgium and in Australia.
King, who is originally from Spanish Town came from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful Jamaican female vocalists.
After a stint with the City Heat band which made its name on the hotel circuit, King went solo and released the single Change of Heart in 1991, produced by Handel Tucker.
She broke through on the Billboard charts in 1994 with a cover of Stir it Up, which was made popular by Bob Marley and the Wailers. The song peaked at 53 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart.
But it was Shy Guy which announced her arrival on the international scene. Signing with The Work Group, King rose on the international scene.
Other hits which flowed included L-L-Lies, Love Triangle and a cover of the Rufus and Chaka Khan’s hit Ain’t Nobody. All made the Billboard charts.
Her 1997 album Think Like a Girl featured an interpretation of Say A Little Prayer, which was also featured in the Julia Roberts movie My Best Friend’s Wedding. Say A Little Prayer dented the Billboard Hot 100, Dance/Club Play and United Kingdom charts.
In 1997, Canadian singer Celine Dion released a cover of Diana’s Treat Her Like a Lady, which hit the charts in Britain, and Europe in 1999.
These days, King resides in Florida.
