Bag Lady

2000 single by Erykah Badu
a homeless person

"Bag Lady" is a song recorded by American singer Erykah Badu for her second studio album Mama's Gun (2000). Written by Badu and Isaac Hayes, the song is about a woman who is trying to begin a new relationship but has too much emotional baggage and can't get close to anyone. The song's message is to "pack light" and have hope for the future. It was released as the lead single from Mama's Gun on August 8, 2000, by Motown Records. A commercial success, "Bag Lady" peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Badu's first top ten hit on the chart, and topped the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart for six weeks. Critically acclaimed, it earned Badu two nominations at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards (2001), for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.

In the United States, "Bag Lady" debuted at number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated August 19, 2000. After weeks of ascending and descending within the chart, it reached its peak at number six on October 7, 2000, thus becoming Badu's first top ten hit on the chart. It spent a total of 20 weeks on the chart and finished at number 69 on the year end Billboard Hot 100 for 2000. In a segment during the video, Erykah and her "bag ladies"–including singers Yahzarah and N'dambi, as well as Badu's mother and sister–dance to an excerpt of Johnny Hammond's "Gambler's Life" (1974). The video was shot on Mini DV digital video—an unusual choice for a mainstream music video production–which gave it an appearance similar to a home movie.

+ Release dates and formats for "Bag Lady" Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref. (Reference(s)) United States August 8, 2000 Rhythmic contemporary radio, urban adult contemporary radio, urban contemporary radio Motown August 15, 2000 12 inch vinyl Japan September 6, 2000 Maxi CD Universal Music Japan United States September 12, 2000 Cassette single, Cassette, CD single, CD Motown France September 25, 2000 Maxi CD Barclay