3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...

3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...
Studio album by Arrested Development
Released	March 24, 1992
Recorded	1991
Genre	Alternative hip hop
Length	61:08
Label	Chrysalis/EMI Records 0946 3 21929 2 9 F2-21929
Producer	Speech
Arrested Development chronology
3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... (1992) Zingalamaduni (1994)

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3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... is the debut album by American hip hop group Arrested Development, released in 1992 (see 1992 in music). The album's chart success was the beginning of the popularization of Southern hip hop. 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... stood in stark contrast to the gangsta rap that ruled the hip hop charts in 1992 (such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic), in its focus on spirituality, peace and love. It was voted as the best album of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll. The album's title refers to the length of time it took Arrested Development to get a record contract.

The song "Tennessee" is part of the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.

Track listing

1. "Man's Final Frontier" – 2:39
2. "Mama's Always on Stage" (Speech) – 3:25
   • Samples "We're Ready" by Buddy Guy and Junior Wells on the album Hoodoo Man Blues
   • "Parents Are People" by Harry Belafonte and Marlo Thomas
3. "People Everyday" (Speech) – 3:26
   • Interpolates "Everyday People" by Sly & the Family Stone & samples "Tappan Zee" by Bob James.
4. "Blues Happy" – 0:45
5. "Mr. Wendal" (Speech) – 4:06
   • Samples "Sing a Simple Song" by Sly & the Family Stone.
6. "Children Play with Earth" – 2:39
7. "Raining Revolution" (Speech) – 3:25
8. "Fishin' 4 Religion" (Speech) – 4:06
9. "Give a Man a Fish" (Headliner/Speech) – 4:22
   • Samples "When It Comes Down to It" by Minnie Riperton
10. "U" (Speech) – 4:59
    • Samples "Mighty Quinn" by Ramsey Lewis
11. "Eve of Reality" – 1:42
12. "Natural" (Speech) – 4:18
    • Samples "Sunshine" by Earth, Wind & Fire.
13. "Dawn of the Dreads" (Speech) – 5:17
14. "Tennessee" (Speech) – 4:32
    • Samples "Alphabet St." by Prince.
15. "Washed Away" (Speech) – 6:24
    • Samples "Thin Line Between Love and Hate" by The Persuaders.
16. "People Everyday [Metamorphosis Mix]" (Speech) – 4:55

Personnel

• Arrested Development  – Arranger
• Baba Oje
• Brother Larry  – Guitar
• Montsho Eshe
• Dionne Farris – Vocals
• Headliner
• Aerle Taree  – Stylist
• Tom Held  – Engineer
• Larry Jackson  – Saxophone
• Terrance Cinque Mason  – Vocals
• Rasa Don
• Sister Paulette  – Vocals
• Speech  – Producer, Executive Producer, Mixing
• Alvin Speights  – Engineer
• Howie Weinberg  – Mastering
• Richard Wells  – Engineer
• Lindsey Williams  – Project Director
• Jeffrey Henson Scales  – Photography
• Matt Still  – Assistant Engineer
• Randall Martin  – Art Direction

Chart positions

Billboard – album

Chart (1992)	Peak position
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums	3
Heatseekers	1
UK Albums Chart	3
Chart (1993)	Peak position
The Billboard 200	7

Billboard – singles

Song	Chart (1992)	Peak position
People Everyday	The Billboard Hot 100	8
People Everyday	Hot Rap Single	1
People Everyday	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	2
Revolution	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	49
Tennessee	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	1
People Everyday	Rhythmic Top 40	2
People Everyday	Hot Dance Music/Club Play	6
Tennessee	Hot Dance Music/Club Play	34
People Everyday	Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales	10
Song	Chart (1993)	Peak position
Mr. Wendal	The Billboard Hot 100	6
Mr. Wendal	Hot Rap Singles	4
Mr. Wendal	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	6
Natural	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	90
Mr. Wendal	Rhythmic Top 40	5
Mr. Wendal	Top 40 Mainstream	10
Mr. Wendal	Hot Dance Music/Club Play	1
Mr. Wendal	Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales	27