"Mea Culpa (Part II)" is a song by German musical project Enigma. It was released in April 1991 as the second of four singles from their debut album, MCMXC a.D. (1990). Like their previous single "Sadeness (Part I)", it is sung in French and Latin, though "Mea Culpa (Part II)" also has a line in English, "The time has come". It was the project's second top ten hit in their native Germany, reaching number seven, as well as reaching the top ten in Belgium, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. However, it failed to match the success of "Sadeness (Part I)" in many other countries, reaching number 20 in Ireland, number 59 in Canada and number 55 in both Australia and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the single failed to chart on the Billboard Hot, but reached number seven on the dance chart. The accompanying music video for the song received heavy rotation on MTV Europe.[1]

"Mea Culpa (Part II)"
Single by Enigma
from the album MCMXC a.D.
B-side"Communion: O sacrum convivium"
Released17 April 1991
Recorded1990
GenreNew age
Length4:30
LabelVirgin / EMI
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Michael Cretu
Enigma singles chronology
"Sadeness (Part I)"
(1990)
"Mea Culpa (Part II)"
(1991)
"Principles of Lust"
(1991)
Music video
"Mea Culpa" on YouTube
A Gregorian Kyrie from the mass XI (Orbis Factor) used in Mea Culpa.

Critical reception edit

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Follow-up to the mega hit Sadeness Part I: this time there's also the choice of a Catholic mix. How long do we have to wait until Pope John-Paul II takes action?"[2]

Track listings edit

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Country Certification Date Sales certified
France[24] Silver 1991 125,000

References edit

  1. ^ "Station Reports > TV > MTV/London" (PDF). Music & Media. March 9, 1991. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. March 16, 1991. p. 10. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  3. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  4. ^ "Enigma – Mea Culpa Part II" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  5. ^ "Enigma – Mea Culpa Part II" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  6. ^ "Canada peak". Archived from the original on 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  7. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. April 27, 1991. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  8. ^ "Enigma – Mea Culpa Part II" (in French). Les classement single.
  9. ^ "Enigma – Mea Culpa Part II" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  10. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. March 30, 1991. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  11. ^ "Irish Singles Chart – Search for song". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  12. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 4, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Enigma".
  13. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Enigma" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  14. ^ "Enigma – Mea Culpa Part II" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  15. ^ "Enigma – Mea Culpa Part II". Top 40 Singles.
  16. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. April 27, 1991. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  17. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  18. ^ "Enigma – Mea Culpa Part II". Singles Top 100.
  19. ^ "Enigma – Mea Culpa Part II". Swiss Singles Chart.
  20. ^ UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved March 28, 2008)
  21. ^ a b Billboard Billboard.com (Retrieved March 28, 2008)
  22. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. 8 (51–52): 21. December 21, 1991. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via American Radio History.
  23. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  24. ^ French certifications Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved August 28, 2008)