So Natural (song)

"So Natural" was a notable hit on the charts in Europe, entering the top 20 in the UK. The song peaked at number 15 in its first week on the UK Singles Chart on 17 October 1993.^[3] It stayed at that position for two weeks, before dropping to number 31 and then leaving the UK Top 40. "So Natural" also peaked at numbers seven and 20 on the Music Week Dance Singles and Airplay charts, and was a top-20 hit in both Italy (25) and Spain (25). Additionally, the single entered the top 40 in Iceland (36), as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked at number 38 in November same year. It also was a top-70 hit in Germany, while outside Europe, it charted in Australia, peaking within the top 70 also there (69).

Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard complimented the song as "quite nice".^[4] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton stated, "It's her tenth Top 20 hit in all and a natural Top Tenner for next week I would say."^[5] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that "what Marvin requested, Lisa delivers. She seduces the lyrics in an almost underplayed way, only to see the slow rhythm teasingly broken by a vintage Barry White bridge."^[6] In a separate review, they also described it as "sophisticated" and "sensual".^[7] Alan Jones from Music Week gave it four out of five, praising it as "another slow sophisticated track [that] provides a warm showcase for the exceptional Stansfield voice".^[8] R.S. Murthi from New Straits Times felt that the singer-songwriter "acquits herself with style and grace" on tunes like "So Natural".^[9]

Retrospectively, Quentin Harrison from Albumism stated that the song "emphasizes Stansfield’s rich, honeyed tone; the plush arrangement recalls the pinnacle of early-to-mid ‘70s soul."^[10] In an 2015 review, Pop Rescue noted that "her breathy, soulful vocals, usher in this gentle ballad", and declared it as "a perfect showcase of her rich vocals".^[11]

The accompanying music video for "So Natural" was directed by German feature film director and producer Marcus Nispel. It was later made available on Stansfield's official YouTube channel in 2009.^[12]