Welsh-born Amie Ann Duffy studied music production in Warrington and was later encouraged to pursue a career as a singer at Chester University.

She did this modestly at first by performing at local jazz clubs in Chester, where she was inspired to participate in Wawffactor, S4C’s TV talent show. Even though she finished second there, we haven’t heard anything from the winner (Lisa Pedrick). Duffy in turn recorded the EP Aimée Duffy (2004). Three years later he signed with A&M Records where he was working on his debut album.

His debut single, Rockferry, was a modest hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number 45. The follow-up meant his breakthrough worldwide. Duffy may not have scored his biggest hits outside of Europe with Mercy; in Europe it was a ubiquitous hit with top 5 listings on almost all European charts. In the Top 40 Mercy was number 1 for two weeks. The song was co-written by Steve Booker who had previously composed songs for Stevie Nicks, Jack Savoretti and the Sugababes, among others. Mercy was one of the last songs they composed for Duffy’s debut album, Rockferry, which would be released in March 2008. While finishing the album, the two felt the album was not finished and soon came the songs Stepping Stone and Mercy. Mercy ended up earning Duffy a nomination at the Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance by a Female. As best newcomer, a category in which he was also nominated, he sees Adele as the winner. Rockferry is indeed included in the award at the Grammy Awards as the best pop album.

Duffy’s musical career was surprisingly short and intense. All four of his Top 40 hits are from Rockferry’s debut album. His second shot, Warwick Avenue, was still the best by taking 19th place. For the follow-up to her debut album, Relentless, she mainly worked with Albert Hammond, the man who managed to produce eight Top 40 hits in our country between 1972 and 1986. The album was far from good. In the UK only Well, Well, Well was released as a single, where we also presented I’m Keeping My Baby in our country. Both songs jammed at the Tipparade. Duffy announced a hiatus in 2011, saying he would not begin work on a third album for another two years.

In 2015, Duffy was seen in the film Legend where he played singer Tim Yuro.