"Heaven Knows" | ||||
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Single by Luther Vandross | ||||
from the album Never Let Me Go | ||||
Released | September 7, 1993 (US, Europe) | |||
Recorded | October 1992–February 1993 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 4:26 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Marcus Miller | |||
Luther Vandross singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Heaven Knows" on YouTube |
"Heaven Knows" is a song by American singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released in September 1993 by Epic and Sony as the second single from his eight studio album, Never Let Me Go (1993). The song was written by Vandross with Reed Vertelney and produced by Marcus Miller. It peaked in the top 30 on both the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles and Hot Dance Club Play charts, and also at thirty-three on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Singles chart. [1] "Heaven Knows" was nominated for Best R&B Song alongside "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)" (also from Never Let Me Go) at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in March 1994, losing to "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson.
Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Familiar-sounding midtempo jam from Vandross' current Never Let Me Go collection shows the singer in fine form. Lovely melody and a memorable chorus are laid into retro rhythm that will work best with older audiences. Broader acceptance will come via sparkling dance remixes by Frankie Knuckles and David Morales." [2] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton stated, "One of the few soul artists in the traditional sense to still be having UK hits is Luther Vandross." [3] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it four out of five, naming it "one of the best tracks" of the album. He also complimented the Classic mix, that "is going to sound great on the radio". [4] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described "Heaven Knows" as "creamily flowing". [5]
A music video was produced to promote the single. It features NewsRadio actress Khandi Alexander appearing as one of the backup dancers. The video was later made available on Vandross' official YouTube channel in 2010 and had generated more than a half million views as of September 2021. [6]
Chart (1993) | Peak position |
---|---|
Europe (European Dance Radio) [8] | 7 |
Germany (Official German Charts) [9] | 69 |
UK Singles (OCC) [10] | 34 |
UK Dance ( Music Week ) [11] | 5 |
UK Club Chart ( Music Week ) [12] | 7 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [13] | 94 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [14] | 24 |
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [15] | 33 |
US Cash Box Top 100 [16] | 73 |
"The Best Things in Life Are Free" is a duet between American singers Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson, recorded for the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced soundtrack to the 1992 American film Mo' Money, starring Damon Wayans. The song was composed by Jam, Lewis, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch. The song was released as the soundtrack's lead single on May 12, 1992, by Perspective Records and A&M Records. Additionally, the song was remixed by David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, and CJ Mackintosh. The duet became a major hit in several countries, peaking at number two in Australia and the United Kingdom, number six in Ireland and New Zealand, number eight in Canada and Germany, and number 10 in the United States. Its music video was directed by Paris Barclay, but didn't feature Vandross and Jackson. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
"Endless Love" is a song written by Lionel Richie and originally recorded as a duet between Richie and singer/actress Diana Ross. In this ballad, the singers declare their "endless love" for one another. It was covered by Luther Vandross with R&B-pop singer Mariah Carey, and also by country music singer Shania Twain. Richie's friend Kenny Rogers also recorded the song. Billboard has named the original version as the greatest song duet of all time.
"Tennessee" a song by American hip hop group Arrested Development, released in March 1992 as the first single from their debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... (1992). The song contains a sample of Prince's 1988 hit "Alphabet St.". "Tennessee" peaked at number six in the United States and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1993. The song's music video was directed by Milcho Manchevski. A 2007 poll of VH1 viewers placed the song at number 71 on the list of the "Greatest Songs of the 90s" and is listed as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was also ranked number 78 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop".
"Dreams" is a song by British singer and songwriter Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle and Tim Laws and produced by Richie Fermie for her debut studio album, Find Your Way (1993). Released by Go! Beat and London Records as Gabrielle's debut single, "Dreams" entered the UK Singles Chart at number two, which was the highest chart entry a debut act had obtained in the United Kingdom at that time before reaching number one for three weeks in June 1993. In the United States, the song peaked at numbers 26 and 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, becoming Gabrielle's highest-charting song there. The song's music video was directed by Kate Garner.
"One Night in Heaven" is a song by British band M People, released as their sixth overall single and the first single from their second album, Elegant Slumming (1993). Written by band members Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by the band, the song was released on 14 June 1993 by Deconstruction Records. It was successful in Europe, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart. In Iceland, it reached number five, while peaking at number 26 on the Eurochart Hot 100. Its accompanying music video was filmed in Barcelona, Sitges and Montserrat in Spain.
"Go Away" is a song by Cuban American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan. It was released in April 1993 as the fourth and last single worldwide and third to the United States from her fourth solo album and second compilation, Greatest Hits (1992). The song is much in the style of Estefan's earlier songs with the Miami Sound Machine. It was a club hit throughout Europe and America and was featured in the 1993 film Made in America, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson, and its soundtrack. It reached the UK Top 20 and US Dance Chart Top 5.
"Feeling So Real" is a song by American electronica musician Moby, released on October 1994 by Mute and Elektra, as the second single from the musician's third studio album, Everything Is Wrong (1995). The song features the phrases "sound system rocking my....." and "set it up DJ!" spoken by Kochie Banton, who also appears in Moby's following single, "Everytime You Touch Me". The guest vocalist for the song is Rozz Morehead. It peaked at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart, number nine on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart, and number one on the Finnish Singles Chart. Julie Hermelin directed the song's accompanying music video.
"Next Is the E" is a song by American electronica musician Moby, released in October 1992 as the third single from his self-titled debut album (1992).
"Two Can Play That Game" is a song by American R&B singer-songwriter Bobby Brown from his third album, Bobby (1992). The single release was remixed by K-Klass and originally reached No. 38 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1994. In April 1995, it re-entered the chart, peaking at No. 3. It received positive reviews from music critics and also reached No. 3 in the Netherlands. Additionally, it became a top-20 hit in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, and Italy. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Two Can Play That Game" peaked at No. 10. This version of the song appeared on Brown's remix album of the same name, released later in 1995.
"Going Nowhere" is a song by English singer-songwriter Gabrielle. It was written by her with George McFarlane and produced by Pete Cragie for Gabrielle's debut studio album, Find Your Way (1993). Released as the album's second single on 20 September 1993 by Go! Beat, the song reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 in Ireland. It also peaked at number three on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart and number 14 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.
"The Love I Lost" is a song by American R&B group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Group member Teddy Pendergrass sang lead vocals. Originally written as a ballad by Philly soul songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the song was transformed into a funk song and features drummer Earl Young. It was released from the Black & Blue album in late 1973 and sold more than a million copies. In the 21st century, the track has been the subject of extended re-edits by notable remixers Tom Moulton, Theo Parrish, and Dimitri From Paris.
"Always and Forever" is an R&B song written by Rod Temperton and produced by Barry Blue. It was first recorded by the British-based multinational funk-disco band Heatwave in 1976. Released as a single on December 3, 1977, the song is included on Heatwave's debut album Too Hot to Handle (1976) and has been covered by numerous artists, becoming something of a standard.
"Down That Road" is a song by British singer-songwriter Shara Nelson, released July 1993 on Cooltempo Records as the debut single from her first solo album, What Silence Knows (1993). The song was written by Nelson with Attrell Cordes and produced by Michael Peden. It peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as number one on the European Dance Radio Chart, and also became a top-20 hit on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The accompanying music video sees the singer performing the song on a beach.
"Give It Up" is a song by Dutch musical duo Chocolate Puma performing under the name "the Good Men", or alternatively, "the Goodmen". It samples "Fanfarra (Cabua-Le-Le)" and "Magalenha" by Sérgio Mendes and "I Need You Now" by Sinnamon. Released as Chocolate Puma's debut single on 26 July 1993 in the United Kingdom, the song became a chart hit in 1993, peaking atop the American and Canadian dance charts and reaching the top 10 in several European nations. In 1995, Simply Red sampled "Give It Up" for their UK number-one hit "Fairground".
"Your Secret Love" is a song by American recording artist Luther Vandross, released in August 1996 as the lead single in support of his tenth studio album, Your Secret Love (1996). The single peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)" is a song by American recording artist Luther Vandross. Released in April 1993 by Epic Records, the single supports his platinum and eight album, Never Let Me Go (1993). The song was written by Vandross and Marcus Miller, and produced by them both. It became a top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and reached top 30 on the UK Singles Chart. It also became the most successful single from the album on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number sixty-two. "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)" was nominated for best R&B songwriting at the 36th Grammy Awards in March 1994.
"Pressure" is a song recorded by British techno group Sunscreem, written and produced by band member Paul Carnell and lead singer Lucia Holm for the act's debut album, O3 (1993). Released in 1991 by Sony Soho Square/Epic, it was the group's first single in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 60. It became a major club hit in the United States in wake of the success of "Love U More", where it was released as "Pressure US" with a new remixed version and went to number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for one week in June 1993, their second of three number ones. The re-released version reentered the UK charts afterwards, peaking at number 19 in 1993.
"Shine On" is a song by American house music project Degrees of Motion, featuring vocals by Biti Strauchn and Kit West. It was originally released in July 1992 as a single from their album, Degrees Of Motion (1991), peaking at number 43 on the UK Singles Chart. Following a re-release in March 1994, it charted higher, peaking at number eight on the same listing. It also reached number one on the UK Dance Singles Chart same year.
"Caught in the Middle" is a song by British singer-songwriter Juliet Roberts, originally released in July 1993 by Cooltempo and Slam Jam. In June 1994, the song was re-released as a remix and became a club hit. Written by Roberts with Danny Poku, who also produced the song, it was well received among music critics, reaching number-one on both the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and the UK Music Week Dance Singles chart, where it peaked atop both in 1993 and 1994. Additionally, the single peaked at number 14 in the UK, and number 31 in Scotland, while on the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 43. "Caught in the Middle" was included on her debut album, Natural Thing (1994), and it won the Record Mirror Club Cut of the Year honour at the 1994 Music Week Awards.
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