If You Don't Know Me by Now

Last updated
"If You Don't Know Me by Now"
If You Don't Know Me By Now by Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes US single side-A variant A.png
One of side-A labels of the US single
Single by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
from the album I Miss You
B-side "Let Me Into Your World"
ReleasedSeptember 11, 1972 [1]
Studio Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genre
Length3:27
Label Philadelphia International Records
Songwriter(s) Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Producer(s) Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes singles chronology
"I Miss You"
(1972)		"If You Don't Know Me by Now"
(1972)		"Yesterday I Had the Blues"
(1973)
Music video
"If You Don't Know Me by Now" on YouTube

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and recorded by the Philadelphia soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. It became their first hit after being released as a single in September 1972, topping the US R&B chart and peaking at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [4]

Contents

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" was originally written for Labelle (a trio led by Patti LaBelle) but they never recorded it. The song's composers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff gave it to Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, which featured Teddy Pendergrass as lead vocalist, and the actual background vocals done by producers Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Carl Helm, and Bunny Sigler. In addition to the single release, the track was included on their debut album, I Miss You .

Patti LaBelle later made the song part of her concert repertoire in 1982; a live version appears on her 1985 album, Patti.

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" has since been recorded by a number of other artists, most notably the English pop and soul band Simply Red, who took their version to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.

The song "If You Don’t Know Me By Now" was chosen as one of the "Songs of the Century" by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [5]

Charts

Simply Red version

"If You Don't Know Me by Now"
If you don't know me by now.jpg
Single by Simply Red
from the album A New Flame
B-side "Move On Out"
ReleasedMarch 27, 1989 (1989-03-27)
Genre
Length3:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Stewart Levine
Simply Red singles chronology
"It's Only Love"
(1989)		"If You Don't Know Me by Now"
(1989)		"A New Flame"
(1989)
Music video
"If You Don't Know Me by Now" on YouTube

Simply Red's version of "If You Don't Know Me by Now", recorded for their third studio album A New Flame , was a commercial success in 1989, giving the band their second US number one and also topping the charts of Australia and New Zealand; in the latter country, it was the best-selling single of 1989. On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at number two, becoming the band's second top-10 hit in their home country. This version won the Grammy Award for the Best R&B Song of 1989. [15] The single's music video, filmed in London, was directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton. [16]

According to the producer, Stewart Levine, he did not want too much orchestration on the record, and went with a two-part harmony instead of a three-part harmony. Mick Hucknall admitted he loved Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' version, and stated he danced to their music when he was 13. [17]

Critical reception

Jerry Smith from Music Week wrote, "Top-notch purveyors of smooth soul, Simply Red deliver this excellent version of the old Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes classic, lifted from their already platinum-selling A New Flame LP. As a follow-up to their 'It's Only Love' hit, it's a sure fire winner. Expect mass exposure." [12]

Track listings

  1. "If You Don't Know Me by Now" – 3:23
  2. "Move On Out" (recorded live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 5:18
  1. "If You Don't Know Me by Now" – 3:23
  2. "Move On Out" (recorded live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 5:18
  3. "Shine" (recorded live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 3:30
  1. "If You Don't Know Me by Now" – 3:23
  2. "Move On Out" (recorded live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 5:18
  3. "Shine" (recorded live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 3:30
  4. "Sugar Daddy" – 3:30

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [38] Gold35,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [50] Gold45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [51] Gold5,000*
Sweden (GLF) [52] Gold25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [53] Gold400,000‡
United States (RIAA) [54] Gold500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United KingdomMarch 27, 1989
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [55]
May 1, 1989
  • 10-inch vinyl
  • mini-CD
 [56]
JapanMay 25, 1989Mini-CD [57]

Other versions

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't You Want Me</span> 1981 single by the Human League

"Don't You Want Me" is a song by British synth-pop group the Human League. It was released on 27 November 1981 as the fourth single from their third studio album, Dare (1981). The band's best known and most commercially successful song, it was the best selling UK single of 1981, that year's Christmas number one, and has since sold over 1,560,000 copies in the UK, making it the 23rd-most successful single in UK Singles Chart history. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US on 3 July 1982, where it stayed for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Air That I Breathe</span> 1972 song by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood

"The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by the British-Gibraltarian singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and the English songwriter Mike Hazlewood. It was initially recorded by Hammond on his debut album, It Never Rains in Southern California (1972). After being covered by Phil Everly in 1973, it was a major hit for the Hollies in early 1974, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart. It was the Hollies' last major hit. The English rock band Radiohead reused the chord progression and melody of "The Air That I Breathe" for their 1992 song "Creep".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 (Prince song)</span> 1982 single by Prince

"1999" is a song by American musician Prince, the title track from his 1982 album of the same name. Originally peaking at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100, a mid-1983 re-release later reached number 12 in the US, while a January 1985 rerelease, a double A-side with "Little Red Corvette", later peaked at number 2 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't You (Forget About Me)</span> 1985 single by Simple Minds

"Don't You (Forget About Me)" is a song by the Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released as a single in 1985. It was written and composed by the record producer Keith Forsey and the guitarist Steve Schiff for the film The Breakfast Club (1985). Simple Minds initially declined to record it, preferring to record their own material, but accepted after several other acts also declined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something Got Me Started</span> 1991 single by Simply Red

"Something Got Me Started" is a song by British soul and pop band Simply Red, released in September 1991 by East West Records as the first single from their fourth album, Stars (1991). It was released in several forms: a 7-inch single, a 12-inch single, and a CD single, that includes a remix by Perfecto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Don't Know Me (Armand Van Helden song)</span> 1999 single by Armand van Helden

"You Don't Know Me" is a song by American record producer Armand van Helden featuring vocals from American singer Duane Harden. It was released on January 25, 1999, as the lead single from his third studio album, 2 Future 4 U. The creation of the song came about when Helden created a looping track composed of several music samples and left Harden to write and record the lyrics alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please Don't Go (KC and the Sunshine Band song)</span> 1979 single by KC and the Sunshine Band

"Please Don't Go" is a song written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, then members of KC and the Sunshine Band, and released as the second single from the band's sixth album, Do You Wanna Go Party (1979). Cover versions of the song that reached the top songs charts were recorded by Double You (1992), KWS (1992), and Basshunter (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Wanna Lose You</span> 1989 single by Gloria Estefan

"Don't Wanna Lose You" is a song by Cuban-American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan, released on June 21, 1989, as the first single by Epic Records from her debut solo album, Cuts Both Ways (1989). The song is written by Estefan and produced by her husband, Emilio Estefan, Jr. It reached #1 in the US on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Cash Box Top 100 and was also certified Gold.

"Don't Know Much" is a song written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil and Tom Snow. Mann was the first to record the song in 1980, gaining a minor chart hit in the US. The song was made famous when it was covered as a duet by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville in 1989. Their version was a worldwide success, topping the Irish Singles Chart and reaching the top 10 in several territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blame It on the Rain</span> 1989 single by Milli Vanilli

"Blame It on the Rain" is a song written by Diane Warren and performed by the German dance-pop group Milli Vanilli. It was released as a new track from the group's North American debut album, Girl You Know It's True (1989), and did not appear on All or Nothing (1988), their debut album in other regions. An extended remix of the song did appear on The U.S.-Remix Album: All or Nothing (1989), which served to release the new tracks included on Girl You Know It's True that did not appear on All or Nothing outside of North America.

<i>A New Flame</i> 1989 studio album by Simply Red

A New Flame is the third album by British pop and soul group Simply Red, released in February 1989. It was a huge success worldwide, becoming the band's first UK number one album and certified 7× Platinum by the BPI for sales of 2,100,000 copies in the UK alone. The album was also certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Asked Me To</span> 1989 single by Patti LaBelle

"If You Asked Me To" is a song written by American songwriter Diane Warren and produced by Stewart Levine and Aaron Zigman. It was originally recorded by American singer Patti LaBelle for her ninth studio album, Be Yourself (1989), and also for the soundtrack to the James Bond film Licence to Kill. The song was released as the soundtrack's second single on June 12, 1989 by MCA Records. The lyrics are from the point of view of a woman who pleads to her significant other: "If you asked me to, I just might change my mind, and let you in my life forever". Three years later, Canadian singer Celine Dion covered the song for her 1992 self-titled second English-language studio album. Released as the album's second single, Dion's version topped the Canadian charts and peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Make Me Over (song)</span> 1962 single by Dionne Warwick

"Don't Make Me Over" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, originally recorded by American singer Dionne Warwick in August 1962 and released in October 1962 as her lead solo single from her debut album, Presenting Dionne Warwick (1963), issued under Sceptor Records. The song reached number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Ask Me Why (Eurythmics song)</span> 1989 single by Eurythmics

"Don't Ask Me Why" is a song recorded by British pop music duo Eurythmics, released as the second single from their seventh album, We Too Are One (1989). The song was written by bandmembers Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and produced by Stewart with Jimmy Iovine. In the US, it was released as the first single from the album. It is a lush pop song with melancholy and bitter lyrics which describe the ending of a love relationship. In it Lennox tells the subject "don't ask me why / I don't love you any more / I don't think I ever did".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Have You Seen Her</span> 1971 single by the Chi-Lites

"Have You Seen Her" is a song by American soul vocal group the Chi-Lites, released on Brunswick Records in 1971. Composed by the lead singer Eugene Record and Barbara Acklin, the song was included on the group's 1971 album (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People.

"Don't Leave Me This Way" is a song written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert. It was originally released in 1975 by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass, an act signed to Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label. "Don't Leave Me This Way" was subsequently covered by American singer Thelma Houston in 1976 and British duo the Communards in 1986, with both versions achieving commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me</span> 1974 single by Elton John

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is a song with music written by English musician Elton John and lyrics by songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was originally recorded by John for his eighth studio album, Caribou (1974), and was released as a single that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To Love Somebody (song)</span> 1967 single by Bee Gees

"To Love Somebody" is a song written by Barry and Robin Gibb. Produced by Robert Stigwood, it was the second single released by the Bee Gees from their international debut album, Bee Gees 1st, in 1967. The single reached No. 17 in the United States and No. 41 in the United Kingdom. The song's B-side was "Close Another Door". The single was reissued in 1980 on RSO Records with "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" as its flipside. The song ranked at number 94 on NME magazine's "100 Best Tracks of the Sixties". The entry was a minor hit in France but reached the top 10 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wake Up Everybody (Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes song)</span> 1975 single by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

"Wake Up Everybody" is an R&B song written by John Whitehead, Gene McFadden and Victor Carstarphen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Love I Lost</span> 1973 single by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

"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.

References

  1. ↑ "Harold Melvin And The Bluenotes - If You Don't Know Me By Now". 45cat.com. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Breihan, Tom (July 30, 2021). "The Number Ones: Simply Red's "If You Don't Know Me By Now". Stereogum . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  3. ↑ Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (October 15, 1996). "The Sound of Philadelphia: Philly Soul". Precious and Few - Pop Music in the Early '70s. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 52. ISBN   031214704X.
  4. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 393.
  5. ↑ "Songs of the Century". CNN. March 7, 2001. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. December 23, 1972. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  7. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. January 13, 1973. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  9. ↑ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  10. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 12/02/72". Cashboxmagazine.com. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1973". Tropicalglen.com. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  12. 1 2 Smith, Jerry (April 8, 1989). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 21. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ Smith, Troy L. (May 13, 2021). "Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com . Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  14. ↑ Gibbs, Ryan (November 15, 2022). "An introduction to Sophisti-pop". In Between Drafts. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Winners - 32nd Annual GRAMMY Awards (1989)". Recording Academy. November 28, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Video Track". Billboard . Vol. 101, no. 19. May 13, 1989. p. 54.
  17. ↑ Bronson, Fred (1992). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits . Billboard Publications. p.  736. ISBN   0-8230-8298-9.
  18. ↑ "Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  19. ↑ "Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  20. ↑ "Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  21. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6417." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  22. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6438." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  23. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 17. April 29, 1989. p. 30. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in French). Les classement single.
  25. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Irish Singles Chart.
  26. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  27. ↑ "Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  28. ↑ "Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Top 40 Singles.
  29. ↑ "Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". VG-lista.
  30. ↑ "Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Singles Top 100.
  31. ↑ "Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Swiss Singles Chart.
  32. ↑ "Simply Red: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  33. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . July 15, 1989. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Adult Contemporary". Billboard. June 24, 1989. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" . Billboard. July 29, 1989. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles: July 15, 1989". Cash Box . Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  38. 1 2 "1989 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA . Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1989" (in German). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM . Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 1989" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. 6. OCLC   29800226 . Retrieved January 17, 2020– via World Radio History.
  43. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1989". Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  45. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1989". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Year-End Charts '89 – Top 100 Singles". Music Week . London, England: Spotlight Publications. March 3, 1990. p. 16.
  47. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1989". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1989". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  51. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  52. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  53. ↑ "British single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  54. ↑ "American single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  55. ↑ "Fat's the Way to Do It". Record Mirror . March 25, 1989. p. 4. Simply Red release their single 'If You Don't Know Me By Now' on March 27.
  56. ↑ "New Singles". Music Week . April 29, 1989. p. 43.
  57. ↑ "二人の絆 | シンプリー・レッド" [The Bond Between Two People | Simply Red] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  58. ↑ "Zap Pow – Wild Honey / If You Don't Know Me By Now". Discogs. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  59. ↑ Trust, Gary (April 15, 2009). "Chart Beat: Rascal Flatts, Seal, Eminem". Billboard . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  60. ↑ "Grammy Awards 2010 Winners & Nominees". People . January 31, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  61. ↑ "Uniek hitrecord voor Ben Saunders". Entertainment Business (in Dutch). December 20, 2010.
  62. ↑ "Which David Brent song hits do you want to hear?". The Guardian . October 2, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  63. ↑ Dauphin, Chuck (December 13, 2013). "Martina McBride Sets 'Everlasting' Album". Billboard . Retrieved January 15, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.