"Portrait (He Knew)" | ||||
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Single by Kansas | ||||
from the album Point of Know Return | ||||
B-side | "Lightning's Hand" | |||
Released | May 1978 [1] | |||
Recorded | 1977 | |||
Genre | Progressive rock, Hard rock | |||
Length | 4:30 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh | |||
Kansas singles chronology | ||||
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"Portrait (He Knew)" is a song by the American progressive rock band Kansas. It was written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh and was recorded for the band's fifth album, Point of Know Return . The song was also released as a single after the success of "Point of Know Return" and "Dust in the Wind" and charted at #64 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later released on the live and compilation albums Two for the Show , Live at the Whisky , Device, Voice, Drum , The Kansas Boxed Set , The Ultimate Kansas , Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection , Works in Progress , and Playlist: The Very Best of Kansas . It appears in a number of different mixes and lengths: the original album version, the edited single version, a different single edit that appears as a bonus track on the European-only 1999 compilation Definitive Collection, and a new remix by the original producers Jeff Glixman as a bonus track on the CD remaster of its original parent album. It was also released on the DVDs of Device, Voice, Drum and Works in Progress. [2] [3] [4] [5]
The inspiration for the song came from Kerry Livgren's admiration for Albert Einstein. He wrote the lyrics in a time when he was going through a spiritual transitional phase in his life, and after converting to Christianity, he re-recorded the song with his band AD, modifying the lyrics to make them fit the story of Jesus Christ and retitling the song "Portrait II".
Billboard described "Portrait (He Knew)" as "a rivieting, snarling rock number which winds up in a frenzied rock climax." [6] Cash Box said that "a strong bobbing beat provides a romping backdrop for the excellent and melodic singing." [7] Record World said that it "continues the serious – some would say religious – lyrical concerns of the hit 'Dust In The Wind,' but returns to Kansas' more familiar, rocking style." [8] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Eduardo Rivadavia rated "Portrait (He Knew)" as Kansas' 8th greatest song, saying it "exemplifies the sort of cerebral subject matter that inspired the group at the start of its career." [9] I Love Classic Rock rated as one of the "Top 10 Kansas Songs Everyone Should Hear At Least Once In Their Lives" and said that it "tackles the subject of the mind, which spurred on to fan the interests of the band in its earlier years." [10]
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Hot 100 [11] | 64 |
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [12] | 62 |
Kansas is an American rock band that formed in 1973 in Topeka, Kansas, and became popular during the decade initially on album-oriented rock charts and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind". The band has produced nine gold albums, three multi-platinum albums, one other platinum studio album (Monolith), one platinum live double album, and a million-selling single, "Dust in the Wind". Kansas appeared on the US Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the 1970s and 1980s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. "Carry On Wayward Son" was the second-most-played track on US classic rock radio in 1995 and No. 1 in 1997.
Kerry Allen Livgren is an American musician, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the American rock band Kansas.
Point of Know Return is the fifth studio album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1977. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2002.
Leftoverture is the fourth studio album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1976. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2001. It was the band's first album to be certified by the RIAA, and remains their highest selling album, having been certified 5 times platinum in the United States.
Two for the Show is the first live album by American progressive rock band Kansas, released in 1978. The album was recorded over the course of the band's three previous tours in 1977 and 1978. It was certified Gold and then Platinum shortly after its release. In 2008, a remastered and expanded edition was released to commemorate the album's 30th anniversary.
Monolith is the sixth studio album by American progressive rock band Kansas, released in 1979. The album reached No. 10 on the Billboard album charts, marking their third straight studio album to reach the top ten.
Device – Voice – Drum is a live DVD by American rock band Kansas, released in 2002. The same concert was released as an enhanced double-CD live album. The CD release features the enhanced live track, "Distant Vision".
"Carry On Wayward Son" is a song by American rock band Kansas, released on their 1976 studio album, Leftoverture. Written by guitarist Kerry Livgren, the song became the band's first Top 40 hit, reaching No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977.
"Dust in the Wind" is a song recorded by American progressive rock band Kansas and written by band member Kerry Livgren, first released on their 1977 album Point of Know Return.
The Kansas Boxed Set is the third compilation from the band Kansas. It was originally released in 1994, and was the band's first boxed set overview. It focuses solely on the original line-up of the band, from their first album in 1974 to Audio-Visions in 1980. It also includes a new track "Wheels". The release was supervised by all the original band members, unlike the first release of The Best of Kansas in 1984.
Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection is the fifth compilation from the band Kansas, originally released in 2004. Along with two CDs that include tracks from each one of the band's studio albums, the compilation also includes a 16-track companion DVD which features numerous television appearances, videos, and live recordings. The title Sail On comes from a lyric in the band's 1975 song "Icarus ", which is included in the collection.
The Ultimate Kansas is the fourth compilation from the band Kansas. It was originally released in 2002, and focuses solely on their Kirshner period from their debut album Kansas in 1974, up to and including Drastic Measures in 1983. The collection was rereleased in 2008 under the title Essential Kansas 3.0 as part of the Sony/BMG Legacy series of that name, with an additional "bonus disc" with seven additional songs, and featuring "eco-friendly" packaging.
"Need Your Loving Tonight" is a song by the rock band Queen and written by bass guitarist John Deacon. It is the fourth track on the first side of their 1980 album The Game and the second song on the album by Deacon. It was released as a single in some countries in November 1980.
"Play the Game Tonight" is a progressive rock single recorded by Kansas for their 1982 album Vinyl Confessions. It managed to chart at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the 15th single, 10th top 100 hit, sixth top 40 hit, and the third of four Top 20 hits produced by Kansas.
"Wishful Sinful" is a song by American rock band the Doors. Group guitarist Robby Krieger wrote the tune, which was first released in March 1969 as a single, as well as on the band's fourth album, The Soft Parade, later in July. "Wishful Sinful" follows the general theme of the album by incorporating elements of classical music.
"Song for America" is the title track from the second album of American progressive rock band Kansas. It was written by guitarist/keyboardist Kerry Livgren during the period of heavy touring for their first album. The song was released on their 1975 album Song for America, and later released as the band's third single, although it did not chart. It is known for its symphonic structure, and its lyrics showing America's state before and after colonization. The song is one of Kansas' most well-known songs from their period of obscurity, appearing on most of their collections, live albums and DVDs.
"Point of Know Return" is a song by the progressive rock band Kansas written by Steve Walsh (lyrics), Robby Steinhardt, and Phil Ehart for their 1977 album Point of Know Return.
"People of the South Wind" is a progressive rock single recorded by Kansas and written by Kerry Livgren for their 1979 album Monolith.
"Hold On" is a single by the progressive rock band Kansas. It was the band's 13th single, eighth top 100 hit, and fifth top 40 hit, peaking at number 40. The song was first released on the 1980 album Audio-Visions, which was the last album recorded with the original band before Steve Walsh left. The song was written by Kerry Livgren to try to convince his wife to convert to Christianity along with him, which proved successful and the couple have remained active in their faith ever since. It was further re-released on several compilation and live albums, including The Best of Kansas, The Kansas Boxed Set, The Ultimate Kansas, Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection, Live at the Whisky, and the CD/DVD combos of Device, Voice, Drum, Works in Progress, and There's Know Place Like Home. An orchestral version of the song appears on the album Always Never the Same, recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra.
"The Wall" is a song written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh that was first released on Kansas' 1976 album Leftoverture. It was subsequently released on several of the band's live and compilation albums.