Sarah Washington (born Sarah Warwick) is a British pop, electronic dance and hi-NRG singer. Before branching out as a solo artist, under her real name she was lead singer in the jazzy house-pop group 'Souled Out' (earlier known as 'Sold Out'). This included an album (The Magic Of The Language Of Music In Effect, 1991) and several well received singles by the dance community. Later in the 1990s after a name change to Washington, she had four singles reach the UK Singles Chart. [1] She is probably most known for her dance-cover of "I Will Always Love You" which was released in 1993. It peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, number 15 in Ireland and number three in Spain. Later same year, she recorded a dance version of the George Michael hit "Careless Whisper" that peaked at number 45 in the UK. Almighty Records released an updated version of the song with new versions in 2012.
In 1996, after Washington got signed under major label AM:PM, the singles "Heaven" and "Everything" reached numbers 28 and 30, respectively. [2] "Heaven" also spent one week at number 50 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in July 1996. [3] An album was also recorded at this time but remained unreleased until 2019-almost 25 years after it was recorded. The album titled 'Home To My Thoughts' contains 18 tracks and is currently only available to purchase/stream in digital download form.
Working with Stereolove, Australian DJ James Fraser, a new recording of "Heaven" was released on 5 February 2013. [4]
She has also appeared in the Eurodance compilation Dancemania series including Dancemania Speed 2 . [5]
See also main article "I Will Always Love You" (Sarah Washington version)
Chart (1993) | Peak position |
---|---|
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [6] | 44 |
Ireland (IRMA) [7] | 15 |
Spain (AFYVE) | 3 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [8] | 32 |
UK Singles (OCC) | 12 |
Chart (1993–1994) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [9] | 78 |
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [10] | 90 |
Ireland (IRMA) [7] | 20 |
UK Singles (OCC) | 45 |
UK Airplay (ERA) [11] | 86 |
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "While on the AM:PM tip, be sure to check out Sarah Washington's uplifting vocal on the gospel-touched "Heaven", which sports meaty beats courtesy of Jazz'n'Groove." [12] Daniel Booth from Melody Maker said, "Dance at its most volcanic. More insistent than Eskimos & Egypt. Handbag meets House in a fountain of noise. Think Benidorm, think Ibiza, think the golden glow of a Friday night and the intoxication of a Saturday night. You could chew this tune till your gums bleed." [13]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Speaking of AM:PM, sprint to your fave import shop for a copy of "Everything" by Sarah Washington. It's essential to the collection of any disciple of fierce house divas. There are mixes to suit nearly every frame of mind or body, thanks to Farley & Heller, Mood II Swing, Mark Mendoza, Hippie Torales, and A&G Division." [17] Daisy & Havoc from Music Week's RM Dance Update rated "Everything" four out of five. They added, "AM:PM continues its winning streak with this enormous vocal track, the follow-up to 'Heaven'. In fact, we prefer this to its predecessor — it's not the most original record you'll ever hear but the song is good and extremely catchy and the production by Tom Fredrikse and A&G Division (Marc Auerbach and Ian Green) is all very classy and interesting." [18]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Chart (1998) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles (OCC) | 88 |
Grace was a 1990s British dance music act, consisting of the DJs Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne and the jazz singer Dominique Atkins. The group's first single, "Not Over Yet", had lead and backing vocals by the original frontwoman Patti Low. Atkins recorded her own lead vocals for "Not Over Yet" when it was included as the first track on the group's only album If I Could Fly.
"U Sure Do" is a song by British dance music group Strike. Released in December 1994 by Fresh Records, it was their second single and reached number 31 in the UK charts. The song was a big UK club hit and after receiving regular play in clubs throughout 1994/1995 it was re-released and re-entered the chart in April 1995, reaching number four. It also peaked at number-one on the UK Dance Singles Chart. In 1997, it was featured on the group's only album, I Saw the Future.
"You Never Love the Same Way Twice" is a song by Zambian-born singer Rozalla, released in October 1994 by Epic Records as the third single from her second album, Look No Further (1995), and later also included on her Best Of album. The song reached number 12 on the Scottish Singles Chart and number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, during a five-week chart run. It was a minor hit in Germany and Iceland, and peaked at number 61 on the Eurochart Hot 100 in November 1994. The single was also released in the United States in 1995 as the attendant single of the US edition of her second album, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In 2005, Rozalla re-recorded and re-released the track for a German label.
"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.
"Melody of Love (Wanna Be Loved)" is a song by American singer and songwriter Donna Summer. It was released on October 31, 1994 by Mercury Records and Casablanca Records as a new track and the lead single for her 1994 hits compilation album, Endless Summer: Donna Summer's Greatest Hits. The song was written by Summer, David Cole, Robert Clivillés and Joe Carrano, and produced by Summer and Welcome Productions. It just missed the top 20 in the United Kingdom and was a top-40 hit in Belgium. The song was formed with several remixes and was her tenth number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In Australia, the single peaked at number 79 in December 1994. It was awarded the ASCAP Dance Song of the Year prize in 1996.
"Dub-I-Dub" is the debut single by Danish Eurodance duo Me & My, released in August 1995 from their eponymous album (1995). It was successful on the charts in many countries, peaking at number-one in Denmark and Japan, and being a top 10 hit in Belgium, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Sweden.
"Crying in the Rain" is a song recorded by German Eurodance band Culture Beat, released on 12 February 1996 by Dance Pool as the second single from their third studio album, Inside Out (1995).. It was co-written by band members Tania Evans and Jay Supreme with Doug Laurent and Robert Gerding, and produced by Laurent. The single charted in many countries, reaching its best chart positions in Hungary, Germany and Denmark, where it was a top-10 hit. "Crying in the Rain" also reached number-one on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart. The music video for the song was directed by Oliver Sommer and filmed in Hong Kong, China. A CD maxi-single containing remixes was also released under the name "Crying in the Rain Remixes".
"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. "Heaven Knows" was nominated for Best R&B Song alongside "Little Miracles " at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in March 1994, losing to "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson.
"Luv 4 Luv" is a song by American singer Robin S., released on 19 July 1993 by Champion, Big Beat and ZYX as the second single from the singer's debut album, Show Me Love (1993). The song was written by Allen George and Fred McFarlane, and was Robin S.'s second number one on the US dance chart, where it spent one week at the top. On other US charts, the song peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 54 on the Cash Box Top 100. Overseas, "Luv 4 Luv" reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and number 24 in Ireland. A black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single, featuring Robin S. performing at a self-service laundry. "Luv 4 Luv" was re-released in the UK in 2003 but only lasted one week on the chart, peaking at number 78.
"Joy" is the debut single by British house music studio project Staxx, assembled by producers Simon Thorne and Tom Jones. It was released in 1993 and features British singer Carol Leeming, becoming a number-one hit on both the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart. On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at number 25. In 1997, the song was re-released in a new remix, reaching number 14 in the UK. The accompanying music video was directed by British director Lindy Heymann, featuring Leeming and two female dancers performing in an empty swimming pool.
"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.
"That Look" is a song by American house-music group De'Lacy featuring vocals by lead vocalist Rainie Lassiter, and was released in 1996. Kevin Hedge and Josh Milan wrote the lyrics, which was published by Warner Chappell Music Ltd., and Blaze helmed the production. It was a sizeable hit in clubs in both the UK and US, and charted at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, but fared better on the UK Dance Chart, reaching number two. In Italy, the single was a top 30 hit, while on the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 41 in September 1996. In the US, it peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. A music video was also produced to promote the single.
"I'm Alive" is the debut single was released on 2 September 1996 by London-based DJ/producers Stretch Silvester and Jules Vern under the name Stretch & Vern. Containing a looped sample from "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire, it was well received by music critics, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number-one on the UK Dance Chart. Released by FFRR and London Records, it was also featured on Coca-Cola advert campaigns. In other European countries, the song peaked at number 21 in Ireland, number 23 in the Netherlands and number 29 in Sweden, where it also topped the Swedish Dance chart. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 16 in September 1996. Outside Europe, the single peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US and at number 65 in Australia.
"Ultra Flava" is a house song by British duo Heller and Farley Project. After the wide renown with their remix of Ultra Naté's "How Long" in 1994 and M People's "Open Your Heart" in 1995, they released it as a single in 1996. It is a slightly re-worked version of their mix of "How Long", without Naté's vocals. They entitled it "Ultra Flava" as a nod to the track's origins. It was a huge club hit and peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart, while reaching number-one on the UK Dance Singles Chart. In the US, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. A black-and-white music video was also produced to promote the single.
"Light My Fire" is a song by Italian musical group Club House, featuring Italian-American singer Carl Fanini, released as the second single from their debut and only album, Nowhere Land (1995), in August 1993. It was co-written by a number of producers at Media Records, including Gianfranco Bortolotti and Mauro Picotto, a DJ who would go on to have a number of trance hits in the 2000s, such as "Lizard" and "Komodo".
"Open Your Mind" is a song by Italian electronic music group U.S.U.R.A., released as the debut single and title track from the group's only album, Open Your Mind (1993). Released in 1993 through Italian Style in Italy and through Deconstruction Records across the rest of Europe and Australia, it samples the song "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" by Scottish band Simple Minds.
"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.
"Independence" is a song recorded by Scottish singer and songwriter Lulu. It was released in 1993 by Dome, Parlophone and SBK as the first single from her eleventh album by the same name (1993), and was by many seen as the singer's comeback, after not releasing new material since 1982. The song was written by Leon Ware and Winston Sela, and produced by Cary Baylis, Eliot Kennedy and Mike Ward. It became a hit in both Europe and the US, peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart, number 34 on the Eurochart Hot 100 and number three on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song received remixes by Brothers In Rhythm, C.J. Mackintosh and Tony Humphries, and a music video was also produced to promote the single.
"Caught in the Middle" is a song by British singer-songwriter Juliet Roberts, originally released in July 1993 by Cooltempo Records 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.
"I Want You" is a song by English singer-songwriter Juliet Roberts, released in March 1994 by Cooltempo as the second single from the singer's debut album, Natural Thing (1994). Originally released as a double A-side with her song "Again", it was then released as its own single following the success of its predecessor, "Caught in the Middle", in 1994. Co-written by Roberts with Nathaniel Pierre Jones, it was produced by Dancin' Danny D and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song also reached number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Europe, it charted in the UK, where it peaked at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart, but was more successful on the UK Dance Singles Chart, reaching number three in October 1994. The accompanying music video for the song was directed by American filmmaker and comic artist Antoine Fuqua.