Something About You (Level 42 song)

"Something About You"
Single by Level 42
from the album World Machine
B-side	"Coup d'état" (version)
Released	13 September 1985 (1985-09-13) [1]
Studio	Maison Rouge (Fulham, West London)
Genre	New wave [2] synth-pop [3] dance-pop [4] jazz [4]
Length	4:27 (album version) 3:44 (7"/video version) 7:40 (12" Sisa mix)
Label	Polydor
Songwriters	Mike Lindup Phil Gould Mark King Rowland Gould Wally Badarou
Producers	Wally Badarou Level 42
Level 42 singles chronology
"The Chant Has Begun" (1984) "Something About You" (1985) "Leaving Me Now" (1985)
Music video
"Something About You" on YouTube

"Something About You" is a single by the English jazz-funk band Level 42, released on 13 September 1985 by Polydor Records, in advance of its inclusion on their sixth studio album World Machine the same year. The song was written by Mark King, Mike Lindup, Phil Gould, Boon Gould, and Wally Badarou. Hugh Thompson (Hedge End) sang backing vocals on the 12" remix.

Release and critical reception

"Something About You" was released in several countries outside the United Kingdom, including the United States, Germany, Italy, Canada, in addition to many countries in South America and Asia. It is the only Level 42 song to have been a top 10 hit in the United States, where it peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as No. 8 on the Cashbox Top 100. ^{[5] [6]} It was their second top 10 hit in the United Kingdom, reaching no. 6 on the UK singles chart. The single was certified gold in Canada in 1986.

In Smash Hits , Dave Rimmer wrote, "It's quite good and all that but there's absolutely nothing special about it. Not one of their best but immediately recognisable as Level 42." ^[7]

Compilations

"Something About You" appears in many Level 42 compilation albums, including Level Best (1989), The Very Best of Level 42 (1998), and The Definitive Collection (2006).

Music video

The music video for "Something About You", which uses the shorter single version, is directed by Stuart Orme, who also directed videos for the Level 42 songs "Lessons in Love" and "Running in the Family" (appearing on their video album Family of Five released in 1987), as well as Phil Collins and Genesis.

Mark King appears as a dark clown magician, representing the negative aspects in the relationships of Mike Lindup, Phil and Boon Gould with their girlfriends, all played by the actress Cherie Lunghi. ^[8]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1985–1986) Peak position Canada RPM [9] 13 Canada The Record [10] 5 Netherlands (Single Top 100) [11] 33 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [12] 10 UK Singles (OCC) [13] 6 US Billboard Hot 100 [14] 7 US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [15] Remix 4 US Billboard Adult Contemporary [16] 10 US Cash Box Top 100 [17] 8

Year-end charts Chart (1985) Position UK Singles (OCC) [18] 53 Chart (1986) Position US Billboard Hot 100 [19] 37 US Cash Box Top 100 [20] 83

References

1. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 20.
2. Jisi, Chris (1 August 2010). "Royal Return: Mark King Leads Level 42 On Its 30th Anniversary Comeback". Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.. Guitar Player .
3. Hermann, Andy (25 January 2017). "10 Underrated '80s Bands You Need to Hear Now". LA Weekly .
4. Gibbs, Ryan (November 15, 2022). "An introduction to Sophisti-pop". In Between Drafts. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
5. Whitburn, Joel (2011). Top Pop Singles 1955-2010. Record Research.
6. Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits: 1952-1996. Record Research.
7. Dave Rimmer (29 August 1985). "Singles". Smash Hits . p. 19.
8. "Lunghi plays love interest in music video".
9. "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 2014-07-22. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
10. Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN   1-896594-13-1.
11. "LEVEL 42 – SOMETHING ABOUT YOU" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
12. "LEVEL 42 – SOMETHING ABOUT YOU". Top 40 Singles.
13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
14. "LEVEL 42 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
15. "LEVEL 42 Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
16. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 139.
17. Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits: 1952–1996. Record Research.
18. "Top 100 1985 - UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
19. "Top 100 Hits of 1986/Top 100 Songs of 1986". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
20. "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1986". Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 2018-08-24.. Cash Box magazine.

External links

• " Something About You " at Discogs (list of releases)