You Will Know

Last updated
"You Will Know"
Stevie Wonder - You Will Know.jpg
Single by Stevie Wonder
from the album Characters
B-side "Instrumental"
Released1987
Studio Wonderland Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Genre R&B, soul
Length5:00
Label Tamla
Songwriter(s) Stevie Wonder
Producer(s) Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder singles chronology
"Skeletons"
(1987)
"You Will Know"
(1987)
"Get It"
(1987)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Number One Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]

"You Will Know" is a song written and recorded by American R&B singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, taken from his 1987 Characters album. It is the opening track on the album, and is the second single from the album as well. This is Stevie Wonder's 20th and final number-one R&B hit single. [2] Wonder performed the song along with R&B quartet Jodeci and Mary J. Blige on an episode of The Arsenio Hall Show in late 1992. [3]

Contents

Chart performance

In March 1988, the song reached number 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 1 on the R&B chart, [4] "You Will Know" also peaked at number 16 on the Adult Contemporary charts. [5]

Critical reception

Karen Swayne from Number One wrote, "This isn't one of the best tracks, but there's a warmth and humanity to it that means all but the hardest hearted will forgive him (for) crooning trite platitudes like 'problems have solutions/trust and I will show.' Some people might even believe him. And why not." [1]

Charts

Chart (1988)Peak
Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 77
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 16
U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles 1

Related Research Articles

Uptown Records is an American record label, based in New York City, founded in 1986 by onetime rapper Andre Harrell. From the late 1980s into the early 1990s, it was a leader in R&B and hip hop. During the 1990s, aided by its A&R worker Sean Combs, it led the fusion of these two genres. Its artists included Al B. Sure!, Christopher Williams, Guy, Heavy D & The Boyz, Father MC, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., and Soul for Real.

<i>Mary</i> (Mary J. Blige album) 1999 studio album by Mary J. Blige

Mary is the fourth studio album by American singer Mary J. Blige, released August 17, 1999, on MCA Records. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 239,000 copies in its first week. It spent 57 weeks on the chart and produced five charting singles. Upon its release, Mary received acclaim from music critics. It has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of two million units in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing</span> 1974 single by Stevie Wonder

"Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released as the third single from his sixteenth studio album, Innervisions (1973). It reached number 16 on the US Billboard Pop Singles chart, number 10 on the Cash Box Top 100, and number two on the R&B chart. The song's lyrics convey a positive message, focusing on taking things in one's stride and accentuating the positive. In 1992, British band Incognito had a European hit with their cover of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Really Love Me</span> 1971 single by Stevie Wonder

"If You Really Love Me" is a song written by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright. Wonder recorded the song and released his version as a single from his 1971 album Where I'm Coming From. The single peaked in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard′s R&B chart, and Billboard′s Easy Listening chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Place in the Sun (Stevie Wonder song)</span> 1966 single by Stevie Wonder

"A Place in the Sun" is a 1966 soul single by American and Motown musician Stevie Wonder. Written by Ronald Miller and Bryan Wells, it was one of Wonder's first songs to contain social commentary. "A Place in the Sun" was his third Top Ten hit since 1963, hitting number 9 on the Billboard pop singles chart and number 3 on the R&B charts. Billboard described the song as a "folk-oriented release" to which Wonder gives an "exciting treatment." The Originals and The Andantes sang background vocals on the recording. Stevie Wonder also recorded a version of the song in Italian titled "Il Sole è di Tutti".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday</span> 1969 single by Stevie Wonder

"Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" is a 1969 soul song written by Ron Miller and Bryan Wells, released by American Motown singer-songwriter-musician Stevie Wonder on the album My Cherie Amour (1969). The song continued Wonder's success on the pop charts. It reached number 7 on the pop singles chart and become Wonder's ninth Top 10 single of the 1960s. The single fared even better on the UK singles chart where it reached number 2 in November 1969, and at that time, it was Wonder's biggest UK hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Are the Sunshine of My Life</span> 1973 single by Stevie Wonder

"You Are the Sunshine of My Life" is a 1973 single released by Stevie Wonder. The song became Wonder's third number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and his first number-one on the Easy Listening chart. It won Wonder a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and was nominated for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. This song was the second single released from the 1972 album entitled Talking Book, which stayed at number one on the R&B albums chart for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Send One Your Love</span> 1979 single by Stevie Wonder

"Send One Your Love" is a 1979 soul single by American and Motown musician and singer Stevie Wonder from his album Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants" (1979). Released in November 1979 as the album's lead single, the song reached number four on the US Billboard pop singles chart in 1979 The song also became Wonder's second single to top the adult contemporary chart, following 1973's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", topping the chart for four weeks. On the soul charts, "Send One Your Love" went to number five.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go Home (song)</span> 1985 single by Stevie Wonder

"Go Home" is a song by Stevie Wonder, released as the second single from his twentieth studio album, In Square Circle (1985). The song showcased the narrator's plea to a young woman to go home, though the girl tries to get the narrator to stay with her. In the US, the song peaked at #2 on the Billboard R&B chart and #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and, to date, is Wonder's last song to reach the US top ten on the Hot 100. "Go Home" also topped both the Billboard dance chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ribbon in the Sky</span> 1982 single by Stevie Wonder

"Ribbon in the Sky" is a song by American singer Stevie Wonder. The ballad was first featured on the 1982 greatest hits album, Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I, and charted at No. 54 pop, No. 21 Adult Contemporary, and No. 10 R&B in the US when it was released. The song also charted in the United Kingdom, reaching #45.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)</span> 1972 single by Stevie Wonder

"Superwoman " is a 1972 soul track by Stevie Wonder. It was the second track on Wonder's Music of My Mind album, and was also released as the first single. The song reached a peak of number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lately (Stevie Wonder song)</span>

"Lately" is a song by American singer Stevie Wonder recorded for his album Hotter than July (1980). The song reached number three in the United Kingdom, and was later covered by R&B group Jodeci and released as a promotional single for the live album Uptown MTV Unplugged in June 1993, which reached number one on the R&B charts and the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues</span> 1983 song by Elton John

"I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" is a song by English musician Elton John, with music by John and Davey Johnstone and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It is the first single from John's 17th studio album Too Low for Zero. In the United States, it became one of John's biggest hits of the 1980s, holding at No. 2 for four weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart, and reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached the top ten in five countries, including the UK, peaking at number five. It was the first single since 1975 to feature the classic lineup of the Elton John Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As (song)</span> 1976 Stevie Wonder song

"As" is a song written and performed by American singer and musician Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album, Songs in the Key of Life. It reached number 36 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Black Singles chart. The song gets its name from the first word of its lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overjoyed (Stevie Wonder song)</span> 1985 single by Stevie Wonder

"Overjoyed" is a hit single written and performed by American R&B singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder on the Tamla (Motown) label from his 1985 album In Square Circle. The single peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April of 1986, remaining in the Top 40 for six weeks. In addition, "Overjoyed" was a No. 1 hit on the adult contemporary chart, the eighth of his career. An alternate single release featured an instrumental version on the B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Star</span> 1977 single by Stevie Wonder

"Another Star" is a song written and performed by Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. It is the final track on side four of the double LP. The flute player Bobbi Humphrey appears in the last section of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skeletons (Stevie Wonder song)</span> 1987 single by Stevie Wonder

"Skeletons" is a number-one R&B single performed by American recording artist Stevie Wonder from his 1987 Characters album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Had a Dream Come True (Stevie Wonder song)</span> 1970 single by Stevie Wonder

"Never Had a Dream Come True" is a song written by Stevie Wonder and Motown staff songwriters Henry Cosby and Sylvia Moy, released as a single on the Tamla subsidiary in February 1970. Featured on his 12th studio release, Signed, Sealed & Delivered, as the lead single, "Never Had..." was a modest hit in the U.S. upon its release, debuting at No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of Feb. 7, 1970, and No. 11 on the R&B chart. The song received a boost in the U.K. where it eventually peaked at No. 6.

<i>Friends in Love</i> (Johnny Mathis album) 1982 studio album by Johnny Mathis

Friends in Love is an album by American pop singer Johnny Mathis that was released on April 5, 1982, by Columbia Records and included six original songs, two of which were duets with Dionne Warwick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Love (Stevie Wonder song)</span> 1966 single by Stevie Wonder

"Hey Love" is a 1966 song by Stevie Wonder, from his album Down to Earth. It was released as a B-side to "Travelin' Man," but it also reached the charts in its own right, peaking at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the R&B Singles chart in the spring of 1967. It has been covered by other artists, including Bettye LaVette and R. Kelly.

References

  1. 1 2 Swayne, Karen (23 January 1988). "Singles". Number One . p. 42. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  2. According to classic-motown.com, this song was Wonder's most recent #1 R&B chart-topper.
  3. "Jodeci, Mary J. Blige & Stevie Wonder - "You Will Know" Live (1992)". YouTube .
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 636.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 263.