BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987
“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” is a Grammy Award-winning #1 song performed by Aretha Franklin and George Michael as a duet in 1987. It was written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan. It also stands as Aretha’s biggest hit at Adult Contemporary radio, spending several weeks at #2. Despite selling more than a million US copies, the single was never certified.
The song was not originally written as a duet. Climie and Morgan pitched the song to Tina Turner as well to Aretha Franklin and Arista Records head Clive Davis. It was Davis’ idea to get Franklin and George Michael to record the song as a duet.
Narada Michael Walden, who worked with Aretha on her Who’s Zoomin’ Who album, produced this track. He also produced the song this displaced at the top spot of the Hot 100: “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship. This made him the eighth producer in the Rock Era to score back-to-back #1 hits.
The “Instrumental” only appears as the b-side of the 7″ single releases.
SIDE A:
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) 4:00
SIDE B:
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (Instrumental) 4:00
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1987 | I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) | U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | #2 |
| 1987 | I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs | #12 |
| 1987 | I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) | U.S. Cashbox Top 100 Singles | #1 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – DUET 2
Format: Vinyl, 7″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 19 Jan 1987
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Soul
CREDITS:
Producer, Arranged By – Narada Michael Walden
Written-By – Morgan*, Climie*
NOTES:
From the LP “ARETHA”
Produced for Perfection Light Productions.
Find The 7″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Boom! Thanks!
“The “Instrumental” only appears as the b-side of the 7″ single releases.”
Well, I didn’t know that. Thanks!
Gosh i feel like a idiot just checked i already have the 12″ downloaded from here a while back, thanks again…
I really enjoyed this, shame it wasnt the 12″ though, i guess i will have to wait and see, dont suppose you have harold faltermeyer – axel f 12″
Oh and Thanks Thanks Thanks once again
Thank you. It’s great music… like always :).
many thanks like always!
Paul, I have the 12″ released here in Brazil with the instrumental, perhaps the only 12″ with this version, and was released a little earlier, in 1986 🙂
I have the website link Discogs to prove:
http://www.discogs.com/Aretha-Franklin-George-Michael-I-Knew-You-Were-Waiting-For-Me/release/2649107
´
Congratulations for the post, one of the best duets of the 80´s.
Thanks Rod! The UK can only put ~3 songs on a 12” or CD single because of licensing-so they have a second 12” or CD2. Other territories like Brazil or US can add many more:
A1 I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (Radio Version) 4:01
A2 I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (Edited Remix) 5:29
A3 I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (Instrumental) 4:00
B1 I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (Extended Remix) 7:30
B2 I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (Percapella) 5:14
Great track as always Paul.
Simon was more known as part of Climie Fisher with Rob Fisher from Naked eyes. But this was one of his best tracks!
Thank you so much, Paul! Great to finally have a good copy of the instrumental! Very grateful!
Thanks Paul 😀
I’ve always loved this song and I’m jazzed about the instrumental mix. Paul, I love the surprises you have for us, day in and day out throughout the year. Thanks for this and for you being you!
Cheers!
Jeff
You’re welcome Jeff 🙂
One of my favourite duet collaborations from the 80’s.
Thanks for posting it, Paul 🙂
Also it would be much appreciated if you could repost “Maitai – History” in future.
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
Thank you.
You’re welcome Hugh 🙂
Hi Paul!
Thanks for this, good to have the instrumental!
I don’t know how you feel about mashups, but here is one I did last year with this song!
https://soundcloud.com/mark-knott-1/i-knew-you-were-waiting-for-1
Thanks again,
Mark
Very nice Mark. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yay ! George Michael !
does this mean we are witnessing the Faith era singles on BTG ? :p
Thank you P.
PS – Can anyone guess why I am called Yog ?
You’re welcome Yog 🙂
Hi Paul, I’m back from summer holiday, so I was absent for a few weeks.
Just downloaded all your recent posts, thanks!
This single has the instrumental, and I think I wasn’t aware of that really. So thanks for this great rare post! Always nice to have the instrumentals.
Nice to have you back Stefano. Yes the instrumental is exclusive to 7″.