November 1, 1997: I Knew You Were Waiting For Me

The points of discussion:
1) Do you love it or hate it?
2) Does it bring back memories?
3) Any relevant experiences involving the song?
4) What do you think the song is about?

I Knew You Were Waiting For Me:

"I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" is the transatlantic #1 George Michael - Aretha Franklin duet. The single was a major stepping stone in George's career, breaking away from the Wham! image to go into a more R&B area of music. The single won Aretha and George a Grammy award for best R&B duet. In reality, this was more of his first "solo" single. Again, this can be disputed as some will say it's "Careless Whisper", "A Different Corner", "I Want Your Sex" or "Faith". This duet went on to top both the US and UK charts. "I Knew You Were Waiting" is also Aretha Franklin's first duet with a white pop singer. She went on to record duets with the Eurythmics and Elton John. Curiously all of these artists were British. I'd like to hear everyone's comments on this song.

I Knew You Were Waiting on the Charts:

UK: #1
US: #1 (2 weeks)

I Knew You Were Waiting Lyrics


(name) David. M
(email) [email protected]

Hey, I love "I Knew You Where Waiting" for one reason ITS GEORGE!!!! The song is so powerful, though I dont care much for Aretha she does a very good job in this song...George's voice seems to mix well with every artist he performs with. I have to say this song in my opinion though not written by George Really fits him really well,as you watch the video they show clips of him in his Wham days, it is almost like the songs follows his life, and again mentions him "Waiting" for someone or someone Waitng for him...George definetley has someone in his past or still the present that he longs for.....it is not important really who this is, but he shows that he is just like, a normal person with strong emotions. I give this song on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest a 10. :-)

Take Care
D.M


(name) Bryan
(email) [email protected]

"I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" is one of my favorite songs. With George, I love the way he works with people on duets. He lets himself and his vocal partner shine out in the song. I know lots of duets which are more like competitions to see who can sing louder. With this and "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", they are songs that really define "good vocals", especially on George's part.

It has a great melody and if there was one song I could say George's voice shines out in, it has got to be "I Knew You Were Waiting". He sings purely and beautifully.

This track is important in the way of helping both artists. I think it helped both artists in the way that Aretha received her first transatlantic #1 hit and her first US #1 hit in years since "Respect" hit #1 in the 60's. As for George, it helped establish him in the R&B market. He won a Grammy for this and I think it really helped him in becoming an R&B star and helping "Faith" become such a huge hit in the US. As we know, he got on the "Beverly Hills Cop" soundtrack, then "Faith" became the first #1 R&B album by a British or white artist. And one of few #1 R&B hits from white artists, "One More Try". So this single really helped him in the way of getting him known to another group of people besides, just the pop market.

And I love this song!

Bryan


(name) Melanie
(email) [email protected]

"I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" will always be a special song to me because I was one of the few who was able to see George sing the song with Aretha Franklin in concert. It was at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan, on August 29, 1988.

I just pulled out one of my scrap books and thought I'd mention a few things from the article that appeared in the Detroit Free Press. Aretha said the experience was "wonderful, fabulous, just great. I think there's a great chemistry between us." She also said, "He's very, very talented. I would say that he's definitely a perfectionist. He's very exciting to watch." At that time, she was also talking about working more with George, but that never happened.

George introduced Aretha by saying, "Normally at this point of the show, my spiel goes, 'Unfortunately, the lady is not with us tonight.'" You should have heard the crowd roar then! The song was great. And all I remember thinking was that I hope Aretha doesn't bust out of her strapless dress. (Those of you who have read Bare will also remember that George said she wore glitter make-up which stuck in his beard for days.)

I still can't believe I was there!

Melanie


(name) Rosa
(email) [email protected]

Hello to all my friends at GNotes! I think the song of the week " I knew you were waiting for me" is an excellent song. EXTREMELY ENJOYING! I REALLY LOVE IT. It has that special rythm that involves you with a special feeling. I will like to hear more of that kind of music perform by GM. Bye, Bye. Regards, Rosa.


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