"All I Know" is a song written by American songwriter Jimmy Webb, first recorded by Art Garfunkel on his 1973 debut solo album, ''

Angel Clare ''Angel Clare'', the debut solo studio album by Art Garfunkel, released on September 11, 1973, is his highest-charting solo album, peaking at No. 5. It includes his only Top 10 hit in the US as a solo artist, "All I Know", which peaked at No. 9 ...

,'' released by

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music, Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese Conglomerate (company), conglomerate Sony. It was founded on Janua ...

. Instrumental backing was provided by members of the Wrecking Crew, L.A. session musicians. Garfunkel's version is the best known and highest-charting version, peaking at number nine on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and number one on the Easy Listening chart for four weeks in October 1973. Garfunkel's version begins with a solo piano, before he begins to sing. When the orchestration is beginning to fade out, the solo piano takes over, playing melodic passages to the song's end.

Reception

In his review for ''Allmusic,'' Joe Viglione wrote that Jimmy Webb's own version of the song, recorded for '' Ten Easy Pieces'' in 1996, had "none of the gloss" of Garfunkel's hit version, but more soul. Viglione continued:

Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

The Linda Ronstadt connection

More recently, Webb invited Linda Ronstadt to join him in a duet version for his 2010 album '' Just Across the River.'' Ronstadt had just announced her retirement from singing when Webb sent her an email describing his new CD of duets. Webb asked if she would sing "All I Know" with him, with just a guitar backup. Ronstadt called him and said, "Damn it, you've gotten me interested in that song." Webb later recalled, "There was a poignancy to that moment ... because I didn’t know if she'd ever sing again. Her voice sounds elegantly beautiful on 'All I Know' ... I loved the meticulous way she covered my voice."

Elsewhere in popular culture

The song continues to appear in popular culture. It was featured in the season 2 finale and the series finale of the American drama series '' Nip/Tuck.'' Garfunkel's second rendition of the song was also used in a video montage in the ending credits of "The Grass Is Always Greener," Episode 12 in Season 3 of the American comedy-drama series '' Boy Meets World.''

Recorded versions

* Art Garfunkel on his album ''Angel Clare'' (1973) * Art Garfunkel on his album ''

Up 'til Now ''Up 'til Now'' is the third compilation album by Art Garfunkel. The album is a mixture of three previously released solo tracks (including a track from ''The Animals' Christmas''), seven new songs (including a duet with James Taylor and a track fr ...

'' (1993) * Amy Holland and Michael McDonald on the soundtrack album ''One Life to Live'' (1994) * Jimmy Webb on his album '' Ten Easy Pieces'' (1996) * Michael Feinstein on his album '' Only One Life: The Songs of Jimmy Webb'' (2003) * Five for Fighting on the soundtrack album '' Chicken Little'' (2005) * Jimmy Webb on his album '' Live and at Large'' (2007) *

Alan Cumming Alan Cumming (born 27 January 1965) is a British actor. His London stage appearances include ''Hamlet'', the Maniac in ''Accidental Death of an Anarchist'' (for which he received an Olivier Award), the lead in '' Bent'', The National Theatre o ...

on his album '' I Bought a Blue Car Today'' (2009) * Jimmy Webb and Linda Ronstadt on the album '' Just Across the River'' (2010)

References

External links

* {{authority control 1973 singles Art Garfunkel songs Michael McDonald (musician) songs Amy Holland songs Songs written by Jimmy Webb Pop ballads Song recordings produced by Roy Halee Male–female vocal duets 1973 songs Columbia Records singles