"Know by Now" is a song by English singer-songwriter Robert Palmer, released in August 1994 by

EMI EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At the time of its break-up in 201 ...

as the second single from the singer's twelfth studio album, ''

Honey Honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by several bees, the best-known of which are honey bees. Honey is made and stored to nourish bee colonies. Bees produce honey by gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of plants (primar ...

'' (1994). The song was written by Palmer and co-produced by Palmer alongside

Stephen Hague Stephen Hague (born 1960) is an American record producer most active with various British acts since the 1980s. Early life Hague was born in Portland, Maine in 1960. Early career Hague started his musical career in the mid-1970s as a session k ...

. "Know by Now" reached number 25 in the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

and remained in the top 100 for five weeks.

Background

Speaking to

The Canadian Press The Canadian Press (CP; french: La Presse canadienne, ) is a Canadian national news agency headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Established in 1917 as a vehicle for the time's Canadian newspapers to exchange news and information, The Canadian Pre ...

in 1994, Palmer said of the song, "I happen to think that it is probably the best song I've written for many reasons – first of all, it's three songs in one, in that each piece of it was a separate inspiration at a different time, not merely a reason to get from A to C."

Music video

The song's music video was shot in Barcelona.

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, Andrew Hirst of the ''

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'' picked it as the "single of the week" and wrote, "Every now and then Palmer releases a single of quality and distinction. This is another one." In the US,

Larry Flick Larry Flick is an American journalist, former dance music columnist, single reviewer, and Senior Talent Editor for ''Billboard'' magazine, where he worked for 14 years. Now he produces and hosts Sirius XM radio shows. Flick started in the music ...

of ''

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'' described the song as "a breezy pop/rocker" and added, "His distinctive delivery glides with friendly ease and warmth over an arrangement of plucky guitar lines and a steady, synth-coated beat. He brings colors and tones to this track that haven't turned up on one of his records in years – what a pleasure. A toe-tapper that sticks to the brain after one spin." In the review for the album ''Honey'', Leslie Mathew of

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

commented: "Highlights include "Know by Now," a tasty mid-paced rocker." ''

CD Review ''CD Review'' (formerly known as ''Digital Audio'' and ''Digital Audio and Compact Disc Review'') is a discontinued American monthly magazine that specialized in reviewing albums and audio electronics, especially compact discs. The magazine was fo ...

'' said: "In a classier vein "Know by Now" reworks that percolating "Every Breath You Take" groove one more time." In the 1997 book ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Seventies Music'', Colin Larkin commented: "''Honey'' was another credible release with notable tracks such as "Know by Now" and the title song."

Track listings

* 7-inch single # "Know by Now" (radio edit) – 4:01 # " Mercy, Mercy Me" / " I Want You" – 5:58 * CD single (UK CD1) # "Know by Now" (radio edit) – 4:01 # "In the Stars" – 4:51 # "Simply Irresistible" – 4:14 # "Mercy, Mercy Me" / "I Want You" – 5:58 * CD single (Europe; UK CD2) # "Know by Now" (radio edit) – 4:01 # "In the Stars" – 4:51 # "Know by Now" (Pinaxa mix) – 5:26 # "

She Makes My Day "She Makes My Day" is a song by British vocalist Robert Palmer, which was released in 1988 as the third single from his ninth studio album '' Heavy Nova''. The song was written and produced by Palmer. "She Makes My Day" reached No. 6 in both the U ...

" – 4:15 * CD single (Australia) # "Know by Now" (radio edit) – 4:01 # "In the Stars" – 4:51 # "Know by Now" (Pinaxa mix) – 5:26 # "She Makes My Day" – 4:15 # "Girl U Want" – 2:24

Personnel

Production * Robert Palmer – producer, arranger * Stephen Hague – producer * Pino "Pinaxa" Pischetola – mixing, remixer of "Pinaxa Mix"

Charts

References

{{Authority control 1994 songs 1994 singles Robert Palmer (singer) songs Songs written by Robert Palmer (singer) Song recordings produced by Stephen Hague EMI Records singles