In honour of the beautiful and brilliant late Aretha Franklin, who sadly passed away on the 16th August 2018, as well as the musical legend George Michael who also left this world on the 25th December 2015, the incredible “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” will be discussed on Story of Song today. Show
Aretha Franklin (also known as the “Queen of Soul”) was one of soul music’s greatest talents. With a childhood spent singing in a gospel choir in Detroit where her father C.L Franklin was minister. By the end of the 1960’s she had earned her “Queen of Soul” due to her infamous songs: “Respect”, “Think” and many more. “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” was a result of Aretha Franklin’s producer at the time as well as her record label boss Cliv Davis. For George Michael, this marked a huge moment in his solo career as he had only released two singles since leaving Wham!, but he was also was a huge fan of Franklin and would later state in interviews that he considered the duet a “career highlight”. Little did Michael know, Franklin was also a fan of his, previously stating that she believed that Michael had “a very unique sound” and that she was very happy when Davis suggested turning the hit song into a duet. “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” tells the tale of two lovers who have both been through heartache with previous partners and sing about their trials and tribulations and how they were all worth it in the end, as they knew that this lover was waiting for them. When the river was deep, I didn’t falter The chorus above is sung by both Michael and Franklin, using physical difficulties such as high mountains and low valleys to put into context how much struggle they feel as if they’ve been through – but all that struggle was worth it and didn’t affect them as they knew their new lover was waiting for them. Franklin sings the main verses of the songs, which focus on the struggles and search of finding the lover, as well as intuition that they would soon meet when the time was correct, while Michael’s presence is strongly present in the pre-chorus and the chorus of the song. He emphasises that he “doesn’t regret a single moment”, even “when I think of all those disappointments”, and he “just laughs”. Michael is saying how when he at his past lovers, he doesn’t feel regret at the fact they did not work as he’s content now, and is able to look back and laugh at them. Michael’s powerful voice accompanied by Franklin’s equally powerful and soulful voice creates a song full of not just pure, raw and unfiltered talent, it creates a intoxicating, strong and upbeat love ballad that was very unique and rare for that time. The almost electronic feel to the song and it’s slow tempo in the verses but fast and 80’s pop combined with soul feel creates an extremely passionate yet fun song. The music video was directed by Andy Morahan and is very simple in terms of cinematography. The video opens with Michael entering a dark room with two body guards, with Franklin on a large screen behind him preparing for him. Towards the end of the video, they are gradually both brought together singing in front of the screen and on it – and the video simply ends with a mischievous wink from Franklin. Both Aretha Franklin and George Michael were unbelievably talented, and the these two musical legends will forever live on in the memory of those who were lucky enough to experience and love their incredible voices. Release date: January 23rd 1987 Songwriter/s: Simon Climie, Dennis Morgan Recorded: 1986 Album: “Aretha” Record Label: Arista Chart history: “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Top 100, and was Franklin’s first and only UK number-one hit. For Michael it was his third consecutive number one hit in the UK since leaving Wham!.
"I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" is a song released by American singer Aretha Franklin and English singer George Michael as a duet in 1987.[1] The song was a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.[2] Billboard listed "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" as Franklin's all-time biggest Hot 100 single.[3] The song was Franklin's biggest hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number two.[4][5] The song was written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan and produced by Narada Michael Walden.[6] Franklin and Michael won a 1987 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)".[7][8] Background and recording[edit]In 1984, Michael was approached to write and produce a song for Franklin for an unspecified soundtrack album; however, his busy schedule with Wham! made it impossible for him to do so at the time. Michael was also anxious that writing for one of his favourite artists could be too nerve-wracking (considering himself to be unworthy) and that for Franklin to sing a song he had written would be "ludicrous".[9][10] According to Michael, he originally approached both Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder respectively, before Franklin.[11] In 2017, following Michael's death in late 2016, Franklin recalled the following about the recording of "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)":
Music video[edit]The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan.[13] It begins with George Michael and two bodyguards entering a dark room. There is a large viewing screen on the wall showing Aretha Franklin preparing for George Michael. Over the course of the video, each of the singers are shown performing the song both in front of the screen and on it. During the second verse, footage from both Franklin's and Michael's earlier careers is shown on the screen. As the second chorus ends, Michael joins Franklin on the stage, and footage of earlier famous duet pairs—Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Sonny and Cher, Ike and Tina Turner, and others—are shown on the viewing screen while Michael and Franklin sing the song's bridge. At the end of the video, Franklin winks at the camera.[14] Personnel[edit]
Reception and chart performance[edit]The song was a one-off project that helped Michael achieve his ambition to sing with one of his favorite artists, and it reached number one on both the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100.[2] The song was Franklin's first and only UK number-one hit.[15] In his book titled Dynamic Duets: The Best Pop Collaborations from 1955 to 1999, author Bob Leszczak described "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" as a "joyous and uplifting duet".[16] Charts and certifications[edit]References[edit]
Was George Michael friends with Aretha Franklin?Aretha and George teamed up for a one-off collaboration and released 'I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)' together in 1987. In this rare interview footage, Aretha spoke in detail about her friendship with George Michael and shared how their iconic collaboration came together.
Who did Aretha Franklin duet with?Silly, silly! All in all, I enjoyed the show. I'd like to see Aretha do another one, DUETS II starring Franklin with Bettye LaVette, Patti LaBelle, Bobby Womack, Wilson Pickett and Mavis Staples.
Who Has George Michael done duets with?George Michael duets. DesafinadoAstrud Gilberto, George Michael.. If I Told You That (feat. ... . I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)George Michael, Aretha Franklin.. How Do You Keep the Music Playing? ( ... . AsMary J. ... . Don't Let the Sun Go Down on MeGeorge Michael, Elton John.. Somebody to LoveGeorge Michael, Queen.. What is the age of Aretha Franklin?76 years (1942–2018)Aretha Franklin / Age at deathnull
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