Know by Now


"Know by Now" is a song by English singer Robert Palmer, released in 1994 as the second single from his twelfth studio album Honey. The song was solely written by Palmer and co-produced by Palmer alongside Stephen Hague.

Background

Released as the second single from the Honey album, the song fared better than the lead single "Girl U Want". It reached No. 25 in the UK and remained in the charts for five weeks. The single was Palmer's last top 30 entry on the UK singles chart. Although it failed to make any impact in America, the single peaked at No. 23 in Canada.

Release

The single was released on 7" vinyl and CD single by EMI in the UK, Europe, North America and Australasia. The single featured a "Radio Edit" of the song. The main B-side was the non-album track "In the Stars". In the UK, a 2 part CD set was released. The main CD single, released in America, Europe and other territories, was the second CD of the UK set. For most CD versions of the single, a remix of "Know by Now" was also included, created by Pino "Pinaxa" Pischetola, and dubbed the "Pinaxa Mix".

Promotion

A music video was filmed to promote the single. In America, Palmer also performed the song on Jay Leno's The Tonight Show. In the UK, he performed the song on the Michael Ball Show.

Critical reception

Upon release, Billboard described the song as "a breezy pop/rocker", adding: "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 commented: "Highlights include "Know by Now," a tasty mid-paced rocker." CD Review 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 listing

;7" Single
  1. "Know by Now" - 4:01
  2. "Mercy, Mercy Me/I Want You" - 5:58
;CD Single
  1. "Know by Now" - 4:01
  2. "In the Stars" - 4:51
  3. "Simply Irresistible" - 4:14
  4. "Mercy, Mercy Me/I Want You" - 5:58
;CD Single
  1. "Know by Now" - 4:01
  2. "In the Stars" - 4:51
  3. "Know by Now" - 5:26
  4. "She Makes My Day" - 4:15
;CD Single
  1. "Know by Now" - 4:01
  2. "In the Stars" - 4:51
  3. "Know by Now" - 5:26
  4. "She Makes My Day" - 4:15
  5. "Girl U Want" - 2:24
;CD Single
  1. "Know by Now" - 4:01

    Chart performance

Personnel