| I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) | |
| Cover: | IKYWWFM.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Aretha Franklin and George Michael |
| Album: | Aretha |
| Released: | [1] |
| Recorded: | 1986 |
| Genre: | |
| Length: | 4:01 |
| Label: | Arista |
| Producer: | Narada Michael Walden |
| Chronology: | Aretha Franklin |
| Prev Title: | Jimmy Lee |
| Prev Year: | 1987 |
| Next Title: | Rock-A-Lott |
| Next Year: | 1987 |
"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.[4] The song was a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.[5] Billboard listed "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" as Franklin's all-time biggest Hot 100 single.[6] The song was Franklin's biggest hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number two.[7] [8] The song was written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan and produced by Narada Michael Walden.[9] 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)".[10] [11]
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".[12] [13] According to Michael, he originally approached both Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder respectively, before Franklin.[14] Following Michael's death in December 2016, Franklin recalled the following about the recording of "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)":
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.[5] 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]
The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan[17] and was filmed in Detroit.[18] 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 is 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.[19]
| Peak position | ||
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[20] | 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI)[21] | 2 | |
| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[22] | 1 | |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] | 5 | |
| Italy (Hit Parade)[24] | 11 | |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[25] | 14 | |
| Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[26] | 1 |
| Position | ||
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[27] | 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[28] | 12 | |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[29] | 35 | |
| European Top 100 Singles (Music & Media)[30] | 30 | |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] | 8 | |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] | 8 | |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[33] | 25 | |
| UK Singles (Gallup)[34] | 11 | |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[35] | 38 | |
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[36] | 36 | |
| US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[37] | 13 | |
| West Germany (Official German Charts)[38] | 52 |
