Sure Know Something Explained

Sure Know Something
Cover:Sure Know Something - KISS - 1979.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Kiss
Album:Dynasty
B-Side:Hard Times
Released:September 30, 1979
Recorded:1979
Studio:Electric Lady Studios, New York City; Record Plant Studios, New York City
Genre:Hard rock, disco
Length:3:58
Label:Casablanca NB-2205 (US)
Producer:Vini Poncia
Prev Title:I Was Made for Lovin' You
Prev Title2:Hard Times
Prev Year:1979
Title2:Dirty Livin'
Next Title:Shandi
Next Title2:She's So European
Next Year:1980

"Sure Know Something" is a single by American hard rock band Kiss, released on their 1979 album Dynasty.

Written by vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley and producer Vini Poncia, "Sure Know Something" reached number 47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1979, and in the Top Ten in some countries around the world.[1] It would become another top ten hit (number 5) for the band in Australia.

Cash Box said the song "has a rock-anthemic quality" and praised the hook.[2] Record World called it a "megarocker that bowls you over with sheer power and enthusiasm."[3]

A promotional video, directed by John Goodhue, was filmed for the single and featured the band on a mock-up of what was their Dynasty-era stage show.[4] "Sure Know Something" was performed by the band acoustically during their MTV Unplugged performance in 1995 and with the Melbourne Symphony Ensemble on their live album .

The song incorporates disco music into the usual style of a rock ballad. It is one of two disco rock hits for the band, the other being "I Was Made for Lovin' You". It is seen as being one of the more sophisticated songs written by Stanley, with critics noting the heartfelt feelings of confusion and sorrow. The song musically and lyrically is darker than most Kiss songs, with the song being played in a minor key and the lyrics referring to being overwhelmed by loss of virginity.

Studio personnel

Charts

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Sure Know Something"! Chart (1979)! Position
Australian Singles (Kent Music Report)[5] 45

Notes and References

  1. http://www.kissfaq.com/charts/scharts.html International Chart History
  2. News: CashBox Singles Reviews. August 25, 1979. 7. Cash Box. 2022-01-01.
  3. Record World. August 25, 1979. 2023-02-11. Hits of the Week. 1.
  4. http://www.kissfaq.com/video/concept.html KISS video information
  5. Web site: Kent Music Report No 288 – 31 December 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1979. Kent Music Report. Imgur.com. 10 January 2023. N.B. David Kent's 1970–1992 Australian chart book and the Kent Music Report end of year chart for 1980 erroneously list the peak for "Sure Know Something" as number 5.
  6. Web site: National Top 100 Singles for 1980. . 341 . . 5 January 1981 . 17 January 2022 .