| Tell Me | |
| Cover: | Tell Me cover art.jpeg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Groove Theory |
| Album: | Groove Theory |
| Genre: | R&B |
| Length: | 3:56 |
| Label: | Epic |
| Producer: | Bryce Wilson |
| Next Title: | Keep Tryin' |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
"Tell Me" is a song by American R&B duo Groove Theory from their debut album, Groove Theory (1995). The track is a cover of Rhythm-N-Bass' 1993 song "Tell Me (If You Want Me Too)",[1] which was also produced by Bryce Wilson.[2] The song contains an interpolation of Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long" which itself interpolates Keni Burke's "Risin' to the Top".[3] [4]
Released as a single in June 1995, "Tell Me" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 10 in Australia and Canada, peaking at numbers six and eight, respectively. The single also peaked at number 14 in New Zealand and number 31 in both Iceland and the United Kingdom. "Tell Me" is certified gold in Australia and the United States.
The accompanying music video for "Tell Me", directed by Daniela Federeci, begins with Amel Larrieux and Bryce Wilson in a recording studio. Amel sings into the microphone, whilst Bryce produces behind the studio panel. Amel bops in front a city skyline in other scenes. In between scenes are transitional shots, which feature either Amel singing or Bryce nodding.
In 2003, Raymond & Co wrote "Playing Games", which was melodically inspired by "Tell Me". In 2017, Australian singer Starley wrote "Touch Me", which was also heavily inspired by "Tell Me".[5]
| Publication | Accolade | Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitchfork | The 53 Best R&B Songs of the ’90s | |||
| The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s | ||||
| Soul Bounce | Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs |
| Chart (1995–1996) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (The Record)[6] | 8 | |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] | 61 | |
| Europe (European Dance Radio)[8] | 13 | |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[9] | 31 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 5 | |
| US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[11] | 3 | |
| US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[12] | 2 | |
| US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)[13] | 21 | |
| US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard)[14] | 2 |
| Chart (1995) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[15] | 65 | |
| US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[16] | 38 | |
| US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[17] | 26 | |
| US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard)[18] | 37 |
| Chart (1996) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[19] | 55 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100[20] | 58 | |
| US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[21] | 66 | |
| US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[22] | 41 | |
| US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)[23] | 52 | |
| US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard)[24] | 10 |
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | June 23, 1995 | Epic | ||
| August 1, 1995 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [25] |
On June 9, 2017, production group AXSHN released a version of the song featuring Mexican singer Sofia Reyes.[26] Erica Russell from PopCrush described it as a "throbbing tropical dance banger". The reviewer also highlighted Reyes' voice, writing "Sofia's smooth, sultry vocals beckon to the dance floor like the reflection of the moon sparkling against the Caribbean Sea".[27]
