Released 1961 Recorded 1961 Length 2:25 | Format Airplay, Promo single Genre R&B Label A.F.O. | |
"I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)" is a R&B song written and performed by American singer Barbara George. It was released as her debut single in late 1961. This song became her signature song and her only major hit in United States, peaking at number 1 in the Billboard R&B singles chart and number 3 in the Pop Singles chart. The song was later covered by The Newbeats, Cher, Ike & Tina Turner, Bonnie Raitt, Anne Murray, Steve Marriott, Yvonne Fair, Felder's Orioles, and also a Spanish language version by Marisela was released in 1988. The Shirelles borrowed the melody of "I Know" for their 1963 cover of "Everybody Loves A Lover".
Contents
Background
Barbara George began singing as a teen in her Baptist church choir and writing her own original songs. Already married by age 16, she later befriended R&B performer Jessie Hill, who wrangled her an audition with saxophonist/arranger Harold Battiste's fledgling AFO label. In June 1961, Battiste organized a split recording session for George and fellow AFO artist Prince La La at producer Cosimo Matassa's J&M Studios. Backed by New Orleans studio performers including cornetist Melvin Lastie, guitarist Roy Montrell, and drummer John Boudreaux, George cut the self-penned "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)", a vibrant, up-tempo number inspired by the traditional hymn "Just a Closer Walk with Thee". Issued via AFO's national distribution deal with Juggy Murray's Sue Records, "I Know" hit radio and retail in late 1961 and was a national 'crossover' hit, topping the U.S. R&B charts and crossing over to number three on Billboard's pop countdown.
Marisela version
In 1988, American singer Marisela recorded a cover version of the song for the soundtrack of the film Salsa. The original version recorded by Marisela was sung in English language and included on the film soundtrack, along with songs by Laura Branigan, Tito Puente, Robi Rosa, Wilkins and Grupo Niche. A Spanish language version of the track, produced by Enrique Elizondo, was later included in Marisela's album of the same title, under the title "Ya No". This version became her first number-one single in the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart, temporarily dislodging Franco's "María" for one week from the top of the chart.