Know by Now

Background

Released as the second single from the Honey album, the track was a solid commercial success, becoming a bigger success than the lead single "Girl U Want" which peaked at #57 in the UK. The single was also the most successful of the album's three singles, peaking at #25 in the UK for a total of 5 weeks. Although it failed to make any impact in America, the single peaked at #23 in Canada.

The single was Palmer's last top 30 entry on the UK singles chart.

Release

The single was released on 7" vinyl and CD single within the UK and Europe only, using a "Radio Edit" of "Know by Now" as the main version. The song's main b-side was the non-album track "In the Stars" which was both written and produced by Palmer. The CD singles advertised "In the Stars" as previously unreleased.

The song's 7" vinyl was released in the UK only, featuring the "Radio Edit" of "Know by Now", with the track "Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You" as the b-side, a cover of the 1971/1976 singles by Marvin Gaye. "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)|Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You" was originally released as a single in 1991 from the 1990 album Don't Explain. The b-side was written by American singer-songwriter and musicians Marvin Gaye, Arthur "T-Boy" Ross and Leon Ware.

In the UK, a 2 part set was released, where the first CD single featured the "Radio Edit" of "Know by Now", "In the Stars", Palmer's 1988 hit song "Simply Irresistible" and "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)|Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You".

For the main CD single, released in America, Europe and as the second CD of the 2 part set in the UK, the main track was the "Radio Edit" of "Know by Now", with "In the Stars" as the main b-side, a remix of "Know by Now", created by Pino "Pinaxa" Pischetola, titled "(Pinaxa Mix)" and the song "She Makes My Day". "She Makes My Day" was written by Palmer, originally released as a 1988 hit single from his album Heavy Nova.

The Australian version of the CD single featured the same track listing as the other CD editions, adding the extra track "Girl U Want", which was released as the lead single from the Honey album. It was originally performed by American band Devo, written by Gerald V. Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh. The Australian version incorrectly credits the songwriting of "Girl U Want" to Mothersbaugh only.

A promotional CD single was also released in the UK, featuring the "Radio Edit" of "Know by Now" as the only track.

The singles' artwork featured Palmer sitting cross legged on the floor in black and white although the first CD of the UK 2 part set featured the artwork in colour.

"Know by Now" was produced by Palmer.

The song was later included on the 1995 compilation Kuschelrock, Vol. 9, the 1996 compilation Heart Rock, Vol. 8, the 2000 compilation Soft Love, Vol. 2, the 2008 compilation This is 1994 and the 2011 compilation Back to the 90's.

It was also included on many compilations based on Palmer's material, on the 1997 compilation The Very Best of Robert Palmer, the 2000 compilation Premium Gold Collection, the 2000 compilation Simply Irresistible, the 2001 compilation The Best of Robert Palmer, the 2002 compilation Best of Both Worlds: The Robert Palmer Anthology (1974-2001), the 2008 compilation Best of Robert Palmer, the 2008 compilation Essential and the 2011 compilation Essential.

Promotion

A music video was created for the single, the only video for any single from the Honey album.

Since being uploaded to YouTube in mid-2007, the video has gained approximately 742,000 views.

To promote the Honey album in America, Palmer performed the song on The Tonight Show, hosted by American comedian and television host Jay Leno. It was Palmer's last appearance on the show.

Track listing

1. "Know by Now (Radio Edit)" - 4:01
2. "Mercy, Mercy Me / I Want You" - 5:58

1. "Know by Now (Radio Edit)" - 4:01
2. "In the Stars" - 4:51
3. "Simply Irresistible" - 4:14
4. "Mercy, Mercy Me / I Want You" - 5:58

1. "Know by Now (Radio Edit)" - 4:01
2. "In the Stars" - 4:51
3. "Know by Now (Pinaxa Mix)" - 5:26
4. "She Makes My Day" - 4:15

1. "Know by Now (Radio Edit)" - 4:01
2. "In the Stars" - 4:51
3. "Know by Now (Pinaxa Mix)" - 5:26
4. "She Makes My Day" - 4:15
5. "Girl U Want" - 2:24

1. "Know by Now (Radio Edit)" - 4:01

Critical reception

In the review for the album Honey, allmusic.com mentioned the song, writing "Highlights include "Know by Now," a tasty mid-paced rocker."

Personnel