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Portrait (He Knew)

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Wikipedia article




"'Portrait (He Knew)'" is a song by the American progressive rock band Kansas. It was written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh and was recorded for the band's fifth album, 'Point of Know Return'. The song was also released as a single after the success of "Point of Know Return" and "Dust in the Wind" and charted at #64 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. It was later released on the live and compilation albums 'Two for the Show', 'Live at the Whisky', 'Device, Voice, Drum', 'The Kansas Boxed Set',

'The Ultimate Kansas', 'Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection', 'Works in Progress', and 'Playlist: The Very Best of Kansas'. It appears in a number of different mixes and lengths: the original album version, the edited single version, a different single edit that appears as a bonus track on the European-only 1999 compilation 'Definitive Collection', and a new remix by the original producers Jeff Glixman as a bonus track on the CD remaster of its original parent album. It was also released on the DVDs of 'Device, Voice, Drum' and 'Works in Progress'.

Background



The inspiration for the song came from Kerry Livgren's admiration for Albert Einstein. He wrote the lyrics in a time when he was going through a spiritual transitional phase in his life, and after converting to Christianity, he re-recorded the song with his band AD, modifying the lyrics to make them fit the story of Jesus Christ and retitling the song "Portrait II".

Reception



'Billboard Magazine' described "Portrait (He Knew)" as "a rivieting, snarling rock number which winds up in a frenzied rock climax." 'Cash Box' said that "a strong bobbing beat provides a romping backdrop for the excellent and melodic singing." 'Ultimate Classic Rock' critic Eduardo Rivadavia rated "Portrait (He Knew)" as Kansas' 8th greatest song, saying it "exemplifies the sort of cerebral subject matter that inspired the group at the start of its career."

Chart history



References



Category:Kansas (band) songs

Category:1977 songs

Category:1978 singles

Category:Songs about Albert Einstein

Category:Songs about Jesus

Category:Song recordings produced by Jeff Glixman

Category:Songs written by Kerry Livgren

Category:Songs written by Steve Walsh (musician)

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