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Wikipedia article"'Don't Know Much'" is a song written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil and Tom Snow. Mann was the first to record the song in 1980, gaining a minor chart hit in the US. The song was made famous when it was covered as a duet by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville in 1989. Their version was a worldwide success, topping the Irish Singles Chart and reaching the top 10 in several territories. HistoryThe song first appeared on Barry Mann's self-titled 1980 album, released on Casablanca records. Bill Medley scored a 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart success with it rising to number 88 in April 1981. The next month, the song hit number 29 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Bette Midler recorded a version with changed lyrics under the title "All I Need to Know", charting at number 77 in 1983. In 2000, Barry Mann re-recorded the song with Brenda Russell on his album 'Soul and Inspiration', released on Atlantic Records. Bill Medley versionIn 1981, American singer-songwriter Bill Medley covered the song for his eighth studio album Sweet Thunder. Medley's version was a minor hit, reaching Number 88 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number 29 on the US Adult Contemporary chart. ChartsBette Midler versionIn 1983, American actress and singer Bette Midler covered the song for her 1983 album No Frills under the name "All I Need to Know", with changed lyrics. Midler's version reached Number 39 on the Billboard Hot Adult contemporary chart, Number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Number 5 on the RPM Adult contemporary chart, having its highest peak there. ChartsLinda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville version{{Infobox song | name = Don't Know Much | cover = Linda Ronstadt Don't Know Much.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Linda Ronstadt featuring Aaron Neville | album = Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind | released = September 12, 1989 | format = | recorded = | studio = Skywalker Ranch, Marin County | venue = | genre = Pop | length = 3:35 | label = Elektra | writer = | producer = | chronology = Linda Ronstadt | prev_title = Wildflowers | prev_year = 1988 | next_title = All My Life | next_year = 1989 | misc = }} The song was covered on Linda Ronstadt's triple-platinum 1989 album 'Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind'. It was introduced to Ronstadt and Neville by Steve Tyrell. Co-produced by Tyrell and Peter Asher, it was released as a single in the United States in 1989, peaking at number two on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and number one on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. The single was Ronstadt's 10th top-10 hit and was certified Gold, eventually selling over 900,000 copies in the United States. In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song also peaked at number one in Ireland, number two in Australia, and reached the top five in Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. "Don't Know Much" won Ronstadt and Neville the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and was nominated for Song of the Year. Critical receptionThe song received favorable reviews from music critics. A reviewer from 'Billboard' deemed it "a strong send-off." Swedish newspaper 'Expressen' called it "heavenly". They added, "What a lovesong."'Expressen'. November 6, 1989. Cary Darling from 'Orange County Register' labeled it as a "soaring, wide-screen ballad." Jan DeKnock from 'Orlando Sentinel' described the song as "a killer ballad." 'People Magazine' wrote that "their voices fuse like sunlight beaming through a stained-glass window." James Hunter of 'Rolling Stone' said that it is "brilliant". Californian newspaper 'Santa Cruz Sentinel' called it a "tender love ballad duet."Music videoIn the music video, both Neville and Ronstadt portray a middle-aged couple that are remembering their past and all the difficulties that they seem to have faced together.Track listingPersonnel* Linda Ronstadt - Vocals* Aaron Neville - Vocals *Don Grolnick - Piano * Mike Landau - Electric guitar * Lee Sklar - Bass *Carlos Vega- Drums * Michael Fisher - Percussion * Robbie Buchanan - Keyboard * Skywalker Symphony Orchestra - arranged and conducted by David Campbell ChartsWeekly charts Year-end charts All-time charts CertificationsReferencesCategory:1980 songs Category:1981 singles Category:1989 singles Category:Linda Ronstadt songs Category:Aaron Neville songs Category:Bill Medley songs Category:Bette Midler songs Category:Malefemale vocal duets Category:Songs written by Tom Snow Category:Songs written by Barry Mann Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles Category:Songs with lyrics by Cynthia Weil Category:Elektra Records singles Category:Song recordings produced by Peter Asher | |
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