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To Miss Someone

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Wikipedia article




"'To Miss Someone'" is a song by American singer Maria McKee, released in 1989 as the second single from her debut studio album 'Maria McKee'. The song, written by McKee and produced by Mitchell Froom, was covered by Northern Irish singer Feargal Sharkey in 1991.

Background



McKee was inspired to write "To Miss Someone" after the split of her band Lone Justice in 1987. She revealed in 1989, "It was pretty much an all-time low. I loved that band. I went to New York having left my boyfriend and my band and, it's true, pain does make you write better songs, but I wouldn't want to go through it for the sake of the song."

Release



"To Miss Someone" was issued as McKee's second single in the US in August 1989. It was issued as a single in the UK and Germany in October 1990.

Music video



The song's music video was directed by Jesse Dylan. It achieved light rotation on VH1.

Critical reception



Upon its release as a single in the US, 'Billboard' picked "To Miss Someone" as "new and noteworthy" and described the "heart warming and comforting easy-paced ballad" as "lyrically astute and expertly produced by Froom". They added, "[The] song should be embraced by adult contemporary programmers, boding well for acceptance at the pop level. Has the potential to be a sleeper." The 'Gavin Report' commented, "McKee gives justice to a feeling we have all felt at one time or another. Her musical and writing approach is eloquently heard on this track. The lady definitely can stand alone."

In a review of 'Maria McKee', Holly Crenshaw of 'The Atlanta Journal-Constitution' described the song as a "quiet lament" on which McKee "shad[es] her voice with tentativeness" and "explores how a failed relationship can leave one person with a pathetic obsession for the other". Len Righi of 'The Morning Call' noted how McKee "goes from breathy edge of panic to full-throated roar" on the track.

In the UK, David Stubbs of 'Melody Maker' was critical of the song, considering it to be "smalltown FM fare, with Maria bleating demurely about a broken heart only to be interrupted by a church organ solo as if our cup of joy were not full enough already". He added, "An obviously vapid follow-up to 'Show Me Heaven'. Wasn't this girl supposed to be, like, good once?"

Track listing



'CD promotional single (US)'

#"To Miss Someone" (Edit) 3:45

#"To Miss Someone" (LP Version) 3:51

'7-inch single (UK and Germany)'

#"To Miss Someone" (Edit) 3:43

#"Nobody's Child" 3:56

'7-inch single (Australia)'

#"To Miss Someone" 3:51

#"Drinkin' in My Sunday Dress" 3:29

'12-inch single (UK)'

#"To Miss Someone" (Edit) 3:43

#"Nobody's Child" 3:56

#"Breathe" 4:32

'CD single (UK and Germany)'

#"To Miss Someone" (Edit) 3:43

#"Nobody's Child" 3:56

#"Breathe" 4:32

Personnel



'Production'

* Mitchell Froom producer

* Bruce Brody associate producer

* Tchad Blake engineer

* Gary Gersh executive producer

Charts



Feargal Sharkey version



Northern Irish singer Feargal Sharkey covered "To Miss Someone" on his third and final studio album 'Songs from the Mardi Gras' (1991). Produced by Barry Beckett, it was released as the third single from the album. Sharkey had previously recorded the McKee-penned "A Good Heart" which reached the UK number one spot in 1985.

Critical reception

In a review of 'Songs from the Mardi Gras', Paul Sexton of 'Select' described "To Miss Someone" as a "pretty obvious attempt to re-create the conditions of 'A Good Heart'".

Track listing

'7-inch and cassette single (UK)'

#"To Miss Someone" 3:41

#"I'll Take It Back" (Live) 3:57

'CD single (UK)'

#"To Miss Someone" 3:41

#"I'll Take It Back" (Live) 3:57

#"Never Never" (The Assembly) 3:46

#"Miss You Fever" (Instrumental) 4:11

Personnel

'Production'

* Barry Beckett producer on "To Miss Someone" and "Miss You Fever"

* Justin Niebank mixing on "To Miss Someone" and "Miss You Fever"

* Feargal Sharkey producer on "I'll Take It Back"

* Andy Mason mixing on "I'll Take It Back"

* The Assembly producers on "Never Never"

'Other'

* Idest sleeve design

* Peter Smith photography

Charts



References



Category:1989 songs

Category:1989 singles

Category:1990 singles

Category:1991 singles

Category:Feargal Sharkey songs

Category:Songs written by Maria McKee

Category:Song recordings produced by Mitchell Froom

Category:Song recordings produced by Barry Beckett

Category:Geffen Records singles

Category:Virgin Records singles

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