"Heaven Knows" is a song by American singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released in September 1993 by Epic and Sony as the second single from his eight studio album, Never Let Me Go (1993). The song was written by Vandross with Reed Vertelney and produced by Marcus Miller. It peaked in the top 30 on both the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles and Hot Dance Club Play charts, and also at thirty-three on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Singles chart.[1] "Heaven Knows" was nominated for Best R&B Song alongside "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)" (also from Never Let Me Go) at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in March 1994, losing to "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson.
| "Heaven Knows" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Luther Vandross | ||||
| from the album Never Let Me Go | ||||
| Released | September 7, 1993 (US, Europe) | |||
| Recorded | October 1992–February 1993 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 4:26 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Marcus Miller | |||
| Luther Vandross singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Heaven Knows" on YouTube | ||||
Critical reception
editLarry Flick from Billboard commented, "Familiar-sounding midtempo jam from Vandross' current Never Let Me Go collection shows the singer in fine form. Lovely melody and a memorable chorus are laid into retro rhythm that will work best with older audiences. Broader acceptance will come via sparkling dance remixes by Frankie Knuckles and David Morales."[2] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton stated, "One of the few soul artists in the traditional sense to still be having UK hits is Luther Vandross."[3] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it four out of five, naming it "one of the best tracks" of the album. He also complimented the Classic mix, that "is going to sound great on the radio".[4] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described "Heaven Knows" as "creamily flowing".[5]
Music video
editA music video was produced to promote the single. It features NewsRadio actress Khandi Alexander appearing as one of the backup dancers. The video was later made available on Vandross' official YouTube channel in 2010 and had generated more than a half million views as of September 2021.[6]
Track listing
edit- UK CD single[7]
- "Heaven Knows" (Single Version) - 4:26
- "Heaven Knows" (Classic 12" Mix) - 8:00
- "I Want the Night to Stay" - 5:26
Charts
edit| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[8] | 174 |
| Europe (European Dance Radio)[9] | 7 |
| Germany (GfK)[10] | 69 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[11] | 34 |
| UK Airplay (Music Week)[12] | 24 |
| UK Dance (Music Week)[13] | 5 |
| UK Club Chart (Music Week)[14] | 7 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[15] | 94 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] | 24 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[17] | 33 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[18] | 73 |
References
edit- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 597.
- ^ Flick, Larry (August 14, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 53. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Masterton, James (September 12, 1993). "Week Ending September 18th 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
- ^ Beevers, Andy (September 11, 1993). "Market Preview: Dance" (PDF). Music Week. p. 14. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ Hamilton, James (September 11, 1993). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 6. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Luther Vandross - Heaven Knows". YouTube. September 25, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
- ^ "Heaven Knows" (UK Maxi-Single)
- ^ "Luther Vandross ARIA Chart History complete to 2024". ARIA. Retrieved July 26, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
- ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 42. October 16, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ "Luther Vandross – Heaven Knows" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. September 25, 1993. p. 30. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 18, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). September 18, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LVII, no. 6. October 2, 1993. p. 12. Retrieved April 22, 2024.