I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)
"I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" is a song released by American singer Aretha Franklin and English singer George Michael as a duet in 1987.[3] The song was a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.[4] Billboard listed "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" as Franklin's all-time biggest Hot 100 single.[5] The song was Franklin's biggest hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number two.[6][7] The song was written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan and produced by Narada Michael Walden.[8] Franklin and Michael won a 1987 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)".[9][10]
"I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"
23 January 1987
1986
4:01
Reception and chart performance[edit]
The song was a one-off project that helped Michael achieve his ambition to sing with one of his favorite artists, and it reached number one on both the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100.[4] The song was Franklin's first and only UK number-one hit.[15]
In his book titled Dynamic Duets: The Best Pop Collaborations from 1955 to 1999, author Bob Leszczak described "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" as a "joyous and uplifting duet".[16]
Music video[edit]
The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan[17] and was filmed in Detroit.[18] It begins with George Michael and two bodyguards entering a dark room. There is a large viewing screen on the wall showing Aretha Franklin preparing for George Michael. Over the course of the video, each of the singers is shown performing the song both in front of the screen and on it. During the second verse, footage from both Franklin's and Michael's earlier careers is shown on the screen. As the second chorus ends, Michael joins Franklin on the stage, and footage of earlier famous duet pairs—Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Sonny and Cher, Ike and Tina Turner, and others—are shown on the viewing screen while Michael and Franklin sing the song's bridge. At the end of the video, Franklin winks at the camera.[19]