You Know Me Better
Encyclopedia
"You Know Me Better" is a song by Irish recording artist Róisín Murphy
from her second solo studio album, Overpowered
. Co-written with and produced by Groove Armada
's Andy Cato
, the track was released as the album's third single
on 31 March 2008.
channel as of 4 January 2008. The art director
of the single was British graphic designer Scott King and the photographer was Jonathan de Villiers. The cover sees Murphy wearing a design by Givenchy
.
of The Times
described the song as "a rush of colour slowly surging outwards from a hook of pared-back austerity." Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy
gave the song four out of five stars, saying producer Andy Cato "lay[s] down a squelching disco groove that veers between early 90's house
and the sound of New Order
's 'Blue Monday
' being fiddled with by the Human League
. A typically sultry Murphy more than rises to the occasion, delivering the crisp, soothing vocals that earned Moloko
a flash of chart success at the start of the decade." Jax Spike of About.com
noted that the song "is a more up-tempo track that comes across as pure enchanted bliss with its tough, staccato
vocal and conventional, insistent chorus concealing a quite complex emotional position." Ben Hogwood, writing for musicOMH
, stated, "In some way that pushes it closer to a Groove Armada guest slot, but Murphy's vocals are strong enough to pull it back, a slice of electro-disco that may be polished within an inch of its life, but comes back for more with its yearning melody." Cpt H.M. 'Howling Mad' Murdock of Drowned in Sound
commented that "You Know Me Better" "mirrors Robyn
's recent chart achievements in icy cool style."
for "You Know Me Better" was directed by Canadian director Jaron Albertin and shot at a suburban home in Snaresbrook
, North East London
. It premiered on Murphy's official YouTube
channel on 11 March 2008 and features Murphy at different places in a house playing different characters, each one wearing a different outfit and hairstyle, inspired by the women depicted in the Untitled Film Stills series by American photographer Cindy Sherman
.
UK CD 2
UK promo CD single
UK 7" single
UK double 12" single
Digital single 1
(available exclusively on iTunes
and 7digital
)
Digital single 2
(available exclusively on iTunes, 7digital and Recordstore.co.uk)
Digital EP 1
Digital EP 2
Digital EP 3
Digital single
Róisín Murphy
Róisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style.Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her...
from her second solo studio album, Overpowered
Overpowered
Overpowered is the second solo studio album by Irish recording artist Róisín Murphy, released in Ireland on 12 October 2007 and in the United Kingdom and rest of Europe on 15 October 2007. The album was to be released in the United States in late 2008 or early 2009, but was cancelled by EMI due to...
. Co-written with and produced by Groove Armada
Groove Armada
Groove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
's Andy Cato
Andy Cato
Andy Cato is one half of the electronic dance band, Groove Armada, the other half being Tom Findlay. He is also involved with Rachel Foster in Weekend Players, another electronic dance group.-Early life:...
, the track was released as the album's third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on 31 March 2008.
Single cover
The photoshoot of the single artwork can be viewed on her official website and YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel as of 4 January 2008. The art director
Art director
The art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....
of the single was British graphic designer Scott King and the photographer was Jonathan de Villiers. The cover sees Murphy wearing a design by Givenchy
Givenchy
Givenchy is a French brand of clothing, accessories, perfumes and cosmetics with Parfums Givenchy.The house of Givenchy was founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy and is a member of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Pret-a-Porter...
.
Critical reception
"You Know Me Better" was well-received by music critics. Peter PaphidesPeter Paphides
Peter Paphides is a British journalist and broadcaster.Between 2005 and 2010 he was employed as the chief rock critic of The Times and presented The Times weekly music podcast for Sounds Music supplement...
of The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
described the song as "a rush of colour slowly surging outwards from a hook of pared-back austerity." Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
gave the song four out of five stars, saying producer Andy Cato "lay[s] down a squelching disco groove that veers between early 90's house
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
and the sound of New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
's 'Blue Monday
Blue Monday (New Order song)
"Blue Monday" is a single released in 1983 by British band New Order, and later remixed in 1988 and 1995. The song has been widely remixed and covered since its original release, and became a popular anthem in the dance club scene.-Background:...
' being fiddled with by the Human League
The Human League
The Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant...
. A typically sultry Murphy more than rises to the occasion, delivering the crisp, soothing vocals that earned Moloko
Moloko
Moloko were an Anglo-Irish electronic/pop duo consisting of Róisín Murphy from Wicklow, Ireland and Mark Brydon, from Sunderland, England.- Origin of band name :...
a flash of chart success at the start of the decade." Jax Spike of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
noted that the song "is a more up-tempo track that comes across as pure enchanted bliss with its tough, staccato
Staccato
Staccato is a form of musical articulation. In modern notation it signifies a note of shortened duration and separated from the note that may follow by silence...
vocal and conventional, insistent chorus concealing a quite complex emotional position." Ben Hogwood, writing for musicOMH
MusicOMH
musicOMH is a United Kingdom-based website which publishes independent reviews, featues and interviews from across all musical genres including classical, metal, rock and R&B.-History:...
, stated, "In some way that pushes it closer to a Groove Armada guest slot, but Murphy's vocals are strong enough to pull it back, a slice of electro-disco that may be polished within an inch of its life, but comes back for more with its yearning melody." Cpt H.M. 'Howling Mad' Murdock of Drowned in Sound
Drowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
commented that "You Know Me Better" "mirrors Robyn
Robyn
Robin Miriam Carlsson , better known by her stage name Robyn, is a Swedish recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Robyn became known in the late nineties for her worldwide dance-pop hit "Do You Know " from her debut album Robyn Is Here . She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen" for...
's recent chart achievements in icy cool style."
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "You Know Me Better" was directed by Canadian director Jaron Albertin and shot at a suburban home in Snaresbrook
Snaresbrook
Snaresbrook is an area of north-east London, mostly in the London Borough of Redbridge. A small part falls within the London Borough of Waltham Forest...
, North East London
North East (London sub region)
The North East is a sub-region of the London Plan corresponding to the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and the City of London. The sub region was established in 2008 and replaced the larger East sub region that had been...
. It premiered on Murphy's official YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel on 11 March 2008 and features Murphy at different places in a house playing different characters, each one wearing a different outfit and hairstyle, inspired by the women depicted in the Untitled Film Stills series by American photographer Cindy Sherman
Cindy Sherman
Cindy Sherman is an American photographer and film director, best known for her conceptual portraits. Sherman currently lives and works in New York City. In 1995, she was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship. She is represented by Sprüth Magers Berlin London in and Metro Pictures gallery in...
.
Track listings
UK CD 1- "You Know Me Better" (Radio Edit) – 3:50
- "Keep It Loose" – 3:26
UK CD 2
- "You Know Me Better" (Album Version) – 4:17
- "Pandora" – 3:56
- "You Know Me Better" (Guy Williams Vocal) – 7:09
- "You Know Me Better" (Toddla TToddla TToddla T is the stage name of Thomas Mackenzie Bell – a DJ, record producer, re-mixer and composer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.- Biography :Toddla T, born 22 February 1985, was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School...
Mix) – 3:07
UK promo CD single
- "You Know Me Better" (Radio Edit) – 3:50
- "You Know Me Better" (Album Version) – 4:17
- "You Know Me Better" (Instrumental) – 4:17
UK 7" single
- A. "You Know Me Better" (Radio Edit) – 3:50
- B. "Pandora" – 3:56
UK double 12" single
- A1. "You Know Me Better" (Album Version)
- A2. "You Know Me Better" (Trevor Loveys Vocal)
- B1. "You Know Me Better" (Guy Williams Vocal)
- B2. "You Know Me Better" (Samim Remix)
- C1. "You Know Me Better" (Album Instrumental)
- C2. "You Know Me Better" (Nightmoves Mix)
- D1. "You Know Me Better" (Trevor Loveys Dub)
- D2. "You Know Me Better" (Guy Williams Dub)
Digital single 1
(available exclusively on iTunes
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
and 7digital
7digital
7digital is a privately held digital media delivery company based in the United Kingdom, offering downloadable music, video and movies to customers primarily within major European markets...
)
- "You Know Me Better" (Live at Koko) – 7:30
Digital single 2
(available exclusively on iTunes, 7digital and Recordstore.co.uk)
- "You Know Me Better" (Samim Remix) – 6:02
Digital EP 1
- "You Know Me Better" (Radio Edit) – 3:42
- "Keep It Loose" – 3:34
- "Pandora" – 3:56
Digital EP 2
- "You Know Me Better" (Album Version) – 4:17
- "You Know Me Better" (Toddla TToddla TToddla T is the stage name of Thomas Mackenzie Bell – a DJ, record producer, re-mixer and composer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.- Biography :Toddla T, born 22 February 1985, was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School...
Vocal) – 3:07 - "You Know Me Better" (Guy Williams Dub) – 6:22
- "You Know Me Better" (Trevor Loveys Dub) – 5:16
Digital EP 3
- "You Know Me Better" (Album Version) – 4:17
- "You Know Me Better" (Guy Williams Vocal) – 7:07
- "You Know Me Better" (Trevor Loveys Vocal) – 7:02
- "You Know Me Better" (Nightmoves Mix) – 8:48
Digital single
- "You Know Me Better" (Andy Cato Alternative Mix) - 3:54
Official versions
- Radio Edit with album version intro
- Radio Edit with shortened intro
- Album Version
- Instrumental
- Live Version
- Demo Version (also known as Andy Cato Alternative Mix)
- Guy Williams Vocal
- Guy Williams Dub
- Nightmoves Mix
- Samim Remix
- Toddla TToddla TToddla T is the stage name of Thomas Mackenzie Bell – a DJ, record producer, re-mixer and composer from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.- Biography :Toddla T, born 22 February 1985, was raised in Sheffield where he attended King Edward VII School...
Vocal - Toddla T Nu Mix
- Trevor Loveys Vocal
- Trevor Loveys Dub
Personnel
- Róisín Murphy – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Dick Beetham – editor
- Andy CatoAndy CatoAndy Cato is one half of the electronic dance band, Groove Armada, the other half being Tom Findlay. He is also involved with Rachel Foster in Weekend Players, another electronic dance group.-Early life:...
– producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, instrumentationInstrumentation (music)In music, instrumentation refers to the particular combination of musical instruments employed in a composition, and to the properties of those instruments individually... - Ill Factor – additional producer
- Scott King – art directionArt directorThe art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....
, designGraphic designGraphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience... - Eric KupperEric KupperEric Kupper is an American keyboardist, arranger, songwriter, remix artist, DJ and record producer of French descent. Playing in bands in his formative years, he got his real start in the mid-1980s working as a keyboardist, guitarist, and songwriter for such producer/remixers as David Morales,...
– mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may... - Jonathan de Villiers – photographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
Charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Tip Chart (Flanders) | 13 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
47 |