I Know What I'm Here For

"I Know What I'm Here For" is a song by British rock band James. It was the first single released from their eighth studio album, Millionaires,[1] and reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart.

"I Know What I'm Here For"
Single by James
from the album Millionaires
Released1999
Length3:56
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Brian Eno

Background, release and reception

"It's about the meaning of life. It's also about the nature of being in a band: the fulfilment of adolescent fantasies of endless drugs, drink and sex. But unless there's self-discipline, it can easily become a nightmare… Initially we did it almost as a blues song, but [producer] Brian Eno came up with the wacky, space-funk hookline. It became the album's first single, to make an announcement that we'e gone into a new musical area." – Tim Booth, singer[2]

The single was released on CD and cassette and reached number 22 in the UK Top 40 chart, spending five weeks on the chart.[3]

A live version and a video appeared on the limited edition two-disc edition of Millionaires.

The backing to the song was used by Ford in adverts shown during broadcasts of the UEFA Champions League in the 2007/2008 football season.

Peter Buckley, in The Rough Guide to Rock, described it as an "effortless soaring track".[4] In contrast, Victoria Segal, reviewing the track for the NME, described it as "not interesting ... just silly".[5]

Track listing

CD1 (Fontana JIMCD 22)

  • "I Know What I'm Here For" – 3:56
  • "All Good Boys" – 4:13
  • "Imagine Ourselves" – 4:31

CD2 (Fontana JIMDD 22)

  • "I Know What I'm Here For"
  • "Downstairs"
  • "Stolen Horse"

Cassette (Fontana JIMMC22)

  • "I Know What I'm Here For"
  • "All Good Boys"

CD Maxi-single (Mercury 562 261-2)

  • "I Know What I'm Here For" – 3:56
  • "All Good Boys" – 4:13
  • "Imagine Ourselves" – 4:31
  • "Downstairs"

Charts
Chart (1999) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[6] 69
Scotland (OCC)[7] 14
UK Singles (OCC)[8] 22

References
  1. Carlson, Dean. "James – Millionaires". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  2. "Your guide to the best tracks from the best albums of 1999". Q. No. 160. January 2000. p. 3.
  3. "James". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  4. Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. p. 531. ISBN 978-1-8435-3105-0.
  5. Segal, Victoria (17 July 1999). "James : I know what I'm here for". NME. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  6. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16 no. 32. 7 August 1999. p. 8. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  8. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
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