If You Don't Know Me by Now

"If You Don't Know Me by Now"
Single by Simply Red
from the album A New Flame
B-side	"Move on Out"
Released	March 27, 1989
Genre	Blue-eyed soul; jazz;
Length	3:24
Label	Elektra
Songwriter(s)	Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Producer(s)	Stewart Levine
Simply Red singles chronology
Music video
	"If You Don't Know Me by Now" on YouTube

"If You Don't Know Me by Now"
Single by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
from the album I Miss You
B-side	"Let Me Into Your World"
Released	11 September 1972[1]
Recorded	1972
Genre	R&B, soul
Length	3:27
Label	Philadelphia International Records
Songwriter(s)	Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Producer(s)	Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes singles chronology

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and recorded by the Philadelphia soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. It became their first hit after being released as a single in September 1972, topping the US R&B chart and peaking at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[2]

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" was originally written for Labelle (a trio led by Patti LaBelle) but they never recorded it. Much like the issue with "I Miss You" and The Dells passing on it, the song's composers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff gave it to Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, which featured Teddy Pendergrass as lead vocalist. In addition to the single release, the track was included on their debut album I Miss You.

Patti LaBelle later made the song part of her concert repertoire in 1982; a live version appears on her 1985 album, Patti.

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" has since been recorded by a number of other artists, most notably the English pop and soul band Simply Red, who took their version to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.

The song was chosen as one of the "Songs of the Century" by the RIAA.

Chart history

Weekly charts

Chart (1972–73)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)
Canada RPM Top Singles[3]	52
Ireland (IRMA)[4]	16
UK Singles (OCC)[5]	9
US Billboard Hot 100[6]	3
US Billboard R&B	15
US Cash Box Top 100[7]	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1972)	Rank
US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)[8]	38

Chart (1973)	Rank
US Cash Box [9]	86

Simply Red version

Simply Red's version of "If You Don't Know Me by Now" was a major commercial success on the charts in 1989, giving the band their second US number one (also topping the Adult Contemporary chart), and peaking at number 38 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[10] This version also won the Grammy Award for the Best R&B Song of 1989.[11] The track was also a number-one hit in Australia and New Zealand; in the latter country, it was the best-selling single of 1989. It reached number 2 in the UK, becoming the band's second top-10 hit after the re-issue of "Holding Back the Years" in 1986, which also reached number 2.

According to the producer Stewart Levine, he didn't want too much orchestration on the record, and went with a two-part harmony instead of a three-part harmony. Mick Hucknall admitted he loved Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' version, and stated he danced to their music when he was 13.[12]

This version can be heard in the films American Psycho (2000) and Class Action (1991) and appears in the game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol. It is also available to download for the Xbox 360 game Lips, which contains the music video.

Track listings

7-inch single

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" – 3:23
"Move on Out" (recorded Live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 5:18

12-inch single

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" – 3:23
"Move on Out" (recorded live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 5:18
"Shine" (recorded live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 3:30

3-inch CD single

"If You Don't Know Me by Now" – 3:23
"Move on Out" (recorded live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 5:18
"Shine" (recorded live Manchester on February 22, 1989) – 3:30
"Sugar Daddy" – 3:30

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[13]	1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14]	9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[15]	5
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[16]	3
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[17]	5
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[18]	6
France (SNEP)[19]	11
Ireland (IRMA)[20]	4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[21]	3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[22]	5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[23]	1
Norway (VG-lista)[24]	2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[25]	2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[26]	12
UK Singles (OCC)[27]	2
US Billboard Hot 100[28]	1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[29]	1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[30]	38
US Cashbox Top 100[31]	2
West Germany (Official German Charts)[32]	19

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)	Position
Australia (ARIA)[33]	13
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[34]	29
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[35]	28
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[36]	12
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[37]	43
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[38]	18
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[39]	48
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[40]	1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[41]	38
US Billboard Hot 100[42]	24
West Germany (Official German Charts)[43]	88

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[33]	Gold	35,000^{^}
New Zealand (RMNZ)[44]	Gold	5,000^*
Sweden (GLF)[45]	Gold	25,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)[46]	Silver	200,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)[47]	Gold	500,000^{^}
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^{^}shipments figures based on certification alone

Other versions

American soul singer Lyn Collins recorded her version on her album "Check Me Out if You Don't Know Me by Now" released in 1975 and produced by James Brown.
Jamaican reggae artists Zap Pow recorded their version of the song in 1976.[48]
South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela included the song on his 1989 album Uptownship.
A version by American country music artist Joe Stampley peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1989.[49]
British actor/comedian Ricky Gervais performed the song as his character David Brent in the UK TV series The Office Christmas specials in December 2003. A full music video was produced and released with the DVD set.
In 2004, saxophonist Gerald Albright recorded the song for the album Kickin' It Up.[50][51]
The musician Seal recorded the song for his 2008 album Soul. In April 2009, it became his first Top 10 Adult Contemporary hit since "Love's Divine" in 2004.[52] He was also subsequently nominated for the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Grammy.
R&B singer Ciara interpolated the chorus of the song for her 2009 single, "Never Ever", featuring Young Jeezy. The single is from her third album Fantasy Ride.
British artist Rod Stewart recorded a version for his 2009 album Soulbook.
The Voice of Holland contestant Ben Saunders performed the song for the 2010-11 competition. His recorded version went straight to number one in the Netherlands.
Country music artist Martina McBride released a version on her studio album Everlasting in 2014.
English band Blue released a version on their 2015 album Colours.
Whitney Reign performed the song during week four of the second season of The Four: Battle for Stardom.

References

http://www.45cat.com/record/zs73520
Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 393.
"Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1972-12-23. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
"The Irish Charts – Search Results – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
"Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 1973-01-13. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
Cash Box Top 100 Singles, December 2, 1972
Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1973
Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 528.
"Winners - 32nd Annual GRAMMY Awards (1989)". Recording Academy. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
Bronson, Fred (1992). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. p. 736. ISBN 0-8230-8298-9.
"Australian-charts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
"Austriancharts.at – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
"Ultratop.be – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
"Top RPM Singles: Issue 6403." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
"Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6438." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
"Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 17. April 29, 1989. p. 30. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
"Lescharts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in French). Les classement single.
"The Irish Charts – Search Results – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Irish Singles Chart.
"Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
"Dutchcharts.nl – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
"Charts.nz – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Top 40 Singles.
"Norwegiancharts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". VG-lista.
"Swedishcharts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Singles Top 100.
"Swisscharts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Swiss Singles Chart.
"Simply Red: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
"Simply Red Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
"Simply Red Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
"Simply Red Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
"Cashbox Top 100 Singles: July 15, 1989". Cashbox. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
"Offiziellecharts.de – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". GfK Entertainment Charts.
"1989 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
"Jahreshitparade Singles 1989" (in German). Retrieved November 6, 2020.
"Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
"Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM (magazine). Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
"Eurochart Hot 100 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. 6. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via World Radio History.
"Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
"Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
"End of Year Charts 1989". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
"Year-End Charts '89 – Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 3 March 1990. p. 16.
"Billboard Top 100 – 1989". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
"Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
"New Zealand single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
"Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
"British single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
"American single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 22, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
"Zap Pow - If You Don't Know Me By Now". YouTube. 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
Whitburn, Joel (2013). Hot Country Songs 1944–2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 319. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
"Kickin' It Up overview". Allmusic.com.
"Gerald Albright Biography". VerveMusicGroup.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
Chart Beat, Billboard.com, April 15, 2009.

External links

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes version song review on AllMusic

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] ttp://www.45cat.com/record/zs73520

[2] Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 393.

[3] "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1972-12-23. Retrieved 2020-05-07.

[sc_Ireland2_-4] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 7, 2020.

[5] "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 1973-01-13. Retrieved 2020-05-07.

[6] Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X

[7] Cash Box Top 100 Singles, December 2, 1972

[8] Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.

[9] Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1973

[10] Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 528.

[11] "Winners - 32nd Annual GRAMMY Awards (1989)". Recording Academy. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

[#1-12] Bronson, Fred (1992). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. p. 736. ISBN 0-8230-8298-9.

[sc_Australia_Simply_Red-13] "Australian-charts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". ARIA Top 50 Singles.

[sc_Austria_Simply_Red-14] "Austriancharts.at – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.

[sc_Flanders_Simply_Red-15] "Ultratop.be – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-16] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6403." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.

[sc_Canadaadultcontemporary_-17] "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6438." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.

[18] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 17. April 29, 1989. p. 30. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

[sc_France_Simply_Red-19] "Lescharts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in French). Les classement single.

[xyzzy-20] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Irish Singles Chart.

[sc_Dutch40_-21] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40

[sc_Dutch100_Simply_Red-22] "Dutchcharts.nl – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.

[sc_New_Zealand_Simply_Red-23] "Charts.nz – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Top 40 Singles.

[sc_Norway_Simply_Red-24] "Norwegiancharts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". VG-lista.

[sc_Sweden_Simply_Red-25] "Swedishcharts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Singles Top 100.

[sc_Switzerland_Simply_Red-26] "Swisscharts.com – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Swiss Singles Chart.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_Simply_Red-27] "Simply Red: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Simply_Red-28] "Simply Red Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Simply_Red-29] "Simply Red Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_Simply_Red-30] "Simply Red Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.

[31] "Cashbox Top 100 Singles: July 15, 1989". Cashbox. Retrieved January 3, 2021.

[sc_West_Germany_Simply_Red-32] "Offiziellecharts.de – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". GfK Entertainment Charts.

[ausye-33] "1989 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

[34] "Jahreshitparade Singles 1989" (in German). Retrieved November 6, 2020.

[35] "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

[36] "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM (magazine). Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 22, 2018.

[37] "Eurochart Hot 100 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. 6. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via World Radio History.

[38] "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

[39] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

[40] "End of Year Charts 1989". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 24 March 2018.

[41] "Year-End Charts '89 – Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 3 March 1990. p. 16.

[42] "Billboard Top 100 – 1989". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

[43] "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

[New_ZealandSimply_RedIf_You_Don't_Know_Me_by_NowsingleCertRef-44] "New Zealand single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 22, 2018.

[SwedensingleCertRef-45] "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved March 5, 2019.

[United_KingdomSimply_RedIf_You_Don't_Know_Me_by_NowsingleCertRef-46] "British single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

[United_StatesSimply_RedIf_You_Don't_Know_Me_by_NowsingleCertRef-47] "American single certifications – Simply Red – If You Don't Know Me by Now". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 22, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.

[48] "Zap Pow - If You Don't Know Me By Now". YouTube. 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2016-10-07.

[whitburn2013-49] Whitburn, Joel (2013). Hot Country Songs 1944–2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 319. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.

[50] "Kickin' It Up overview". Allmusic.com.

[51] "Gerald Albright Biography". VerveMusicGroup.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2010-06-20.

[52] Chart Beat, Billboard.com, April 15, 2009.

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Harold Melvin Bernard Williams Roosevelt Brodie Jesse Gillis, Jr. Franklin Peaker John Atkins Teddy Pendergrass Lawrence Brown Bernard Wilson Lloyd Parks Jerry Cummings Sharon Paige David Ebo Dwight Johnson William Spratelly Gil Saunders
Studio albums	I Miss You Black & Blue To Be True Wake Up Everybody Reaching for the World
Compilation albums	Collectors' Item: All Their Greatest Hits!
Singles	"If You Don't Know Me by Now" "The Love I Lost" "Bad Luck" "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon" "Wake Up Everybody" "Don't Leave Me This Way"
Related articles	Discography Philadelphia International Records
Book:Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

Patti LaBelle
Studio albums	Patti LaBelle Tasty It's Alright with Me Released The Spirit's in It I'm in Love Again Patti Winner in You Be Yourself Burnin' Gems Flame When a Woman Loves Timeless Journey Classic Moments The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle Bel Hommage
Christmas albums	This Christmas Miss Patti's Christmas
Live albums	Live! One Night Only
Singles	"You Are My Friend" "Release (The Tension)" "I Don't Go Shopping" "The Best Is Yet To Come" (with Grover Washington Jr.) "If Only You Knew" "Love Has Finally Come at Last" (with Bobby Womack) "Love, Need and Want You" "New Attitude" "Stir It Up" "If You Don't Know Me by Now (Part 1)" "On My Own" (with Michael McDonald) "Oh, People" "Kiss Away the Pain" "If You Asked Me To" "Yo Mister" "Feels Like Another One" "Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)" "When You've Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven)" "The Right Kinda Lover" "All This Love" "When You Talk About Love" "Does He Love You" "New Day" "Gotta Go Solo"
Related articles	Discography Labelle Labelle discography

Simply Red singles
Picture Book	"Money's Too Tight (to Mention)" "Come to My Aid" "Holding Back the Years" "Jericho" "Open Up the Red Box"
Men and Women	"The Right Thing" "Infidelity" "Maybe Someday..." "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" "I Won't Feel Bad"
A New Flame	"It's Only Love" "If You Don't Know Me by Now" "A New Flame" "You've Got It"
Stars	"Something Got Me Started" "Stars" "For Your Babies" "Thrill Me" "Your Mirror"
Life	"Fairground" "Remembering the First Time" "Never Never Love" "We're in This Together"
Greatest Hits	"Angel"
Blue	"Night Nurse" "Say You Love Me" "The Air That I Breathe" "Ghetto Girl" "To Be Free"
Love and the Russian Winter	"Ain't That a Lot of Love" "Your Eyes"
Home	"Sunrise" "Fake" "You Make Me Feel Brand New" "Home"
Simplified	"Perfect Love" "Something Got Me Started/A Song for You"
Stay	"Stay" "So Not Over You"

If You Don't Know Me by Now

Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Simply Red version

Track listings

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Other versions

See also

References

External links