Whispering Your Name

"Whispering Your Name" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Jules Shear. It was originally performed by Ignatius Jones in 1983, however Shear also recorded the song, which was issued as a single within months of Jones' recording and included on his 1983 album Watch Dog. It has been covered numerous times, including a charting version by Alison Moyet in 1994.

Ignatius Jones version

"Whispering Your Name" was issued as a single in Australia by Ignatius Jones in March 1983. The single peaked at exactly #100 on the Australian chart, but this and Jones' previous single ("Like A Ghost") were "hot dance club favourites among the gay community on the American west coast."[1]

Jules Shear version

Shear's original version was produced by Todd Rundgren, and was issued as a single in May, 1983 and included on Shear's 1983 album Watch Dog. The same album included the original version of "All Through The Night", which was later a hit for Cyndi Lauper. Shear later recorded an acoustic version of "Whispering Your Name" for his 1991 CD Unplug This.

Alison Moyet version
"Whispering Your Name"
Single by Alison Moyet
from the album Essex
B-side"F.O.S."
Released28 February 1994
GenrePop, Rock
Length3:49
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Jules Shear
Producer(s)Ian Broudie
Alison Moyet singles chronology
"Falling"
(1993)		 "Whispering Your Name"
(1994)		 "Getting into Something"
(1994)

In 1994, "Whispering Your Name" was released by English singer Alison Moyet as the second single from her fourth studio album Essex. It was produced by Ian Broudie.

"Whispering Your Name" became Moyet's eighth single to enter the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #18. It remained in the Top 100 for seven weeks.[2]

A promotional video was filmed for the single and featured an appearance from Dawn French. Moyet also performed the song live on the UK music show Top of the Pops.[3]

Background

In order for the Essex album to be released at all, CBS/Columbia insisted that certain Essex tracks were to be re-recorded and re-produced, and that there be additional material remixed to create a more 'commercial' package. "Whispering Your Name" was originally an acoustic ballad before being turned into an upbeat dance single. This was due to the lead single "Falling" failing to live up to the label's expectations. The original version of "Whispering Your Name" was placed on the Essex album.[4]

A remix of "Whispering Your Name" was created by Vince Clarke who was part of the early 1980s duo Yazoo with Moyet. This was the closest thing to a Yazoo reunion until their Reconnected tour in 2008.[4]

Music Video

The video shows Moyet in a room with a white background when French appears and starts jumping around and acting up in front of, kissing and licking the camera, causing Moyet to break character and start laughing. French then kisses Moyet, smudging her lipstick. French then accidentally knocks Moyet unconscious, so she starts to sing the song. Moyet starts to regain consciousness but is knocked out again when the microphone falls on her head. After miming to the remainder of the song, French faints and Moyet gets up and drags her away.

Critical reception

Upon release, Billboard said: "Images of Yaz will twirl in your head upon impact of this percolating pop/NRG ditty from the eternally underrated belter's new Essex collection. Her voice is in excellent shape and put to good use with a song that is instantly memorable. Producer Ian Broudie fleshes the track out with a synth-savvy arrangement that skirts the lines dividing modern pop radio and nightclubs."[5] Music & Media wrote: "Like the Bangles before her, Moyet dips into the back catalogue of Jules Shear for a tailor-made pop song with a back to Yazoo-roots synth flavour."[6] Lennox Herald wrote: "Great voice who is deserving of chart success but seems to be a touch unlucky recently in her choice of material. This track, however, might just do the business."[7]

Formats
12" Single
  1. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Mix)" - 4:57
  2. "Whispering Your Name (Vince Clarke Remix)" - 3:42
  3. "Hoodoo (Remix)" - 7:41
  4. "Back Where I Belong (Soft Mix)" - 5:32
12" Single (UK promo)
  1. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Mix)" - 4:57
  2. "Whispering Your Name (Dub)" -
CD Single (Europe)
  1. "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - 3:49
  2. "F.O.S." - 4:16
CD Single (Europe)
  1. "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - 3:49
  2. "Whispering Your Name (Album Version)" - 3:28
  3. "Whispering Your Name (Vince Clarke Remix)" - 3:42
  4. "Hoodoo (Remix)" - 7:41
  5. "Wishing You Were Here (Live)" - 3:49
  6. "Rise (Live)" - 3:06
CD Single (CD #2)
  1. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Mix)" - 4:57
  2. "Whispering Your Name (Vince Clarke Remix)" - 3:42
  3. "Hoodoo (Remix)" - 7:41
  4. "Back Where I Belong (Soft Mix)" - 5:32
CD Single (UK)
  1. "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - 3:51
  2. "Rise (Live)" - 3:08
  3. "Wishing You Were Here (Live)" - 3:50
  4. "Rock And Roll (Live)" - 2:14
CD Single (America)
  1. "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - 3:47
  2. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Mix)" - 4:57
  3. "Another Living Day" - 3:44
  4. "Rock And Roll (Live)" - 2:12
  5. "F.O.S." - 4:16
CD Single (American promo)
  1. "Whispering Your Name (Original Version)" - 3:26
  2. "Whispering Your Name (Single Version)" - 3:47
  3. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Single Mix)" - 4:57
  4. "Whispering Your Name (Vince Clarke Remix)" - 3:41

Chart performance
Chart (1994) Peak
position
Belgian Singles Chart[8] 31
German Singles Chart[9] 75
Japanese Tokio Hot 100[10] 43
UK Singles Chart[2] 18

Personnel
  • Producer on "Whispering Your Name" – Ian Broudie
  • Additional Producer, Remixer on "Whispering Your Name (Extended Remix) – Johnny Nitrate, Steve Rocket
  • Mixer on "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - Graham Dickson
  • Remixer of "Whispering Your Name (Remix)" - Vince Clarke
  • Remixer of "Hoodoo (Remix)" - François Kevorkian
  • Producer of "Hoodoo (Remix)" and "Another Living Day" - Pete Glenister
  • Remixer of "Back Where I Belong (Soft Mix)" - Ben Chapman
  • Producer of "Back Where I Belong (Soft Mix)" - Andy Cox, David Steele
  • Producers of "F.O.S." - Adrian Bushby, Pete Davis
  • Artwork Designer – Alison Moyet, Martin Jenkins
  • Photography – The Douglas Brothers

References
  1. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Jimmy and the Boys'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2.
  2. "ALISON MOYET | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  3. "Alison Moyet Whispering Your Name". YouTube. 2007-02-25. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  4. "Essex | Alisonmoyet.com – The Official Alison Moyet Site". Alisonmoyet.com. 2010-04-05. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  5. Billboard magazine - Singles reviews - 19 March 1994 - page 63
  6. "New Releases: Singles". Music & Media. 19 March 1994.
  7. "Latest releases". Lennox Herald. 11 March 1994.
  8. "Alison Moyet - Whispering Your Name". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  9. Steffen Hung. "Alison Moyet - Whispering Your Name". germancharts.de. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  10. "J-WAVE WEBSITE : TOKIO HOT100". J-wave.co.jp. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
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