(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me
"(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" is a song by songwriting team Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Originally recorded as a demo by Dionne Warwick in 1963, "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" first charted for Lou Johnson, whose version reached No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1964.[1] Sandie Shaw took the song to No. 1 in the UK that same year, while the duo Naked Eyes had a No. 8 hit with the song in the US two decades later in 1983.
"(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" | ||||
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Single by Lou Johnson | ||||
B-side | "Wouldn't That Be Something" | |||
Released | 1964 | |||
Genre | Pop, soul | |||
Length | 2:58 | |||
Label | Big Hill | |||
Songwriter(s) | Burt Bacharach, Hal David | |||
Producer(s) | Burt Bacharach | |||
Lou Johnson singles chronology | ||||
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Sandie Shaw version
"(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" | ||||
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Single by Sandie Shaw | ||||
B-side | "Don't You Know" | |||
Released | September 1964 | |||
Recorded | 1964 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:42 | |||
Label | Pye, Reprise (US) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Burt Bacharach, Hal David | |||
Producer(s) | Tony Hatch | |||
Sandie Shaw singles chronology | ||||
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British impresario Eve Taylor heard Johnson's version while on a US visit scouting for material for her recent discovery Sandie Shaw, who consequently covered the song for the UK market. Rush-released in September 1964, the song was premiered by Shaw with a performance on Ready Steady Go!, the pop music TV program. The first week after its release, the single sold 65,000 copies.[2] Shaw's version reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks at the top of that listing in November 1964, and that same month it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. However, despite reaching the Top Ten in some markets including Detroit and Miami[3] Shaw's version failed to best the US showing of the Lou Johnson original; the Hot 100 peak of Shaw's version was No. 52.[4]
A No. 1 hit in Canada and South Africa, Shaw's version of "...Always Something There to Remind Me" was also a hit in Australia (No. 16), Ireland (No. 7) and the Netherlands (No. 10), the track's success in the last territory not precluding hit status for the Dutch rendering by Edwin Rutten entitled "Ik moet altijd weer opnieuw aan je denken" (No. 12). Shaw herself recorded "...Always Something There to Remind Me" in French, as "Toujours un coin qui me rappelle", with lyrics by Ralph Bernet, which reached No. 19 in France, and in Italian, as "Il Mondo Nei Tuoi Occhi". A cover by Eddy Mitchell was more successful, reaching No. 2 in France in April 1965 and also reaching No. 3 on Belgium's French-language chart. Shaw made a bid for a German hit as well, rendering "...Always Something There to Remind Me" as "Einmal glücklich sein wie die ander'n". It was not a success.
Charts
Chart (1964–65) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia | 16 |
Canada | 1 |
Ireland (Irish Singles Chart) | 7 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[5] | 10 |
New Zealand (Lever)[6] | 6 |
South Africa | 1 |
UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 1 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 52 |
US Cash Box Top 100[8] | 49 |
Chart (1965) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium | 3 |
France | 2 |
R. B. Greaves version
"Always Something There to Remind Me" | ||||
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Single by R. B. Greaves | ||||
from the album R.B. Greaves | ||||
B-side | "Oh When I Was a Boy" | |||
Released | 1969 | |||
Recorded | 1969 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:09 | |||
Label | Atco | |||
Songwriter(s) | Burt Bacharach, Hal David | |||
Producer(s) | Ahmet Ertegun, Jackson Howe | |||
R. B. Greaves singles chronology | ||||
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"(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" – as "Always Something There to Remind Me" – entered the US Top 40 for the first time via a version by R. B. Greaves which reached No. 27 in February 1970. Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 1969, with production by Ahmet Ertegun and Jackson Howe, Greaves' version was also a No. 3 Easy Listening hit.[9] This version peaked at number 48 in Australia.[10] In Canada, it reached number 12.[11]
Naked Eyes version
"Always Something There to Remind Me" | ||||
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Single by Naked Eyes | ||||
from the album Burning Bridges | ||||
B-side | "The Time Is Now" | |||
Released | 10 October 1982 | |||
Recorded | 1 September 1982 | |||
Studio | Abbey Road Studios, London, England | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Tony Mansfield | |||
Naked Eyes singles chronology | ||||
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Nearly 20 years after its composition, the song became a major hit in the United States for the first time via a synth-pop reinvention by Naked Eyes titled "Always Something There to Remind Me", which peaked inside the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1983.
Vocalist Pete Byrne and keyboardist Rob Fisher first cut "Always Something There to Remind Me" as one of a number of demos recorded in Bristol upon forming the duo later known as Naked Eyes in early 1982. Byrne would recall: "I had always loved the song "Always Something There to Remind Me" so we called a friend who had the record, he read the lyric over the phone and we put it together from memory."
On the strength of the demos cut in Bristol, Byrne and Fisher were signed to EMI Records in May 1982 and the track "Always Something There to Remind Me" was cut on 1 September 1982 in a session at Abbey Road Studios produced by Tony Mansfield. Byrne would recall: "The record was recorded at Abbey Road, and we were invited to a party downstairs, with Paul McCartney and many other stars...When we returned upstairs to the studio around 1 a.m., I decided to have a go at the vocal, it was the first time I have ever recorded a vocal in one take".[12]
Originally released in the UK in 1982, Naked Eyes' "Always Something There to Remind Me" gradually gained attention, entering the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1983 to peak at No. 8 that June, becoming the duos' only top 10 American hit.[13] The cachet of entering the US top 10 allowed the single, previously overlooked in its performers' United Kingdom homeland, to make a July 1983 UK chart debut, although it only rose to No. 59. "Always Something There to Remind Me" did afford Naked Eyes top 10 success in other countries besides the United States: Australia (No. 7), Canada (No. 9) and New Zealand (No. 2).[12]
Charts
Chart (1983) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[14][15] | 7 |
Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 9 |
New Zealand (RIANZ) | 2 |
UK Singles (OCC) | 59 |
US Billboard Hot 100[16] | 8 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[17] | 31 |
US Dance/Disco (Billboard) | 37 |
US Cash Box Top 100[18] | 7 |
Chart (1983) | Rank |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[15] | 42 |
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[19] | 60 |
New Zealand (RIANZ)[20] | 21 |
US Billboard Hot 100[21] | 46 |
US Cash Box Top 100[22] | 50 |
Tin Tin Out featuring Espiritu version
"Always (Something There to Remind Me)" | ||||
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Single by Tin Tin Out featuring Espiritu | ||||
from the album Always | ||||
Released | March 13, 1995[23] | |||
Genre | House | |||
Length |
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Label | WEA | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Tin Tin Out singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Always (Something There to Remind Me)" on YouTube |
English electronic music duo Tin Tin Out recorded a house cover of the song titled "Always (Something There to Remind Me)" in 1995. The song features vocals by French singer Espiritu (aka Vanessa Quinones) and went to No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart. A music video was made to accompany the single, filmed in the Café de Paris in London.[24]
Critical reception
A reviewer from Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "The first thing she reminds you of is all the previous versions of this Burt Bacharach & Hal David song. Spirited and dancey as it is, it doesn't make a poor figure at all."[25] Brad Beatnik from Music Week's RM Dance Update commented, "This unabashed house cover of Dusty Springfield's 'Always Something There to Remind Me' is already on its way into the dancefloor history books thanks to its initial Hooj Choons release and its ability to whip a club into a total frenzy. Simple in its piano house format and chugging Euro rhythm, this is hardbag house at its purest and most joyful."[26] Another editor, James Hamilton, noted, "Vannessa calmly croons the title over piping wheezy organ and plonking piano in [a] naggingly effective simple jiggly chugging 0-129.7bpm [track]".[27]
Track listings
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Always..." (original mix) | 6:59 |
2. | "Always..." (Tooley St mix) | 8:04 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Always (Something There to Remind Me)" (original edit) | 3:29 |
2. | "Always (Something There to Remind Me)" (Tooley St. edit) | 3:40 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Always (Something There to Remind Me)" (original edit) | 3:29 |
2. | "Always (Something There to Remind Me)" (Tooley St. edit) | 3:40 |
3. | "Always (Something There to Remind Me)" (original mix) | 6:58 |
4. | "Always (Something There to Remind Me)" (Tooley St. mix) | 8:02 |
5. | "Always (Something There to Remind Me)" (original instrumental) | 6:57 |
6. | "Always (Something There to Remind Me)" (Tooley St. instrumental) | 8:02 |
Charts
Chart (1994) | Peak position |
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UK Club Chart (Music Week)[28] | 49 |
Chart (1995) | Peak position |
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Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[29] | 42 |
Ireland (IRMA)[30] | 28 |
Scotland (OCC)[31] | 16 |
UK Singles (OCC)[32] | 14 |
UK Dance (OCC)[33] | 1 |
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[34] | 4 |
UK on a Pop Tip Club Chart (Music Week)[35] | 3 |
References
- "Artist Search for "lou johnson"". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- Billboard Magazine, October 1964. 31 October 1964. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
- Tim Warden. "ARSA | Sandie Shaw (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me". Las-solanas.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
- Sandie Shaw's charting singles Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- "Single Top 100 page for Always Something There To Remind Me". Retrieved 2013-09-11.
- "flavour of new zealand - Lever hit parades". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- Billboard. Billboard Magazine. November 14, 1964. p. 34. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
- "Cash Box Top 100 12/26/64". Tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- "Artist Search for "rb greaves"". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 129. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "RPM Top 100 Singles - March 7, 1970" (PDF).
- "Naked Eyes interview". Discog.info. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
- "Artist Search for "naked eyes"". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Kent Music Report – National Top 100 Singles for 1983". Kent Music Report. Retrieved January 22, 2023 – via Imgur.com.
- "Naked Eyes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 171.
- "Cash Box Top 100 7/02/83". Tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- "Top 100 Singles of 1983 – Volume 39, No. 17, December 24 1983". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- "End of Year Charts 1983". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- "Top 100 Hits of 1983/Top 100 Songs of 1971". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1983". Tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. March 11, 1995. p. 33. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- "Beats & Pieces" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). March 4, 1995. p. 12. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. October 22, 1994. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- Beatnik, Brad (February 25, 1995). "Hot Vinyl: Tune of the Week" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 12. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- Hamilton, James (March 18, 1995). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 15. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). October 1, 1994. p. 6. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 13. April 1, 1995. p. 20. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Always Something There to Remind Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). March 11, 1995. p. 8. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- "The RM on a Pop Tip Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). March 18, 1995. p. 10. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
Further reading
- Serene Dominic. Burt Bacharach, song by song: the ultimate Burt Bacharach reference for fans. Schirmer Trade (New York NY) 2003. ISBN 0-8256-7280-5
- Karina, Spanish pop singer, recorded a cover for Hispavox Records in 1966