I've Been Thinking About You

"I've Been Thinking About You" is a song by British-American band Londonbeat, released as the lead single from their second studio album, In the Blood (1990). The song was produced by Martyn Phillips,[1] and written by band members Jimmy Chambers, George Chandler, Jimmy Helms, and William Henshall. It became a major worldwide hit, reaching the number-one spot in more than 10 countries—including Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States—and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart.

For a song by Mariah Carey, see I've Been Thinking About You (Mariah Carey song).

"I've Been Thinking About You"
Single by Londonbeat
from the album In the Blood
B-side"9AM"
ReleasedSeptember 24, 1990 (1990-09-24)
Genre
Length
  • 5:17 (album version)
  • 3:49 (radio edit and video version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Jimmy Chambers
  • George Chandler
  • Jimmy Helms
  • William Henshall
Producer(s)Martyn Phillips[1]
Londonbeat singles chronology
"It Takes Two Baby"
(1989)		 "I've Been Thinking About You"
(1990)		 "A Better Love"
(1990)
Music video
"I've Been Thinking About You" on YouTube

Chart performance

"I've Been Thinking About You" was successful on the charts all over the world, peaking at number one in at least eleven countries and remains the band's biggest hit. In Europe, the song peaked at the number-one position in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100. Additionally, it reached number two in Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it peaked in its sixth week at the UK Singles Chart, on September 30, 1990.[2] It was held off reaching the top spot by Maria McKee's "Show Me Heaven". The song was also a top 10 hit in Denmark, Greece and Ireland. Outside Europe, "I've Been Thinking About You" hit number-one also on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the United States, the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada, and in Australia, Israel and Zimbabwe.

It was awarded with a gold record in Austria, Germany and the US, a silver record in the UK and a platinum record in Australia, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Jim Smith described the song as "soulful dance", noting that Londonbeat's "pleasant harmonies and pumping flow are undeniably catchy."[3] Another editor, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, called it "dazzling".[4] David Taylor-Wilson from Bay Area Reporter declared it as "infectious", remarking that the band "blends Motownlike harmonies with dance grooves that incorporate ’70s funk rhythms".[5] A reviewer from Billboard complimented its "tasty blend" an "an unshakable pop hook."[6] Steve Morse from Boston Globe declared it as "a catchy soul-funk ditty" and "a deserved hit".[7] Marisa Fox from Entertainment Weekly noted its "hypnotically catchy chorus, sweet harmonies, and slow, rollicking beat."[8] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented, "It's always a treat when a song comes along that I can't wait to review. Impossible not to detect a Fine Young Cannibals influence on this production that's been the biggest buzz record for the past couple of weeks." He added, "An international smash that's gone to #1 in no less than eleven countries, it's destined to win over audiences in the U.S.A., too. Top 40 radio is in dire need of more music like this!"[9]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "C&W-tinged pop number underpins the band's characteristic massed gospel vocal style complete with jangling, melodic guitars and the sort of chorus which they patently lacked on their debut LP Speak. The first release from the forthcoming second LP In the Blood shows a definite maturity."[10] David Giles from Music Week found that the band have "taken note of dancefloor developments and ditched the go go based rhythms of old for a deep-rooted funkiness and R&B influenced vocal."[11] Holden, Stephen from New York Times wrote, "Londonbeat is a textbook example of a group that recombines familiar pop-soul sounds in a personal and engaging way. Its single [...] blends the light, machine-driven rhythms of Soul II Soul with the post-Motown vocal style of Fine Young Cannibals."[12] Parry Gettelman from Orlando Sentinel noted that "its dance groove is blended with lush, postmodern R&B played on both synthesized and gen-u-ine instruments."[13] Ian Cranna from Smash Hits said the rhythm is "straight out of the Stock, Aitken & Watermans book of bounciness."[14] Bob Mack from Spin felt it "is too damn catchy."[15]

Impact and legacy

"I've Been Thinking About You" was awarded one of BMI's Pop Awards in the category for Million Performance Songs in 1993, honoring the songwriters, composers and music publishers of the song.[16]

Australian music channel Max included the song in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2013.[17]

American magazine Billboard placed "I've Been Thinking About You" at number 158 in their ranking of "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s" in 2019.[18]

Track listing and formats

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[64] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[65] Gold 25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[66] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[67] Platinum 100,000^
Sweden (GLF)[68] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[69] Silver 200,000^
United States (RIAA)[70] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other versions
  • In 2019, German DJ/producer, Klaas remixed a version of the song featuring newly recorded vocals from Londonbeat.[71]

See also

References
  1. "Martyn Phillips". Martyn Phillips. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  2. "Official Singles Chart Top 100 30 September 1990 - 06 October 1990". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  3. Smith, Jim. "Londonbeat - In the Blood". AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  4. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Londonbeat – Very Best of Londonbeat". AllMusic. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  5. Taylor-Wilson, David (April 4, 1991). "The Sounds Around". Bay Area Reporter. p. 42. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  6. "Album Reviews: New And Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. February 16, 1991. p. 70. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  7. Morse, Steve (March 28, 1991). "Record Review" Boston Globe.
  8. Fox, Marisa (March 22, 1991). "In the Blood". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  9. Sholin, Dave (January 25, 1991). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1840. p. 56. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  10. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. August 11, 1990. p. 12. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  11. Giles, David (August 11, 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 19. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  12. Holden, Stephen (April 10, 1991). "The Pop Life" New York Times.
  13. Gettelman, Parry (May 31, 1991). "Londonbeat" Orlando Sentinel.
  14. Cranna, Ian (October 3, 1990). "Review: LPs". Smash Hits. No. 309. p. 62. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  15. Mack, Bob (May 1991). "London Calling". Spin. p. 20. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  16. "BMI Congratulates" (PDF). Music Week. November 20, 1993. p. 2. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  17. "The Top 1,000 Greatest Songs Of All Time – 2013". Max. 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  18. "Greatest of All Time: Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s". Billboard. 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  19. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  20. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  21. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  22. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1498." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  23. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1517." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  24. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1495." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  25. "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 46. November 17, 1990. p. 11. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  26. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 40. October 6, 1990. p. 11. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  27. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
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  29. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  30. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 8. February 23, 1991. p. 30. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  31. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I've Been Thinking About You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  32. "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 49. December 8, 1990. p. 13. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  33. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Londonbeat" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
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  35. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". Top 40 Singles.
  36. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". VG-lista.
  37. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
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  39. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". Swiss Singles Chart.
  40. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  41. "Londonbeat Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  42. "Londonbeat Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  43. "Londonbeat Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  44. "Londonbeat Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  45. "Londonbeat Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  46. Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
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  54. "1991 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  55. "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved November 23, 2017 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  56. "RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved October 29, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  57. "RPM Dance Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved October 29, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
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  63. Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
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  65. "Austrian single certifications – London Beat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  66. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Londonbeat; 'I've Been Thinking About You')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  67. "Dutch single certifications – London Beat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter I've Been Thinking About You in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1990 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  68. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
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  70. "American single certifications – London Beat – I've Been Thinking About You". Recording Industry Association of America.
  71. Miller, Dan (May 22, 2019). "Klaas & Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". DJ Times.
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