Searching (China Black song)

"Searching" is a song by British pop-reggae duo China Black, written and produced by the duo's instrumentalist, Simon Fung. It was originally released in June 1992 on the UK independent label Big One but did not become a chart success. In 1994, it was picked up by the Wildcard label of Polydor Records and re-released in the United Kingdom on 4 July 1994, charting at number four on the UK Singles Chart. It was then released worldwide on 8 August 1994 and experienced success in Flanders, France, Germany, Iceland, and Ireland.

"Searching"
1994 re-release cover artwork
Single by China Black
from the album Born
Released29 June 1992 (1992-06-29)
Recorded1991
StudioMetropolis (London)[1]
GenreReggae[1]
Length3:56
Label
  • Big One (1992)
  • Wildcard, Polydor (1994)
Songwriter(s)Simon Fung
Producer(s)Simon Fung
China Black singles chronology
"Searching"
(1992, 1994)		 "Stars"
(1994)
Audio
"Searching" on YouTube

Background and release

"Searching" was originally recorded in 1991 and released the following year; however, it did not become a hit, initially selling 10,000 to 15,000 copies. Two years after its original release, Johnny Lords of Jago, at the time known for his work with British singer Gabrielle, decided to pick up the single. At Lords' suggestion, the song was re-recorded to tone down its reggae sound in order to garner radio airplay and re-released on 4 July 1994 to British audiences. A month later, on 8 August 1994, "Searching" was given an international release.[1]

The re-release debuted at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart on 10 July 1994 and rose to its peak of number four on 7 August, where it stayed for two weeks.[2] On 1 August, the song was awarded a silver sales certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipping over 200,000 copies,[2] and it ended the year as the UK's 25th-highest-selling single.[3] In Ireland, the song debuted on the Irish Singles Chart on 4 August 1994 and peaked at number 11.[4] Following its international release, the song charted in Germany, Iceland, and the Flanders region of Belgium, peaking at numbers 82, 27, and 49, respectively.[5][6][7] In March 1995, the single charted in France, peaking at number 17 on 15 April and spending 11 weeks on the French Singles Chart.[8]

Critical reception

In 1994, Music & Media magazine said, "Through this single you get an idea what it would be like if Michael Jackson tried his luck on swingbeat. The current trend for slower beats would make the accompanying dance a lot easier".[9] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it four out of five, calling it a "catchy soulful reggae tune", that is now re-released with the "obligatory remixes." He added, "These do not do the song any favours, but the original sounds as fine as ever", and "it could now be the summer hit that it deserved to be all along."[10] Ralph Tee from the magazine's RM Dance Update agreed, "For me though, it's the original version which holds all the song's charm, and fortunately it's included here for all who missed out the first time."[11] Another editor, James Hamilton described the 1992 version as "a sweet reggae styled jogger".[12] In 1994, he deemed it a "tremulously crooning Errol Reid's superb soulful sweet slinky reggae swayer".[13]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] Silver 200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Label(s) Ref(s).
United Kingdom (original) 29 June 1992 Big One [12]
United Kingdom (re-release) 4 July 1994 Wild Card [1][22]
International 8 August 1994
[1]

References
  1. Tilli, Robbert (27 August 1994). "China Black Scores on the Belated Rebound" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 35. p. 11. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  2. "China Black: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  3. "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. 14 January 1995. p. 9.
  4. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Searching". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  5. "China Black – Searching" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  6. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (22.9.–28.9. '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 22 September 1994. p. 16. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  7. "China Black – Searching" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  8. "China Black – Searching" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  9. "New Releases – Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 32. 6 August 2020. p. 5. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  10. Beevers, Andy (18 June 1994). "Market Preview: Dance" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  11. Tee, Ralph (4 June 1994). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week. p. 6. Retrieved 17 April 2021 – via Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert).
  12. Hamilton, James (27 June 1992). "DJ Directory: Out on Monday" (PDF). Music Week. p. 5. Retrieved 2 October 2020 – via Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert).
  13. Hamilton, James (25 June 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week. p. 5. Retrieved 17 April 2021 – via Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert).
  14. Searching (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). China Black. Big One Records. 1992. VV BIG 29.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Searching (European maxi-CD single liner notes). China Black. Wildcard Records. 1994. 853651-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. Searching (Dutch CD single liner notes). China Black. Wildcard Records. 1994. 853130-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 4 July 1992. p. 22. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  18. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 34. 20 August 1994. p. 23. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  19. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  20. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  21. "British single certifications – China Black – Searching". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  22. "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week. 2 July 1994. p. 25. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
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