"Heaven Knows"
Single by Luther Vandross
from the album Never Let Me Go
ReleasedSeptember 7, 1993 (1993-09-07) (U.S., Europe)
RecordedOctober 1992–February 1993
Genre
Length4:26
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Marcus Miller
Luther Vandross singles chronology
"Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)"
(1993) 		"Heaven Knows"
(1993) 		"Never Let Me Go"
(1993)
Music video
"Heaven Knows" on YouTube

"Heaven Knows" is a song by American singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released in September 1993 as the second single from his eight studio album, Never Let Me Go (1993). The song peaked in the top 30 on both Billboard's Hot R&B Singles and the Hot Dance Club Play, and also at thirty-three on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Singles chart.[1]

"Heaven Knows" was nominated for Best R&B Song alongside "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)" (also from Never Let Me Go) at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in March 1994, losing to "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Familiar-sounding midtempo jam from Vandross' current Never Let Me Go collection shows the singer in fine form. Lovely melody and a memorable chorus are laid into retro rhythm that will work best with older audiences. Broader acceptance will come via sparkling dance remixes by Frankie Knuckles and David Morales."[2] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton stated, "One of the few soul artists in the traditional sense to still be having UK hits is Luther Vandross."[3] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it four out of five, naming it "one of the best tracks" of the album. He also complimented the Classic mix, that "is going to sound great on the radio".[4] James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update described "Heaven Knows" as "creamily flowing".[5]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single. It features NewsRadio actress Khandi Alexander appearing as one of the backup dancers. The video was published on YouTube in 2010 and had generated more than a half million views as of September 2021.[6]

Track listing

  1. "Heaven Knows" (Single Version) - 4:26
  2. "Heaven Knows" (Classic 12" Mix) - 8:00
  3. "I Want the Night to Stay" - 5:26

Charts

Chart (1993) Peak
position
Europe (European Dance Radio)[8] 7
Germany (Official German Charts)[9] 69
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 34
UK Dance (Music Week)[11] 5
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[12] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 94
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14] 24
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[15] 33

References

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 597.
  2. ^ Flick, Larry (August 14, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 53. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  3. ^ Masterton, James (September 12, 1993). "Week Ending September 18th 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  4. ^ Beevers, Andy (September 11, 1993). "Market Preview: Dance" (PDF). Music Week. p. 14. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  5. ^ Hamilton, James (September 11, 1993). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 6. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  6. ^ "Luther Vandross - Heaven Knows". YouTube. September 25, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  7. ^ "Heaven Knows" (UK Maxi-Single)
  8. ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. October 16, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "Luther Vandross – Heaven Knows" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  11. ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 18, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  12. ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). September 18, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  14. ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  15. ^ "Luther Vandross Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
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