You Don't Know (Cyndi Lauper song) explained

You Don't Know
Cover:You_dont_know.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Cyndi Lauper
Album:Sisters of Avalon
B-Side:"Mother" (Extended Mix)
Released:October 2, 1996 (Japan)[1]
January 20, 1997 (U.K.)
April 15, 1997 (U.S.)
Recorded:1996
Length:5:14
Label:Epic
Prev Title:Come On Home
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:Sisters of Avalon
Next Year:1997

"You Don't Know" is a song by American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper, released by Epic as the first single from Lauper's fifth album, Sisters of Avalon (1997). Remixes of the song were made by several producers such as Tony Moran and Junior Vasquez. It peaked at number 27 in the UK, while peaking at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song contains the word "bullshit" and was not edited out of the UK singles as is typical. While performing on several UK shows, such as Noel's House Party, she skipped the word. The music video for the song was directed by Lauper.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Lauper unveils her new Sisters Of Avalon collection, offering a tune that is far more biting and intelligent than fluffy past hits like "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" and "She Bop". If programmers can move beyond the singer's old cartoonish image, they will discover an artist and music worthy of placement alongside the likes of Alanis Morissette." He added further, "The original version of "You Don't Know" unfolds with a jittery funk beat and jangly guitars that deserve a listen at modern rock radio. Redrafted by Tony Moran, the song becomes an anthemic disco revelation that popsters will love. Add the underground club perspective of remixers Prince Quick Mix and Junior Vasquez, and you have a single that aims to hit every possible mark. The next step is for people to listen."[2]

Kevin Courtney from Irish Times said, "The unusual girl is back at last, and that Hazel O'Connor-on-helium voice still has that girlie edge, but as the song builds in intensity, she sounds in danger of totally eclipsing Bonnie Tyler in the overkill department, and when she prances around in her new video, she looks like she's stuck in a jerky 1980s movement. A pleasant, nondescript attempt at resurgence from a lady out of time."[3] Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian commented, "And who else could endow the word 'bullshit' with such fervour while denouncing US politics on "You Don't Know"?"[4] A reviewer from Music Week gave it four out of five, noting that "Lauper's trademark vocal performance is more restrained for this nicely produced, acoustic-style pop song. A certain airplay hit, expect massive sales success, too."[5]

Music video

The accompanying music video for the song was recorded in Washington Square, New York City in the beginning of September 1996. Lauper directed it herself. The little Japanese boy who closes the video is called Grayson. The 6-year-old boy was hand-picked by Lauper.

Track listing

  1. "You Don't Know" (Radio Edit) – 4:06
  2. "You Don't Know" (TM's Single Remix) – 4:23
  3. "That's What I Think" – 4:38
  1. "You Don't Know" (Single Mix) - 4:06
  2. "You Don't Know" (TM's Single Remix) - 4:23
  3. "You Don't Know" (Junior Vasquez Remix Edit) - 3:34
  4. "You Don't Know" (TM's Know It All Mix) - 10:06
  5. "You Don't Know" (Junior Vasquez Remix) - 7:51
  1. "You Don't Know" (Radio Edit) – 3:59
  2. "You Don't Know" (Album Version) – 5:14
  3. "Mother" (Extended Version) – 6:11
  1. "You Don't Know" (Album Version) - 5:14
  2. "Mother" (Extended Mix) - 6:12
  1. "You Don't Know" (Radio Edit) – 4:06
  2. "You Don't Know" (Junior Vasquez Remix) – 7:45
  3. "You Don't Know" (Junior Vasquez Dub) – 6:45
  4. "Mother" (Extended Mix) – 6:12
  1. "You Don't Know" (Album Version) - 5:13
  2. "Time After Time" - 3:58
  3. "True Colors" - 3:46
  4. "I Drove All Night" - 4:11
  1. "You Don't Know" (Radio Edit) - 4:06
  2. "You Don't Know" (Junior Vasquez Remix) - 7:51
  3. "You Don't Know" (Tribal Beats) - 4:33
  4. "Mother" (Extended Mix) - 6:12

A1. "You Don't Know" (TM's Know It All Mix) - 10:00

A2. "You Don't Know" (TM's Know You're in the Hole Dub) - 5:30

B1. "You Don't Know" (Prince Quick Mix's Amped Up Pass) - 6:35

B2. "You Don't Know" (Junior's Riff Dub) - 6:09

A1. "You Don't Know" (Junior Vasquez Remix Edit) - 3:44

A2. "You Don't Know" (Junior Vasquez Remix) - 7:51

A3. "You Don't Know" (Junior Vasquez Dub) - 6:46

B1. "You Don't Know" (Album Version) - 5:14

B2. "You Don't Know" (TM's Single Remix) - 4:23

B3. "You Don't Know" (TM's Know It All Mix) - 10:06

B4. "You Don't Know" (TM's Know You're in the Hole Dub) - 5:33

Official versions

  1. Junior Vasquez Dub – 6:45
  2. Junior Vasquez Remix Edit – 3:34
  3. Junior's Riff Dub – 6:09
  4. Prince Quick Mix's Amped Up Pass – 6:35
  5. Radio edit – 3:59
  6. Tony Moran's Know It All Mix – 10:00
  7. Tony Moran's Know You're in the Hole Dub – 5:30
  8. Tony Moran's Single Remix – 4:23
  9. Tribal Beats – 4:33

Charts

Chart (1997)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[6] 177
Scotland (OCC)[7] 25
UK Singles (OCC)[8] 27
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[9] 11
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)[10] 16
US Hot Dance Music/Maxi Singles Sales (Billboard)[11] 16
Italian Airplay Charts [12] 6
European Airplay (European Hit Radio)[13] 47
Polish Airplay Charts [14] 4

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cyndi Lauper – You Don't Know (1996, CD). . 1996-10-02 .
  2. Larry . Flick . Reviews & Previews: Singles . . 1997-03-22 . 82 . 2020-12-04. Larry Flick.
  3. Courtney, Kevin (1997-02-07). "Single File". Irish Times.
  4. Sullivan, Caroline (1997-02-14). "Music: This week's pop CD releases". The Guardian.
  5. Reviews: Singles. Music Week. 1997-01-11. 21. 2022-05-05.
  6. Web site: Response from ARIA re: chart in inquiry, received 3 March 2017. Imgur.com. 2017-04-09.
  7. Web site: Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 26 January 1997 - 01 February 1997. Official Charts Company.
  8. Web site: Cyndi Lauper | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company. .
  9. Web site: Billboard. 1997-05-10.
  10. Cyndi Lauper - Chart history | Billboard. .
  11. Web site: Cyndi Lauper | Awards. AllMusic.
  12. National Airplay. Music & Media. 14. 6. February 8, 1997. 31. July 9, 2024.
  13. European Airplay Top 50. Music & Media. 14. 9. March 31, 1990. 21. July 9, 2024.
  14. National Airplay. Music & Media. 14. 10. March 8, 1997. 31. July 9, 2024.