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"Every Kinda People" is a song originally performed by English singer Robert Palmer on his 1978 album Double Fun. It was released as the album's lead single in March 1978. The song was written by Andy Fraser.[4]
| "Every Kinda People" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Robert Palmer | ||||
| from the album Double Fun | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 24 March 1978[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Andy Fraser | |||
| Producer(s) | Tom Moulton | |||
| Robert Palmer singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Every Kinda People" (1992 remix) on YouTube | ||||
Original version edit
The song reached number 53 in the United Kingdom[5] and at number 16 in the United States, making Palmer's first top 40 hit on that country.[6] The original version also charted on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at number 22.[7]
1992 remix edit
Palmer released a re-mixed version of this song on his 1992 compilation album Addictions: Volume 2, as the lead single from that album, ultimately becoming a radio hit, peaking at number 8 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[7] In the UK, the remix did better than its original 1978 release, peaking at number 43.
Most noteworthy is the near-absence of Bob Babbitt's bass-heavy guitar hook, replaced by an acoustic guitar figure, giving it an "unplugged" feel as was the fashion at the time by well-established artists remaking past hits as acoustic numbers.
Charts edit
1978 original version edit
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC) | 53 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 16 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[7] | 22 |
1992 remix edit
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe (European Dance Radio)[8] | 20 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 43 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 8 |
Cover versions edit
With its blend of Caribbean steel pan, violins and moving lyrics, "Every Kinda People" has become one of Palmer's best-loved songs, covered multiple times by other artists including the Mint Juleps (1987), Randy Crawford (1989), Chaka Demus and Pliers (1996), Amy Grant (1996), Jo O'Meara of S Club (2002), Joe Cocker (2004) and Ana Popović (2013), and cited by music fans and spiritual groups for its positive message of peace and multiculturalism.[citation needed]
Sampling edit
The same melody as in the chorus of the song "Every Kinda People" is used in the following five songs: Van Morrison's 1982 song "Dweller on the Threshold", Terence Trent D'Arby's 1987 song "Dance Little Sister", U Škripcu's 1991 song "Izgleda da mi smo sami", Michael Jackson's 1997 song "Blood on the Dance Floor", and Nino's 1998 song "Ko te samo takne".
Personnel edit
- Robert Palmer – vocals, guitar
- Paul Barrere and Freddie Harris – guitar
- James Alan Smith – keyboards
- Bob Babbitt – bass
- Allan Schwartzberg – drums
- Robert Greenridge – steel drums
- Jody Linscott – percussion
References edit
- ^ "Music Week" (PDF). Music Week. 11 March 1978. p. 62. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (4 December 2020). "The Number Ones: Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love"". Stereogum. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ Giles, Jeff (26 September 2013). "Top 10 Robert Palmer Songs - Ultimate Classic Rock". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ "Andy Fraser - Writing credits". Discogs.com. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ^ "officialcharts.com". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 641.
- ^ a b c Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 189.
- ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. 14 March 1992. p. 24. Retrieved 31 October 2021.