"Should've Known Better" is a hit song written, composed, and performed by American rock singer Richard Marx. It was released in September 1987 as the second single from his Triple Platinum-selling self-titled debut album. The song peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 as well as #7 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1987 and #4 on the Radio & Records CHR/Pop Airplay chart.
| "Should've Known Better" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Richard Marx | ||||
| from the album Richard Marx | ||||
| B-side | "Should’ve Known Better (LP Version)" | |||
| Released | September 8, 1987 | |||
| Recorded | 1986 | |||
| Genre | Soft rock[1] | |||
| Length | 4:10 (album version) 3:38 (single mix) 4:32 (rock radio version) | |||
| Label | Manhattan | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Richard Marx | |||
| Producer(s) | Richard Marx | |||
| Richard Marx singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Marx became the first solo artist in recording history to reach the top three of the Billboard Hot 100 with four singles from a debut album.
In the lyrics, the speaker is still in love with an ex-lover and tortured by it, to the point of regretting falling in love with her.
The music video for the selection was directed by Dominic Sena.
Personnel edit
- Richard Marx – lead and backing vocals
- Tom Keane – keyboards
- Michael Landau – guitars
- John Pierce – bass
- Prairie Prince – drums
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion
- Fee Waybill – backing vocals
Chart performance edit
Released in September 1987 as the second single from his debut solo album, "Should've Known Better" entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on September 26, 1987 at number 64, the highest debut of the week.[2] The single also peaked at number 20 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart.[2] The song also reached #4 on the Radio & Records CHR/Pop Airplay chart on November 20, 1987 for two weeks and remained on the chart for 13 weeks.[3] Elsewhere, the single reached number 50 in the United Kingdom.
Charts edit
| Chart (1987–1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Australian Music Report)[4] | 9 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[5] | 21 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 50 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 3 |
| US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 7 |
| US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 20 |
Year-end charts edit
| Chart (1988) | Position |
|---|---|
| United States (Billboard)[7][8] | 47 |
References edit
- ^ Breihan, Tom (May 17, 2021). "The Number Ones: Richard Marx's "Hold On To The Nights". Stereogum. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
Marx also got to #3 with his follow-up, the slick and airless soft-rock chug "Should've Known Better
- ^ a b "'Should've Known Better' - Chart history". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.). Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ^ "Richard Marx".
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 194. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Australian Music Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and June 12, 1988.
- ^ RPM Top Singles peak RPM Magazine
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 52. December 24, 1988. p. Y-20.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Retrieved October 3, 2016.
