About The Song
“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” is a song released by American singer Aretha Franklin and English singer George Michael as a duet in 1987. The song was a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom. Billboard listed “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” as Franklin’s all-time biggest Hot 100 single. The song was Franklin’s biggest hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching number two. The song was written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan and produced by Narada Michael Walden. Franklin and Michael won a 1987 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”.
In 1984, Michael was approached to write and produce a song for Franklin for an unspecified soundtrack album; however, his busy schedule with Wham! made it impossible for him to do so at the time. Michael was also anxious that writing for one of his favourite artists could be too nerve-wracking (considering himself to be unworthy) and that for Franklin to sing a song he had written would be “ludicrous”. According to Michael, he originally approached both Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder respectively, before Franklin. Following Michael’s death in December 2016, Franklin recalled the following about the recording of “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”:
The first time I heard George was with Wham! and I liked it then. He had a very unique sound, very different from anything that was out there. When Clive [Davis], [Franklin’s producer and label boss] suggested we get together for “I Knew You Were Waiting”, I was all ready. It reminded me of [working with producer] Jerry Wexler. We’d go in the studio and cut songs. If we were happy with what we recorded, Jerry would say, “Let’s wait until tomorrow. If we feel the same way [then] that we do now, maybe we have a hit.” “I Knew You Were Waiting” had that. Musically, it does not grow old.
The song was a one-off project that helped Michael achieve his ambition to sing with one of his favorite artists, and it reached number one on both the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100. The song was Franklin’s first and only UK number-one hit.
In his book titled Dynamic Duets: The Best Pop Collaborations from 1955 to 1999, author Bob Leszczak described “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” as a “joyous and uplifting duet”.
The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan and was filmed in Detroit. It begins with George Michael and two bodyguards entering a dark room. There is a large viewing screen on the wall showing Aretha Franklin preparing for George Michael. Over the course of the video, each of the singers is shown performing the song both in front of the screen and on it. During the second verse, footage from both Franklin’s and Michael’s earlier careers is shown on the screen. As the second chorus ends, Michael joins Franklin on the stage, and footage of earlier famous duet pairs—Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Sonny and Cher, Ike and Tina Turner, and others—are shown on the viewing screen while Michael and Franklin sing the song’s bridge. At the end of the video, Franklin winks at the camera.
Video
Lyrics
Like a warrior that fights
And wins the battle
I know the taste of victory
Though i went through some nights
Consumed by the shadows
I was crippled emotionally
Somehow i made it through the heartache
Yes i did. I escaped.
I found my way out of the darkness
I kept my faith (i know you did), kept my faith
When the river was deep i didn’t falter
When the mountain was high i still believed
When the valley was!ow it didn’t stop me, no no
I knew you were waiting. I knew you were waiting for me
With an endless desire i kept on searching
Sure in time our eyes would meet
Like the bridge is on fire
The hurt is over, one touch and you set me free
I don’t regret a single moment, no i don’t looking hack
When i think of all those disappointments
I just laugh (i know you do), i just laugh
When the river was deep i didn’t fairer
When the mountain was high i still believed
When the valley was low it didn’t stop me
I knew you were waiting. I knew you were waiting for me
So we were drawn together through destiny
I know this love we snared was meant to be
I knew you were waiting, knew you were waiting
I knew you were waiting, knew you were waiting for me