Looking for Clues
"Looking for Clues" is a song by English vocalist Robert Palmer, released in 1980 as the second single from his sixth studio album Clues.[3] It was written and produced by Palmer.[1] "Looking for Clues" reached No. 33 in the UK,[4] and No. 105 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100.[5]
"Looking for Clues" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Robert Palmer | ||||
from the album Clues | ||||
B-side |
| |||
Released | 31 October 1980 (UK)[1] November 1980[2] | |||
Genre | New wave, pop[3] | |||
Length | 4:15 (single version) 4:51 (album version) | |||
Label | Island | |||
Songwriter(s) | Robert Palmer | |||
Producer(s) | Robert Palmer | |||
Robert Palmer singles chronology | ||||
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A music video was filmed to promote the single.[6] It was one of the videos to be aired on MTV's first day of broadcasting, on 1 August 1981.[7]
Critical reception
Upon release, Cash Box selected the single as one of their feature picks in November 1980. They commented: "Palmer's been around awhile, but musically, he continues to shift gears and develop as an artist. On [this] second single from his current LP, he has created an immensely infectious little electronic boogie, half pop, half funk, to support his high, multi-tracked vocals, with a neat vibe break."[8]
In a review of Clues, Audio described the song as "futuristic sounding".[9] In a retrospective review of the album, Donald A. Guarisco of AllMusic described the song as "a clever slice of new wave pop that surprises the listener with an unexpected xylophone solo".[3] Ultimate Classic Rock included the song as one of Palmer's Top 10 songs in a retrospective look at his career.[10]
Track listing
- 7" single
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:15
- "What Do You Care" - 2:44
- 7" single (UK/Philippines/Netherlands release)
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:15
- "Good Care of You" - 2:24
- 7" single (UK alternative release)
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:15
- "In Walks Love Again" - 2:48
- 7" single (US/Canada release)
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:08
- "Woke Up Laughing" - 3:36
- 7" single (UK promo)
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:08
- 7" single (US promo)
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:08
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:08
- 12" single (UK release)
- "Looking for Clues (Long Version)" - 4:51
- "Good Care of You" - 2:24
- "Style Kills" - 4:16
- 12" single (European release)
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:53
- "Johnny and Mary" - 3:59
- 12" single (US promo)
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:52
- "Looking for Clues" - 4:52
Chart performance
Chart (1980) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Singles Chart[11] | 23 |
Belgian Singles Chart (V)[12] | 9 |
Canada RPM Top Singles | 7 |
Dutch Singles Chart[13] | 17 |
France | 6 |
German Singles Chart[14] | 3 |
Swedish Singles Chart[15] | 14 |
Swiss Singles Chart[16] | 6 |
UK Singles Chart[17] | 33 |
US Billboard Hot 100 Chart[5] | 105 |
Personnel
- Robert Palmer - vocals, bass, percussion, producer
- Jack Waldman - keyboards
- Kenny Mazur - guitar
- Dony Wynn - drums
- Chris Frantz - bass drum
- Alex Sadkin - engineer, mixing
- David Harper - executive producer
- Ted Jensen - mastering
References
- "Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues / Good Care Of You - Island - UK - WIP 6651". 45cat. 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- "Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues / Woke Up Laughing - Island - USA - IS49620". 45cat. 2018-02-17. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- AllMusic Review by Donald A. Guarisco. "Clues - Robert Palmer | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- "ROBERT PALMER - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- "Billboard - Google Books". 1980-12-13. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- "Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues". YouTube. 1985-01-15. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- Facebook Twitter email Print Article AA (2016-08-24). "Weirdest Videos MTV Played on Its First Day". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- Cash Box newspaper - November 22, 1980 - Reviews: singles - page 15
- "Audio - Google Books". 1980. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- "Top 10 Robert Palmer Songs". Ultimateclassicrock.com. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. pp. 228, 236. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- Steffen Hung. "Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- Steffen Hung. "germancharts.com - Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues". Germancharts.de. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- Steffen Hung. "Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- Steffen Hung. "Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- "ROBERT PALMER | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.