This Time I Know It's for Real

"This Time I Know It's for Real" is a song originally recorded by Donna Summer and released on February 13, 1989 as the first single from her album Another Place and Time by Atlantic Records and Warner Bros. Records. Like the rest of the album, the song was written and produced by the British Stock Aitken & Waterman team, though Summer also had a hand in writing this song, as well as three other songs on the album from which this single was released. The song was a worldwide smash success.

"This Time I Know It's for Real"
Single by Donna Summer
from the album Another Place and Time
B-side	"Whatever Your Heart Desires" (Europe) "If It Makes You Feel Good" (United States)
Released	February 13, 1989 (Europe) April 21, 1989 (US)
Recorded	1988 at PWL, London
Genre	Dance-pop
Length	3:38
Label	Warner Bros. (Europe), Atlantic (United States)
Songwriter(s)	Donna Summer, Matt Aitken, Mike Stock, Pete Waterman
Producer(s)	Stock, Aitken & Waterman
Donna Summer singles chronology
"Fascination" (1988) "This Time I Know It's for Real" (1989) "I Don't Wanna Get Hurt" (1989)
Music video
"This Time I Know It's for Real" on YouTube

It became Summer's biggest hit in the UK since the 1970s (during which time she had been the most popular female disco artist), reaching number three[1] and spending a total of 14 weeks in the Top 75,[1] longer than any of her other singles there. It also reached number 7 in both the US (where it was certified Gold) and Canada. It was her 14th and final US Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as the last Top 40 hit of Summer's career. The song was also huger success on the Hot Adult Contemporary, peaking at #2. It was blocked by Simply Red's version of "If You Don't Know Me by Now", which spend number one on the chart for six weeks. "This Time I Know It's for Real" was also her final single to perform on the chart.

This was Summer's first US single to be released on Atlantic Records, a division of Warner Bros. Records. Since 1980 she had been signed to Geffen (also a division of Warner Bros.) but her work across Europe had always been distributed by Warner Bros.' main label. This would continue to be the case following her signing to Atlantic.

Critical reception

Alex Henderson from AllMusic described the song as a "exuberant, club-friendly Euro-dance/Hi-NRG" gem.[2] Music & Media commented, "Very much a SAW production with Summer's voice adding a touch of class. Her first chance of a major hit since 1983's She Works Hard for the Money."[3] Pop Rescue also stated that the song "simply oozes S/A/W sound from the very first moment it bursts open with some very Rick Astley/Sonia-esque drums. This is textbook S/A/W and is absolutely flawless."[4]

Music video

A music video was made to accompany the song, directed by Swiss director/editor and producer Dieter Trattmann.

Track listings

7" single

1. "This Time I Know It's for Real" — 3:36
2. "Whatever Your Heart Desires (Original Mix)" — 3:50

12" maxi

1. "This Time I Know It's for Real" (Extended Version) — 7:20
2. "Whatever Your Heart Desires (Original Mix)" — 3:50
3. "This Time I Know It's for Real" (Instrumental) — 3:34

Official versions

• Album/7" Version (3:36)
• Extended Version (aka Extended Remix) (7:20)
• Instrumental (3:36)

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1989) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[5] 40 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] 2 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] 7 Denmark (IFPI)[8] 6 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) (Music & Media)[9] 7 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[10] 3 France (SNEP)[11] 6 Germany (Official German Charts)[12] 15 Ireland (IRMA)[13] 4 Italy (FIMI) 4 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 6 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15] 5 Norway (VG-lista)[16] 3 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[17] 19 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 12 UK Singles (OCC)[19] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[20] 7 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[21] 2 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[22] 5 US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[23] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1989) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[24] 29 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[25] 75 European Hot 100 Singles (Music & Media)[26] 34 Germany (Official German Charts)[27] 56 Italian Singles (FIMI)[28] 58 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[29] 44 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[30] 60 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[31] 92 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Silver 200,000^^ United States (RIAA)[33] Gold 500,000^^ ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Young Divas version

"This Time I Know It's for Real"
Single by Young Divas
from the album Young Divas
Released	May 6, 2006
Recorded	2006
Genre	Dance-pop, house
Label	Sony BMG
Songwriter(s)	Donna Summer, Matt Aitken, Mike Stock, Pete Waterman
Producer(s)	George Papapetros, Max Kourilov
Young Divas singles chronology
"This Time I Know It's for Real" (2006) "Happenin' All Over Again" (2006)

Australian girl group Young Divas' covered "This Time I Know It's for Real" to coincide with nationwide tour dates from July to August 2006.[34] The song was produced by George Papapetros and Max Kourilov and released as a CD single on May 6, 2006 to attract attention for the tour.[35] "This Time I Know It's for Real" peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and spent 14 weeks in the top ten.[36] It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 70,000 copies. The song was later included on their self-titled debut album Young Divas. Due to an overwhelming response of the Young Divas' version of "This Time I Know It's for Real", a music video was filmed to accompany the song's release.[37]

Track listing

CD single[38]

1. "This Time I Know It's for Real" (Radio Edit)
2. "This Time I Know It's for Real" (Extended Remix)

Credits and personnel

• Vocals – Emily Williams, Kate DeAraugo, Paulini, Ricki-Lee Coulter
• Songwriting – Donna Summer, Matt Aitken, Mike Stock, Pete Waterman
• Production - George Papapetros, Max Kourilov
• Mixing – George Papapetros, Max Kourilov
• Arrangements – George Papapetros, Max Kourilov
• Mastering – Oscar Gaona, Tom Coyne

Source[38]

Weekly chart

Chart (2006)	Peak position
ARIA Singles Chart[36]	2

Year-end charts

Chart (2006)	Rank
ARIA Singles Chart[39]	6
Australian Artists Singles Chart[40]	2

Certification

Country	Certification
Australia (ARIA)[41]	Platinum

Other cover versions

In 2004, British singer Kelly Llorenna reached number fourteen on the UK Singles Chart with her version of the song.[1]

References

1. Roberts, David (Managing Editor) (2005), British Hit Singles & Albums (Edition 18), Guinness World Records Limited, ISBN 1-904994-00-8
2. Henderson, Alex. "Donna Summer – Another Place and Time". AllMusic. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
3. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. March 4, 1989. p. 21. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
4. "REVIEW: "ANOTHER PLACE AND TIME" BY DONNA SUMMER (CD, 1989)". Pop Rescue. January 6, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
5. "Australian-charts.com – Donna Summer – This Time I Know It's for Real". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
6. "Ultratop.be – Donna Summer – This Time I Know It's for Real" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
7. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6377." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
8. Danish Singles Chart 7 April 1989
9. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). 6 (13). 1989-01-04. Retrieved November 12, 2019. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
10. "Top 3 Finland" (PDF). Music & Media. April 8, 1989. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
11. "Lescharts.com – Donna Summer – This Time I Know It's for Real" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
12. "Offiziellecharts.de – Donna Summer – This Time I Know It's for Real". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
13. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – This Time I Know It's for Real". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
14. "Dutchcharts.nl – Donna Summer – This Time I Know It's for Real" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
15. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Donna Summer" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
16. "Norwegiancharts.com – Donna Summer – This Time I Know It's for Real". VG-lista. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
17. Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
18. "Swedishcharts.com – Donna Summer – This Time I Know It's for Real". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
20. "Donna Summer Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
21. "Donna Summer Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
22. "Donna Summer Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
23. Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved February 21, 2008)
24. "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
25. "Top Singles - Volume 51, No. 8, December 23, 1989". RPM. December 23, 1999. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
26. "Eurochart Hot 100 1989". Music & Media. 6 (51): 6. December 23, 1989. OCLC 29800226. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
27. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
28. "Top Annuali Single: 1989" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
29. "De Single Top 100 1989 Over" (PDF) (in Dutch). Radio 538. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
30. "Jaahroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Archived from the original on September 14, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
31. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-01-25. Retrieved November 12, 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
32. "British single certifications – Donna Summer – This Time I Know It's for Real". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type This Time I Know It's for Real in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
33. "American album certifications – Donna Summer – This Time I Know It's for Real". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
34. "Australia's Fab Four Femmes Unleash The Young Divas!". Sony BMG. May 1, 2006. Archived from the original on September 5, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
35. "CD Releases: This Time I Know It's for Real". Sony BMG. Archived from the original on September 5, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
36. "Young Divas – This Time I Know It's for Real". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
37. "Young Divas Know It's For Real! Single Goes Gold; New Video Airs This Weekend". Sony BMG. Archived from the original on September 5, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
38. "Young Divas – This Time I Know It's for Real (CD)". Discogs. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
39. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
40. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Australian Artist Singles 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
41. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 27, 2012.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics