Whispering Your Name

"Whispering Your Name"
Single by Alison Moyet
from the album Essex
B-side	F.O.S.
Released	28 February 1994
Format	12" single, CD single
Genre	Pop, Rock
Length	3:49
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Jules Shear
Producer(s)	Ian Broudie
Alison Moyet singles chronology
"Falling" (1993) "Whispering Your Name" (1994) "Getting into Something" (1994)

"Whispering Your Name" is a song written and originally performed by American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jules Shear, and included on his 1983 album Watch Dog. It has been covered numerous times, including charting versions by Ignatius Jones (1983), and Alison Moyet (1994).

Jules Shear version

Shear's original version was produced by Todd Rundgren, and was included on Shear's 1983 album Watch Dog. The same album included the original version of "All Through The Night", which was later a hit for Cyndi Lauper. Shear later recorded an acoustic version of "Whispering Your Name" for his 1991 CD Unplug This.

Ignatius Jones version

"Whispering Your Name" was issued as a single in Australia by Ignatius Jones in March 1983. The single peaked at exactly #100 on the Australian chart, but this and Jones' previous single ("Like A Ghost") were "hot dance club favourites among the gay community on the American west coast."^[1]

Alison Moyet version

"Whispering Your Name" was Alison Moyet's first single of 1994 and second single from the album Essex.

The single became Moyet's eighth single to enter the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, but also her last to date, peaking at #18 with a total stay of seven weeks. Moyet's previous single "Falling" peaked at #42 in 1993.

A promotional video was created for the single which featured an appearance from Dawn French. Moyet also performed the song live on Top of the Pops.^[2]

As bonus tracks for certain CD editions of the single, live versions of "Wishing You Were Here" and "Rise" were added. Both of these tracks were originally from the Hoodoo album with "Wishing You Were Here" being released as a single.

Another CD edition featured three bonus tracks "Another Living Day" which was included on the "Essex" album, "F.O.S." which was exclusive to the single and a live cover of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll". All three live song were recorded live at Mead Fiddler on April 3, 1992.

Background

In order for the Essex album to be released at all, CBS/Columbia insisted that certain Essex tracks were to be re-recorded and re-produced, and that there be additional material remixed to create a more 'commercial' package. "Whispering Your Name" was originally an acoustic ballad before being turned into an upbeat dance single. This was due to the lead single "Falling" failing to live up to the label's expectations. The original version of "Whispering Your Name" was placed on the Essex album.^[3]

A remix of "Whispering Your Name" was created by Vince Clarke who was part of the duo Yazoo with Moyet. This was the closest thing to a Yazoo reunion until their Reconnected tour in 2008.^[4]

Formats

12" Single

1. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Mix)" - 4:57
2. "Whispering Your Name (Vince Clarke Remix)" - 3:42
3. "Hoodoo (Remix)" - 7:41
4. "Back Where I Belong (Soft Mix)" - 5:32

12" Single (UK promo)

1. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Mix)" - 4:57
2. "Whispering Your Name (Dub)" -

CD Single (Europe)

1. "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - 3:49
2. "F.O.S." - 4:16

CD Single (Europe)

1. "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - 3:49
2. "Whispering Your Name (Album Version)" - 3:28
3. "Whispering Your Name (Vince Clarke Remix)" - 3:42
4. "Hoodoo (Remix)" - 7:41
5. "Wishing You Were Here (Live)" - 3:49
6. "Rise (Live)" - 3:06

CD Single (CD #2)

1. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Mix)" - 4:57
2. "Whispering Your Name (Vince Clarke Remix)" - 3:42
3. "Hoodoo (Remix)" - 7:41
4. "Back Where I Belong (Soft Mix)" - 5:32

CD Single (UK)

1. "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - 3:51
2. "Rise (Live)" - 3:08
3. "Wishing You Were Here (Live)" - 3:50
4. "Rock And Roll (Live)" - 2:14

CD Single (America)

1. "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - 3:47
2. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Mix)" - 4:57
3. "Another Living Day" - 3:44
4. "Rock And Roll (Live)" - 2:12
5. "F.O.S." - 4:16

CD Single (American promo)

1. "Whispering Your Name (Original Version)" - 3:26
2. "Whispering Your Name (Single Version)" - 3:47
3. "Whispering Your Name (Extended Single Mix)" - 4:57
4. "Whispering Your Name (Vince Clarke Remix)" - 3:41

Chart performance

Personnel

• Producer on "Whispering Your Name" – Ian Broudie
• Additional Producer, Remixer on "Whispering Your Name (Extended Remix) – Johnny Nitrate, Steve Rocket
• Mixer on "Whispering Your Name (Single Mix)" - Graham Dickson
• Writer of "Whispering Your Name" - Jules Shear
• Remixer of "Whispering Your Name (Remix)" - Vince Clarke
• Remixer of "Hoodoo (Remix)" - François Kevorkian
• Producer of "Hoodoo (Remix)" - Pete Glenister
• Remixer of "Back Where I Belong (Soft Mix)" - Ben Chapman
• Producer of "Back Where I Belong (Soft Mix)" - Andy Cox, David Steele
• Writers of "Rise" - Alison Moyet, Irving, Mike Pinder
• Writers of "Wishing You Were Here" - Alison Moyet, Pete Glenister
• Writers of "Rock and Roll" - John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
• Writers of "Another Living Day" - Alison Moyet, Pete Glenister
• Producer of "Another Living Day" - Pete Glenister
• Producers of "F.O.S." - Adrian Bushby, Pete Davis
• Artwork Designer – Alison Moyet, Martin Jenkins
• Photography – The Douglas Brothers

References

External links

• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics