I Wanna Be Where You Are

"I Wanna Be Where You Are"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Got to Be There
B-side "We've Got a Good Thing Going"
Released May 2, 1972
Format 7" single
Recorded November 1971
Hitsville West, Los Angeles, California
Genre Soul, Pop, psychedelic soul
Length 3:01
Label Motown
M1202F
Writer(s) Arthur Ross
Leon Ware
Producer(s) Hal Davis
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Rockin' Robin"
(1972)
"I Wanna Be Where You Are"
(1972)
"Ain't No Sunshine"
(1972)
Got to Be There track listing
"Ain't No Sunshine"
(1)
"I Wanna Be Where You Are"
(2)
"Girl Don't Take Your Love from Me"
(3)
"I Wanna Be Where You Are"
Song by Marvin Gaye from the album I Want You
Released 1976
Recorded 1975, Marvin's Room, Los Angeles, California
Genre Soul
Label Tamla
Producer Leon Ware
Marvin Gaye

"I Wanna Be Where You Are" is a song written by Arthur "T-Boy" Ross and Leon Ware for Michael Jackson, who took the song to number 7 in Cash Box and number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number 2 on the U.S. R&B singles chart in 1972. His third straight Top 10 Pop hit during his early solo career with Motown. It was also the first collaboration between Ware and Ross, the younger brother of legendary superstar Diana Ross. This song would be one of Jackson's most covered songs, by singers including Marvin Gaye, Willie Hutch, Jason Weaver and later The Fugees. Ware and Ross also penned the classic Marvin Gaye hit, "I Want You" several years afterwards.

Track listing

Covers and samples

1970s

1980s


1990s

2000s

2010s

Beyoncé Knowles version

American R&B recording artist Beyoncé Knowles covered the song during her 2009 revue show I Am... Yours, which was held four-consecutive nights in July and August. It was later included on her live CD/DVD I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas, which contained the performances from the show of the revue.[4] Later, she covered the song for her 2011 revue show 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé held during four non-consecutive nights in August 2011.[5][6] After delving into her musical history during the show, Knowles states: "I just want to have a good time with y'all," before she begins the revue's set list with her rendition of "I Wanna Be Where You Are", further recalling that she loved singing the song.[7][8] It was included on the live DVD Live at Roseland: Elements of 4 released on November 21, 2011.[9]

On October 8, 2011 a pre-taped performance of Knowles performing "I Wanna Be Where You Are" was shown at the Michael Forever tribute concert at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.[10][11] During the performance, she was backed by her all-female band and wore an Afro wig as she performed a funk version of the song.[10] Before beginning the performance of the song, she stated: "I remember seeing Michael Jackson for the first time. Lord knows I fell in love... Watching him I realized exactly what I wanted to be. He inspired me so much. As a matter of fact, the first song I performed with Destiny's Child was a Jackson 5 song. It's called 'Where You Are.' It's the song we auditioned to get our record deal. It was the beginning of our future. I love you forever, Michael Jackson."[10] A writer of Rap-Up noted that she "gave audience members goosebumps as she channeled MJ with her moves".[10] Mark Iraheta of Complex magazine wrote that she "lit up the stage and showed off some funky dance moves".[12]

Song credits

Michael Jackson version

Marvin Gaye version

Charts

Chart (1972) Peak
position
Turkey Singles Chart 87
US Billboard Hot 100 16
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 2

References

  1. "Hav Plenty: Music From The Motion Picture: Various Artists, Wendy Melvoin: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  2. Reid, Shaheem (September 26, 2009). "50 Cent Finally Celebrates 40 Day In Queens". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  3. "Brazil Chill overview". Allmusic.com.
  4. Remekie, Tanya (November 19, 2009). "Beyoncé Unleashes Sasha Fierce on DVD". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  5. Parent, Marie-Joelle (August 20, 2011). "Concert intime avec Beyoncé". Le Journal de Montréal (in French). Quebecor. ISSN 0839-5179. OCLC 502914813. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  6. Mumbi Moody, Nekesa (August 16, 2011). "Beyoncé showcases her dominance at concert". Associated Press via The Jamaica Observer. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  7. Ramirez, Erika (August 15, 2011). "Beyonce Owns NYC in '4' Concert Debut". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  8. Johnston, Maura (August 15, 2011). "Live: Beyoncé Wants To Make You (And You, And You) Happy". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  9. "allmusic ((( Live at Roseland: Elements of 4 > Overview )))". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Beyoncé Covers Michael Jackson Classic at Tribute Concert (Video)". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. October 8, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  11. Perry, Simon (October 8, 2011). "Michael Jackson's Children Honor Their Late Father". People. Time Inc. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  12. "Video: Beyoncé Pays Tribute To Michael Jackson In Wales". Complex. Complex Media. October 11, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2012.