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 by American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jules Shear, and originally performed by Ignatius Jones in 1983. Shear also recorded the song, which was issued as a single within months of Jones' recording and included on his 1983 album Watch Dog. It has been covered numerous times, including a charting version by Alison Moyet (1994).

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]

Jules Shear version

Shear's original version was produced by Todd Rundgren, and was issued as a single in May, 1983 and 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.

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]

Music Video

The video shows Moyet in a room with a white background when French's character appears and starts jumping around and in front of the camera before kissing Moyet, smudging her lipstick. French's character then accidentally knocks Moyet unconscious, so she starts to sing the song. Moyet starts to regain consciousness but is knocked out again when the microphone falls on her head. After singing the remainder of the song, French faints and Moyet gets up and drags her away.

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

Chart (1994) Peak
position
Belgian Singles Chart 26
French Singles Chart 8
German Singles Chart[5] 75
Japanese Singles Chart 43
UK Singles Chart[6] 18

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Jimmy and the Boys'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2.
  2. ↑ "Alison Moyet Whispering Your Name". YouTube. 2007-02-25. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  3. ↑ "Essex | Alisonmoyet.com – The Official Alison Moyet Site". Alisonmoyet.com. 2010-04-05. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  4. ↑ "Essex | Alisonmoyet.com – The Official Alison Moyet Site". Alisonmoyet.com. 2010-04-05. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  5. ↑ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche". musicline.de. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  6. ↑ "The Official Charts Company - Whispering Your Name by Alison Moyet Search". The Official Charts Company. 6 May 2013.

External links