| "Sure Know Something" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Kiss | ||||
| from the album Dynasty | ||||
| B-side | "Hard Times" | |||
| Released | September 30, 1979 | |||
| Recorded | 1979 | |||
| Studio | Electric Lady Studios, New York City; Record Plant Studios, New York City | |||
| Genre | Hard rock, disco | |||
| Length | 3:58 | |||
| Label | Casablanca NB-2205 (US) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia | |||
| Producer(s) | Vini Poncia | |||
| Kiss singles chronology | ||||
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"Sure Know Something" is a single by American hard rock band Kiss, released on their 1979 album Dynasty.
Written by vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley and producer Vini Poncia, "Sure Know Something" reached number 47 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1979, and in the Top Ten in some countries around the world.[1] It would become another top ten hit (number 5) for the band in Australia.
Cash Box said the song "has a rock-anthemic quality" and praised the hook.[2] Record World called it a "megarocker that bowls you over with sheer power and enthusiasm."[3]
A promotional video, directed by John Goodhue, was filmed for the single and featured the band on a mock-up of what was their Dynasty-era stage show.[4] "Sure Know Something" was performed by the band acoustically during their MTV Unplugged performance in 1995 and with the Melbourne Symphony Ensemble on their live album Kiss Symphony: Alive IV.
The song incorporates disco music into the usual style of a rock ballad. It is one of two disco rock hits for the band, the other being "I Was Made for Lovin' You". It is seen as being one of the more sophisticated songs written by Stanley, with critics noting the heartfelt feelings of confusion and sorrow. The song musically and lyrically is darker than most Kiss songs, with the song being played in a minor key and the lyrics referring to being overwhelmed by loss of virginity.
Studio personnel
- Paul Stanley – lead vocals, rhythm & lead guitar
- Gene Simmons – bass
- Ace Frehley – additional guitar, backing vocals
- Anton Fig – drums
- Vini Poncia – keyboards, backing vocals
Chart performance
Weekly Charts
| Country (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] | 5 |
| Canada | 48 |
| Germany | 28 |
| The Netherlands | 3 |
| New Zealand | 11 |
| United States | 47 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1979) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] | 45 |
| Chart (1980) | Position |
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 76 |
References
- ↑ International Chart History
- ↑ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. August 25, 1979. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
- ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. August 25, 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
- ↑ KISS video information
- 1 2 "Kent Music Report No 288 – 31 December 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1979". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 10 January 2023 – via Imgur.com.
- ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. 5 January 1981. Retrieved 17 January 2022 – via Imgur.
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