Every Kinda People
"Every Kinda People" is a 1978 song originally performed by Robert Palmer on his Double Fun album. The song was written by Andy Fraser.[1]
| "Every Kinda People" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Robert Palmer | ||||
| from the album Double Fun | ||||
| Released | March 1978 | |||
| Genre | Pop, R&B, Disco, Jazz fusion | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Andy Fraser | |||
| Robert Palmer singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Chart performance
In the UK, the song went to #53.[2] It was Palmer's first Top 40 hit in the US, reaching #16.[3]
1992 remix
Palmer released a re-mixed version of this song on his 1992 compilation album Addictions: Volume 2, as the lead single from that album, ultimately becoming a radio hit peaking at number 8 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary charts, (it had peaked at number 22, on the same chart in 1978) .[4] In the UK, the remix did better than its original 1978 release, peaking at number 43.
Most noteworthy is the near-absence of Bob Babbitt's bass-heavy guitar hook, replaced by an acoustic guitar figure, giving it an "unplugged" feel as was the fashion at the time by well-established artists remaking past hits as acoustic numbers.
Charts
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe Dance (Music & Media)[5] | 20 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 43 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 8 |
Cover versions
With its blend of Caribbean steel pan, violins and moving lyrics, "Every Kinda People" has become one of Palmer's best-loved songs, covered multiple times by other artists (including The Mint Juleps (1987), Randy Crawford (1989), Chaka Demus and Pliers (1996), Amy Grant (1996), Jo O'Meara (2002), Joe Cocker (2004) and Ana Popovic (2013), and cited by music fans and spiritual groups for its positive message of peace and multiculturalism.
Sampling
The same melody as in the chorus of the song "Every Kinda People" is used in the following five songs: Van Morrison's 1982 song "Dweller On The Threshold", Terence Trent D'Arby's 1987 song "Dance Little Sister", U Škripcu's 1991 song "Izgleda da mi smo sami", Michael Jackson's 1997 song "Blood On The Dance Floor", and Nino's 1998 song "Ko te samo takne".
Personnel
- Robert Palmer – vocals, guitar
- Paul Barrere & Freddie Harris – guitar
- James Alan Smith – keyboards
- Bob Babbitt – bass
- Allan Schwartzberg – drums
- Robert Greenridge - steel drums
- Jody Linscott - percussion
References
- "Andy Fraser - Writing credits". Discogs.com. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- "officialcharts.com". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 641.
- Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 189.
- "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. 14 March 1992. p. 24. Retrieved 31 October 2021.