Change His Ways
"Change His Ways" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Robert Palmer | ||||
from the album Heavy Nova | ||||
B-side | "More Than Ever" | |||
Released | May 1989[1] | |||
Length | 2:56 | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) | Robert Palmer | |||
Producer(s) | Robert Palmer | |||
Robert Palmer singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Audio video | ||||
"Change His Ways" on YouTube | ||||
"Change His Ways" is a song by English vocalist Robert Palmer, which was released in 1989 as the fourth single from his ninth studio album Heavy Nova.[2] The song was written and produced by Palmer.[1] "Change His Ways" reached No. 28 in the UK.[3]
A music video, featuring the use of animation and cartoon characters designed by the Italian artist and cartoonist Massimo Mattioli,[4] was filmed to promote the single.[5][6] The video parodies the highly successful Terence Donovan-directed videos for "Addicted to Love", "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" and "Simply Irresistible" by replacing the backing models with caricature animated birds.[7] The song itself features yodelling and Zydeco accordion.[8]
Release
"Change His Ways" was released by EMI on 7" vinyl in the UK, Europe and Australasia. 12" vinyl and CD formats were issued in the UK and Europe,[9] while a limited edition 7" picture disc was released in the UK.[10] All 7" editions featured the B-side "More Than Ever", which also appeared on Heavy Nova.[2]
Critical reception
Upon release, People commented on the song: "It starts out with a South African tinge then drifts through a reggae mood, a Louisiana riff or two, some mundane pop and, saints preserve, a snatch of yodeling. This is one of those notions that reads better than it sounds, and it doesn't read all that amusingly".[11]
Track listing
- 7" single
- "Change His Ways" – 2:57
- "More Than Ever" – 3:25
- 12" single
- "Change His Ways (Wed 9PM Mix)" – 5:16
- "More Than Ever" – 3:25
- "Change His Ways (Rock Mix)" – 4:51
- CD single
- "Change His Ways" – 2:57
- "Change His Ways (Wed 9PM Mix)" – 5:16
- "More Than Ever" – 3:25
- "She Makes My Day" – 4:23
Chart performance
Chart (1989) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Singles Chart[12] | 38 |
Belgian Singles Chart (V)[13] | 39 |
Dutch Singles Chart[14] | 47 |
German Singles Chart[15] | 62 |
Irish Singles Chart[16] | 21 |
New Zealand Singles Chart[17] | 29 |
UK Singles Chart[18] | 28 |
Personnel
- Robert Palmer – vocals, producer
- Eric "E.T." Thorngren – mixing
- Film Quarters – sleeve design
- Kevin Davies – photography
- Massimo Mattidi – sleeve artwork (origination of characterisation)
References
- ^ a b "Robert Palmer – Change His Ways / More Than Ever – EMI – UK – EM 85". 45cat. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ a b Robert Palmer. "Heavy Nova – Robert Palmer | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ "ROBERT PALMER – full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "BIOGRAPHY - MASSIMO MATTIOLI - Official Website". Archived from the original on 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
- ^ Live Nation (2015-09-16). "The Most Addictive, Most Simply Irresistible Robert Palmer Parodies of All Time". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ Dennis Hunt (December 10, 1989). "MIXED MEDIA: A periodic look at pop-related books, videos and laser discs. : – latimes". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ Hawkins, Stan (5 July 2017). The British Pop Dandy: Masculinity, Popular Music and Culture – Stan Hawkins – Google Books. ISBN 9781351545860. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ Tobler, John (1991). Who's who in rock & roll – John Tobler – Google Books. ISBN 9780517056875. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ "Robert Palmer – Change His Ways at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ "Robert Palmer – Change His Ways / More Than Ever – EMI – UK – EMPD 85". 45cat. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Heavy Nova". People.com. 1988-08-08. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Robert Palmer – Change His Ways". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ "Robert Palmer – Change His Ways". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Robert Palmer – Change His Ways". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "German Chart – Robert Palmer – Change His Ways". Germancharts.de. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ Jaclyn Ward. "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Robert Palmer – Change His Ways". charts.nz. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ "ROBERT PALMER | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- v
- t
- e
- Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley (1974)
- Pressure Drop (1975)
- Some People Can Do What They Like (1976)
- Double Fun (1978)
- Secrets (1979)
- Clues (1980)
- Pride (1983)
- Riptide (1985)
- Heavy Nova (1988)
- Don't Explain (1990)
- Ridin' High (1992)
- Honey (1994)
- Rhythm & Blues (1999)
- Drive (2003)
- Maybe It's Live (1982)
- Live at the Apollo (2001)
- At the BBC (2010)
- Addictions: Volume 1 (1989)
- Addictions: Volume 2 (1992)
- The Very Best of Robert Palmer (1995)
- Woke Up Laughing (1998)
- 20th Century Masters (1999)
- "Give Me an Inch"
- "Man Smart, Woman Smarter"
- "Every Kinda People"
- "Best of Both Worlds"
- "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)"
- "Can We Still Be Friends"
- "Not a Second Time"
- "Johnny and Mary"
- "Looking for Clues"
- "Some Guys Have All the Luck"
- "You Are in My System"
- "You Can Have It (Take My Heart)"
- "Discipline of Love"
- "Addicted to Love"
- "Hyperactive"
- "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On"
- "Sweet Lies"
- "Simply Irresistible"
- "Early in the Morning"
- "She Makes My Day"
- "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)"
- "Change His Ways"
- "It Could Happen to You"
- "Life in Detail"
- "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"
- "You're Amazing"
- "Mercy Mercy Me" / "I Want You"
- "Happiness"
- "Witchcraft"
- "Girl U Want"
- "Know by Now"
- "You Blow Me Away"
- "Respect Yourself"
- "True Love"
- Discography
- Vinegar Joe
- The Power Station