"Girl You Know It's True"
Single by Milli Vanilli
from the album All or Nothing and Girl You Know It's True
B-side"Magic Touch"
Released27 June 1988 (1988-06-27)[1]
Recorded1988
Genre
Length3:58 (single version)
4:14 (album version)
LabelHansa
Arista
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Frank Farian
Milli Vanilli singles chronology
"Girl You Know It's True"
(1988)		 "Baby Don't Forget My Number"
(1988)
Music video
"Girl You Know It's True" on YouTube

"Girl You Know It's True" is a song by Maryland-based group Numarx, later made internationally famed by German dance-pop group Milli Vanilli. Released as the lead single from MV's European debut album, All or Nothing (1988), and the duo's American debut album, Girl You Know It's True (1989), the song peaked at number one on the German Singles Chart, number two in the United States and number three in the United Kingdom, becoming one of Milli Vanilli's most successful singles.

Background

The song was written by Bill Pettaway Jr., Sean "DJ Spen" Spencer, Kevin Liles, Rodney "Kool Rod" Holloman (often misspelled "Hollaman" on single/album credits)[2][3][4][5] and Ky Adeyemo,[6] most of whom were members of the Baltimore, Maryland-based group Numarx, who first recorded the song.

Started by DJ Spen and featuring Kool Rod as the original MC,[2] Numarx was a collective of local DJs who formed a "crew" in the early 1980s, originally consisting of four members. The group expanded to five in the mid-1980s with the addition of Liles as fellow MC. In 1987, having already released material during their early years, Numarx released the single "Rhymes So Def", which received national airplay at the time.[2] The follow-up single to this minor hit was "Girl You Know It's True".

The idea for the song began when the group wrote a rap to a track composed by local musician/songwriter Bill Pettaway. Liles and Holloman wrote the words and Spencer made the beat. The song was recorded at Studio Records in Oxon Hill, Maryland - just outside of Washington, DC. Bill Pettaway, an Annapolis resident was working as a gas station attendant at the time[6][7] also wrote songs and played guitar on the side.[8] Pettaway, along with Numarx members Spencer, Liles, and Holloman continued to craft the tune. In addition, then-current Starpoint member Kayode "Ky" Adeyemo joined in, co-writing and co-producing the song with Pettaway. Adeyemo played keyboards and wrote the infectious “Ooh Ooh Ooh” hook for the song.[4] Kevin Liles and Kool Rod are the lead vocalists rhyming on the record with Spencer providing some background vocals. However, the most prominent vocalist on the hook and backing vocals of the song is Charles "Ooh Oh Ooh" Christopher. Charles was friends with Pettaway, Adeyemo, and Starpoint keyboardist George Phillips and became the voice that everyone was singing along with. Although the song did not match the success of "Rhymes So Def" in America, "Girl You Know It's True" did connect with audiences on the other side of the Atlantic, becoming a popular hit in the German clubs.[9] It was here that Milli Vanilli producer Frank Farian likely first heard the tune.

Meanwhile, Numarx would later include their version of "Girl You Know It's True" on their lone album, Our Time Has Come, released in 1988.[10] The group formed a small independent record label, the following year, called Marx Brothers Records releasing several regional hits including “Do It Good”, which was later remixed by Basement Boys and became a dance music hit. The group disbanded in the early 90s. DJ Spen went on to become an on-air radio personality in Baltimore. He later joined the Baltimore-based powerhouse dance music production outfit Basement Boys that produced hit dance music numbers for Michael Jackson, Crystal Waters, Toni Braxton, and Ultra Nate’. He is now a world-renowned DJ that runs an independent dance music label and production company, Quantize Recordings. After working as a local music promoter on the east coast, Liles went on to work for Def Jam Recordings, where he eventually worked his way to the role of President. He is currently CEO of 300 Entertainment in New York, which produces and manages some of the biggest names in R&B and hip hop music. Pettaway was later credited with discovering multi-platinum-selling singer Toni Braxton and has gone on to prominence as a session guitarist for Timbaland[11] and other artists.

Recording

The Milli Vanilli version of "Girl You Know It's True", recorded at Frank Farian's FAR studios in Rosbach, Germany in the spring of 1988, started with only a drum track and two female vocalists, American twin sisters Linda Rocco and Jodie Rocco, who lived in Germany. Farian asked the girls to listen to the Numarx version so they would know what to sing. The record was on a turntable in the studio and Farian played the vocal parts for the girls. There was only the drum track to follow, making the Rocco twins the first vocals on the track.

Chart performance

"Girl You Know It's True" was a big success in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending 1 April 1989.[12] It became the first of five top 5 singles for Milli Vanilli and spent a total of 26 weeks on the chart.

Critical reception

American magazine Cash Box called the song "an average quasi-rap that goes nowhere."[13]

Impact

South Korean singer Seo Taiji cited that Milli Vanilli is one of his influences. The melody of Seo Taiji and Boys' 1992 signature hit, I Know is strikingly similar Seo briefly rapped Fab Morvan's part in the demo version of the song, the similarities between the two songs led to the accusation of alleged plagiarism.

Remixes

The New York City subway remix of the song features samples from several pop and R&B artists who were popular in the '80s. These include Flavor Flav's signature "Yeah, boyyy" phrase and a piece from Dennis Edwards' 1984 song "Don't Look Any Further".

Track listings

  • 12-inch maxi – Australia, New Zealand, UK
  1. "Girl You Know It's True" (NY Subway mix) – 8:07
  2. "Girl You Know It's True" (Balearic mix) – 6:24
  3. "Magic Touch" – 3:47
  • 12-inch maxi – Canada, U.S.
  1. "Girl You Know It's True" (Super Club mix) – 8:33
  2. "Girl You Know It's True" (G Spot remix beats) – 6:22
  3. "Girl You Know It's True" (single version) – 3:48
  4. "Girl You Know It's True" (NYC Subway mix) – 8:07
  5. "Magic Touch" — 3:47
  • 12-inch maxi – Germany, UK
  1. "Girl You Know It's True" (Super Club mix) – 8:49
  2. "Girl You Know It's True" (radio mix) – 4:14
  3. "Magic Touch" – 3:47
  • 7-inch single
  1. "Girl You Know It's True" – 4:14
  2. "Magic Touch" – 3:47
  • 7-inch single – UK 2nd issue, Sweden
  1. "Girl You Know It's True" (NYC Subway Mix Edit/Summer '88 Mix) – 4:00
  2. "Magic Touch" – 3:47

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Girl You Know It's True"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] Gold 35,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[53] Gold 50,000^
France (SNEP)[54] Silver 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[55] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[56] Platinum 10,000*
Sweden (GLF)[57] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Silver 250,000^
United States (RIAA)[59] Platinum 2,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

Milli Vanilli made a cameo appearance performing the song in an episode of NBC's Saturday-morning cartoon The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, based on the video game. The episode, entitled "Kootie Pie Rocks", aired on 27 October 1990. After the lip-synching scandal broke out the following month, the episode was edited to replace the Milli Vanilli songs featured in the episode ("Girl You Know It's True" and "Blame It on the Rain") with a generic pop instrumental, and specific references and jabs at these songs were removed. However, the group themselves are still mentioned by name.

In 2018, the song was featured in an advert for Fridge Raiders.[66]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Music Week" (PDF). Music Week. 25 June 1988. p. 14. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Numarx biography @Fifthelementonine.com Archived 6 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  3. ↑ Rod Holloman@Twitter (spelled "Holloman" here) Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 Numarx- "Girl You Know It's True" (1987) single credits. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  5. ↑ Rodney Hollaman (sic) @Discogs.com Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Milli Vanilli: Baby Don't Forget My Number".
  7. ↑ Corey, Mary (1990). "Bill Pettaway: A gas station attendant hanging out with..." The Baltimore Sun December 16, 1990. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  8. ↑ Bill Pettaway @yourockguitar.com Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "Girl You Know It's True" by Milli Vanilli @Songfacts.com Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Numarx - Our Time Has Come @Discogs.com Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "Timbalands (sic) Secret Weapon: Bill Pettaway" Retrieved 16 August 2015
  12. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 Archives". billboard.com. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  13. ↑ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 24 December 1988. p. 11. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  14. ↑ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 2014-06-17". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2015 – via Imgur.
  15. ↑ "Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  16. ↑ "Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  17. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6348." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  18. ↑ "RPM 20 Dance Singles". RPM. Vol. 49, no. 19. 6 March 1989. p. 12.
  19. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 47. 19 November 1988. p. 22.
  20. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  21. ↑ "Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True" (in French). Les classement single.
  22. ↑ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. 1 January 1989. p. 34. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  23. ↑ "Ísl. Listinn". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 25 November 1988. p. 44. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  24. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Girl You Know Its True". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  25. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Milli Vanilli" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  26. ↑ "Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  27. ↑ "Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True". Top 40 Singles.
  28. ↑ "Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True". VG-lista.
  29. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  30. ↑ "Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True". Singles Top 100.
  31. ↑ "Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True". Swiss Singles Chart.
  32. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  33. ↑ "Milli Vanilli Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  34. ↑ "Milli Vanilli Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  35. ↑ "Milli Vanilli Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  36. ↑ "Milli Vanilli Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  37. ↑ "Milli Vanilli Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  38. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  39. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1988" (in German). Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  40. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1988" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  41. ↑ "1988 Year End Eurocharts" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 January 1988. p. 30. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  42. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  43. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1988" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  44. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1988" (in German). Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  45. ↑ "Top 100 Singles: Year-End Chart 1988". Music Week. 4 March 1989. p. 12.
  46. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  47. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. Retrieved 15 June 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  48. ↑ "Top 25 Dance Singles of '89". RPM. Retrieved 15 June 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  49. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1989". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  50. ↑ "1989 The Year in Music: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. Y-22.
  51. ↑ "Longbored Surfer - 1989". longboredsurfer.com.
  52. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mount Martha, Melbourne, Victoria: Moonlight Publishing.
  53. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know It's True". Music Canada. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  54. ↑ "French single certifications – Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know Its True" (in French). InfoDisc. Select MILLI VANILLI and click OK. 
  55. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Milli Vanilli; 'Girl You Know It's True')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  56. ↑ Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006. Maurienne House. ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8.
  57. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  58. ↑ "British single certifications – Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know Its True". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  59. ↑ "American single certifications – Milli Vanilli – Girl You Know Its True". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  60. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de.
  61. ↑ "KEITH 'N' SHANE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  62. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de.
  63. ↑ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". austriancharts.at.
  64. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de.
  65. ↑ "danishcharts.com - Burhan G - Jeg vil have dig for mig selv". danishcharts.dk.
  66. ↑ "Protein-Snacking Woman Gets a Taste for Power in Bold Fridge Raiders Ad | LBBOnline". www.lbbonline.com.
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