All I Know

"All I Know" is a song written by American songwriter Jimmy Webb, first recorded by Art Garfunkel on his 1973 debut solo album, Angel Clare, released by Columbia Records. Instrumental backing was provided by members of the Wrecking Crew, L.A. session musicians.[1] Garfunkel's version is the best known and highest-charting version, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Easy Listening chart for four weeks in October 1973.[2] Garfunkel's version begins with a solo piano, before he begins to sing. When the orchestration is beginning to fade out, the solo piano takes over, playing melodic passages to the song's end.

This article is about the Art Garfunkel song. For other uses, see All I Know (disambiguation).
"All I Know"
Single by Art Garfunkel
from the album Angel Clare
B-side"Mary Was an Only Child"
Released1973
GenreOrchestral pop
Length3:43
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Jimmy Webb
Art Garfunkel singles chronology
"Forgive Me"
(1973)		 "All I Know"
(1973)		 "I Shall Sing"
(1973)

Reception

In his review for Allmusic, Joe Viglione wrote that Jimmy Webb's own version of the song, recorded for Ten Easy Pieces in 1996, had "none of the gloss" of Garfunkel's hit version, but more soul.[3] Viglione continued:

The stark reading retains the elegance of the hit version while giving the melody a new setting, aided by the saxophone of Pat Perez and the backing vocals of producer Fred Mollin and arranger Matt McCauley. Jimmy Webb has a more earthy tone to his voice and, as beautiful as Art Garfunkel's rendition is, there's much more sincerity when the composer talk/sings it over his piano.[3]

Chart history

The Linda Ronstadt connection

More recently, Webb invited Linda Ronstadt to join him in a duet version for his 2010 album Just Across the River. Ronstadt had just announced her retirement from singing when Webb sent her an email describing his new CD of duets. Webb asked if she would sing "All I Know" with him, with just a guitar backup. Ronstadt called him and said, "Damn it, you've gotten me interested in that song." Webb later recalled, "There was a poignancy to that moment ... because I didn’t know if she'd ever sing again. Her voice sounds elegantly beautiful on 'All I Know' ... I loved the meticulous way she covered my voice."[13]

The song continues to appear in popular culture. It was featured in the season 2 finale and the series finale of the American drama series Nip/Tuck.

Garfunkel's second rendition of the song was also used in a video montage in the ending credits of "The Grass Is Always Greener," Episode 12 in Season 3 of the American comedy-drama series Boy Meets World.[14]

Recorded versions

See also

References
  1. Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew. St. Martin’s Griffin. pp. 261–263. ISBN 978-1-250-03046-7.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 99.
  3. Viglione, Joe. "All I Know". Allmusic. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  5. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1973-11-17. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  6. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1973-11-24. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  7. Flavour of New Zealand, 16 February 1974
  8. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  9. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, November 10, 1973
  10. Canada, Library and Archives (July 13, 2017). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada.
  11. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
  12. Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1973
  13. Simpson, Michael Wade. "Jimmy Webb On Tour". Culture Vulure. Archived from the original on 2013-02-21. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  14. TV.com. "Boy Meets World: The Grass is Always Greener - Season 3, Episode 12". TV. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
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