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Better Than I Know Myself

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"Better Than I Know Myself"
Song

"Better Than I Know Myself" is a song by American pop recording artist Adam Lambert from his upcoming second studio album.[1] The song was released as the album's lead single on December 20, 2011. It will impact US mainstream radio on January 24, 2012.[2] The song was written and produced by Cirkut, Ammo and Dr. Luke, and co-written by Claude Kelly.[3]

Background and composition

On December 15, 2011 RCA Records announced that "Better Than I Know Myself" would serve as the lead single from Adam Lambert's upcoming second studio album, Trespassing due for March 2012.[1] The following day the song premiered in full online. The song was released via iTunes on December 20, 2011 in the United States.

"Better Than I Know Myself" is an electro-pop ballad.[4] The instrumentation consists of a thumping bass beat, a keyboard, and "retro synth washes" as described by Bill Lamb of About.com.[5] Lyrically, the song revolves around romantic regret.[5] Adam Lambert sings about "a lover who knows you inside and out".[4]

Critical reception

"Better Than I Know Myself" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Contessa Gayles of AOL Music Blog wrote, "The 'American Idol' star's new mid-tempo track is a Dr. Luke and Claude Kelly production about a lover who knows you inside and out" and called the song an "epic piano ballad". She also complimented Adam Lambert's "gifted vocals".[4] Bill Lamb of About.com said, "Adam Lambert's voice is a unique and powerful instrument, but when the song and production are dull, even the best voice can't completely turn things around."[5]

Liz Barker of MTV called the song "one of Adam's biggest, boldest and most beautiful tracks to date".[6] Billboard's Jason Lipshutz compared the song's "winning pop-rock formula" to Lambert's 2009 breakthrough single "Whataya Want from Me" and wrote: "While "Better Than I Know Myself" is not as immediately overpowering, repeated listenings amplify the untamed vulnerability that has become Lambert's defining asset. [...] Like any talented pop artist, Lambert understands subtle reflection as well as epic bombast."[7] According to Rolling Stone reviewer Jody Rosen, the song showcases "Lambert's superhuman vocal range", while referring to the song as "formulaic pop".[8]

Chart performance

In the United States, the song debuted at number seventy-six on the Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated January 7, 2012, before its official radio add date.[9]

Live performances

Adam Lambert performed "Better Than I Know Myself" for the first time on January 17, 2012 on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[10] He appeared with minimal make-up while wearing a black suit and white shirt with no tie.[11]

Track listing

  • Digital download[12]
  1. "Better Than I Know Myself" – 3:36

Charts

Chart (2011–12) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] 56
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[14] 6
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 76

Radio and release history

Country Date Format Label
Worldwide December 20, 2011[12] Digital download 19 Recordings, RCA Records
United States January 23, 2012[15] Adult contemporary radio airplay
January 24, 2012[2] Mainstream radio airplay

References

  1. ^ a b "Global Superstar Adam Lambert To Release Highly Anticipated Second Album 'Trespassing' On March 20th, 2012". RCA Records. RCA Records. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Retrieved 2012-01-19.
  3. ^ "Adam Lambert Announces "Better Than I Know Myself" As Lead 'Trespassing' Single". 2011-11-19. Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  4. ^ a b c Gayles, Contessa (16 December 2011). "Adam Lambert 'Better Than I Know Myself' Song Debuts". AOL. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  5. ^ a b c Lamb, Bill. "Review: Adam Lambert - Better Than I Know Myself". About.com. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  6. ^ Barker, Liz (19 December 2011). "New Song: Adam Lambert, 'Better Than I Know Myself'". MTV. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  7. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (2 January 2012). "Track Review: Adam Lambert, 'Better Than I Know Myself'". Billboard. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  8. ^ Rosen, Jody (30 December 2011). "Better Than I Know Myself | Song Reviews". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b "US Billboard Hot 100: Biggest Jump". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 29 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  10. ^ Halperin, Shirley (18 January 2012). "Video: 'American Idol's' Adam Lambert Debuts New Look, Single On 'The Tonight Show'". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 18 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  11. ^ Sciarretto, Amy (18 January 2012). "Adam Lambert Performs 'Better Than I Know Myself' With Less Eyeliner on 'Tonight Show'". PopCrush. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  12. ^ a b "iTunes - Music - Better Than I Know Myself - Single by Adam Lambert". iTunes Store. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  13. ^ "Adam Lambert: Better Than I Know Myself on Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. B.Biz. Retrieved 29 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  14. ^ "Adam Lambert: Better Than I Know Myself" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  15. ^ http://www.webcitation.org/64oeZ1rxE
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