I Know What I'm Here For
| "I Know What I'm Here For" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by James | |
| from the album Millionaires | |
| Released | 1999 |
| Length | 3:56 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Brian Eno |
"I Know What I'm Here For" is a song by British rock band James. It was the first single released from their eighth studio album, Millionaires,[1] and reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart.
Background, release and reception
"It's about the meaning of life. It's also about the nature of being in a band: the fulfilment of adolescent fantasies of endless drugs, drink and sex. But unless there's self-discipline, it can easily become a nightmare… Initially we did it almost as a blues song, but [producer] Brian Eno came up with the wacky, space-funk hookline. It became the album's first single, to make an announcement that we'e gone into a new musical area." – Tim Booth, singer[2]
The single was released on CD and cassette and reached number 22 in the UK Top 40 chart, spending five weeks on the chart.[3]
A live version and a video appeared on the limited edition two-disc edition of Millionaires.
The backing to the song was used by Ford in adverts shown during broadcasts of the UEFA Champions League in the 2007/2008 football season.[citation needed]
Peter Buckley, in The Rough Guide to Rock, described it as an "effortless soaring track".[4] In contrast, Victoria Segal, reviewing the track for the NME, described it as "not interesting ... just silly".[5]
Track listing
CD1 (Fontana JIMCD 22)
- "I Know What I'm Here For" – 3:56
- "All Good Boys" – 4:13
- "Imagine Ourselves" – 4:31
CD2 (Fontana JIMDD 22)
- "I Know What I'm Here For"
- "Downstairs"
- "Stolen Horse"
Cassette (Fontana JIMMC22)
- "I Know What I'm Here For"
- "All Good Boys"
CD Maxi-single (Mercury 562 261-2)
- "I Know What I'm Here For" – 3:56
- "All Good Boys" – 4:13
- "Imagine Ourselves" – 4:31
- "Downstairs"
Charts
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scotland (OCC)[6] | 14 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 22 |
References
- ^ Carlson, Dean. "James – Millionaires". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
- ^ "Your guide to the best tracks from the best albums of 1999". Q. No. 160. January 2000. p. 3.
- ^ "James". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
- ^ Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. p. 531. ISBN 978-1-8435-3105-0.
- ^ Segal, Victoria (17 July 1999). "James : I know what I'm here for". NME. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 January 2019.