Tell Me (Groove Theory song)

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"Tell Me"
Single by Groove Theory
from the album Groove Theory
ReleasedJune 23, 1995 (1995-06-23)[1]
GenreR&B
Length3:56
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Bryce Wilson
Groove Theory singles chronology
"Tell Me"
(1995) 		"Keep Tryin'"
(1996)

"Tell Me" is a song by American R&B duo Groove Theory from their debut album, Groove Theory (1995). The track is a cover of Rhythm-N-Bass' 1993 song "Tell Me (If You Want Me Too)"[2], which was also produced by Bryce Wilson.[3] The song contains an interpolation of Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long" which itself interpolates Keni Burke's "Risin' to the Top".[4][5]

Released as a single in June 1995, "Tell Me" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 10 in Australia and Canada, peaking at numbers six and eight, respectively. The single also peaked at number 14 in New Zealand and number 31 in both Iceland and the United Kingdom. "Tell Me" is certified gold in Australia and the United States.

Music video[edit]

The accompanying music video for "Tell Me", directed by Daniela Federeci, begins with Amel Larrieux and Bryce Wilson in a recording studio. Amel sings into the microphone, whilst Bryce produces behind the studio panel. Amel bops in front a city skyline in other scenes. In between scenes are transitional shots, which feature either Amel singing or Bryce nodding.

Legacy[edit]

In 2003, Raymond & Co wrote "Playing Games", which was melodically inspired by "Tell Me". In 2017, Australian singer Starley wrote "Touch Me", which was also heavily inspired by "Tell Me".[6]

Accolades for "Tell Me"
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Pitchfork The 53 Best R&B Songs of the ’90s
*
[7]
The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s
189
[8]
Soul Bounce Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
46
[9]

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Gold 35,000^
United States (RIAA)[1] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 23, 1995
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Epic [1]
August 1, 1995 Rhythmic contemporary radio [36]

AXSHN version[edit]

On June 9, 2017, production group AXSHN released a version of the song featuring Mexican singer Sofia Reyes.[37] Erica Russell from PopCrush described it as a "throbbing tropical dance banger". The reviewer also highlighted Reyes' voice, writing "Sofia's smooth, sultry vocals beckon to the dance floor like the reflection of the moon sparkling against the Caribbean Sea".[38]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "American single certifications – Groove Theory – Tell me". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "Groove Theory's "Tell Me" cover of Rhythm-N-Bass' "Tell Me (If You Want Me Too)"". WhoSampled.com.
  3. ^ From Mantronix to Groove Theory: Bryce Wilson's Journey – Discovering Amel Larrieux & Producing Hits. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  4. ^ "Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long" interpolation of Keni Burke's "Risin to the Top"". WhoSampled.com.
  5. ^ "Groove Theory's "Tell Me" interpolation of Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long"". WhoSampled.com.
  6. ^ "STARLEY Releases Highly Anticipated Follow Up Single 'Touch Me' On Tinted Records". Amnplify. June 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  7. ^ "The 53 Best R&B Songs of the '90s". Pitchfork. November 3, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". Pitchfork. September 27, 2022. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  9. ^ Mami, Ill (June 3, 2008). "Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  10. ^ "Groove Theory – Tell Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 8. February 24, 1996. p. 44.
  12. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 47. November 25, 1995. p. 18.
  13. ^ "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. December 16, 1995. p. 18. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  14. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (10.2. – 16.2. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 10, 1996. p. 26. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  15. ^ "Groove Theory – Tell Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  16. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  18. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  19. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  20. ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. November 4, 1995. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. October 28, 1995. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  22. ^ "Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. October 28, 1995. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "Pop Airplay". Billboard. February 17, 1996. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  24. ^ "Rhythmic Airplay". Billboard. November 4, 1995. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  25. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  26. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-38.
  27. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-44.
  28. ^ "The Year in Music 1995: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Top Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 3, no. 51. December 15, 1995. p. 9.
  29. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1996". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  30. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  31. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-40.
  32. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-45.
  33. ^ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 30.
  34. ^ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32.
  35. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  36. ^ "Selected New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1105. July 28, 1995. p. 35.
  37. ^ "Tell Me (feat. Sofia Reyes) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  38. ^ Russell, Erica (June 8, 2017). "AXSHN and Sofia Reyes Give Groove Theory's 'Tell Me' a Tropical Twist". PopCrush. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
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