"Nobody Knows" is a song by American R&B singer Tony Rich (then known as the Tony Rich Project) from his 1996 debut album, Words. It was written by Joe Rich and Don DuBose, and produced by Tony Rich. Released as his debut single on November 7, 1995, by LaFace and Arista Records, the song peaked at number two on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Adult Contemporary charts. It also became a hit in several other countries, reaching number one in Ireland, number two in Australia and Canada, and number four in the United Kingdom. Rich received a nomination for the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Critical reception James Hamilton from Music Weeks RM Dance Update described the song as a "mushily harmonised US smash crossover smoocher melodically reminiscent of Chairmen Of The Board's 'Patches'."
Track listings
US CD single "Nobody Knows" (album version) – 5:06 "Nobody Knows" (Eddie F.'s Untouchable remix) – 6:17 "Nobody Knows" (Rich remix) – 5:32 "Nobody Knows" (album instrumental) – 5:06
US cassette single "Nobody Knows" (radio edit) "Nobody Knows" (album instrumental)
European CD single "Nobody Knows" (album version) – 5:20 "Nobody Knows" (album instrumental) – 5:20
UK and Australian CD single "Nobody Knows" (radio edit) – 4:22 "Nobody Knows" (Rich single edit) – 4:22 "Nobody Knows" (Untouchable Flava edit) – 4:21 "Nobody Knows" (album version) – 5:06
UK cassette single "Nobody Knows" (radio edit) "Nobody Knows" (Rich single edit)
Credits and personnel Credits are taken from the US CD single liner notes.Studios Recorded at Studio LaCoCo (Atlanta, Georgia) Mixed and mastered at The Hit Factory (New York City)Personnel'''
Joe Rich – writing Don DuBose – writing Tony Rich – vocals, all instruments except acoustic guitar, production, arrangement Peter Moore – acoustic guitar Neal H Pogue – recording John Frye – recording assistance Jon Gass – mixing Danny Berniny – mixing assistance Herb Powers – mastering Antonio M. Reid – executive production Davett Singletary – creative direction Angela Skouras – art direction Daniel Soder – photography Derick Procope – stylist Barry White – hair stylist and make-up
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1996)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100) 15Europe (European Dance Radio) 2Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 35Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) Search "Nobody Knows" for Israeli chart history. 15US Billboard Hot 100 2US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 2US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) 7US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 11US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard) 2US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard) 1
Year-end charts Chart (1996)PositionAustralia (ARIA) 33Canada Top Singles (RPM) 22Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) 15Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 50Netherlands (Single Top 100) 80Sweden (Topplistan) 85UK Singles (OCC) 29UK Airplay (Music Week) 10US Billboard Hot 100 4US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 6US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) 12US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 30US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard) 8US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard) 7
Decade-end charts Chart (1990–1999)PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 61
All-time charts Chart (1958–2018)PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 136
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesNovember 7, 1995December 5, 1995United KingdomApril 22, 1996
Kevin Sharp version
American country music artist Kevin Sharp recorded a cover version of the song on his 1996 debut album, Measure of a Man. It was released on September 23, 1996, as his debut single. It became his only number-one single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, spending four weeks on the chart.
Critical reception Deborah Evans Price of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that his "smooth, melodic voice and sensitive interpretation of the lyric signal show promise for this talented new artist."Billboard, October 12, 1996.
Music video The music video was directed by Jeffrey Phillips and premiered in late 1996.
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1997) PeakpositionUS Hot Country Singles & Tracks (Billboard) 1
Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position Canada Country Tracks (RPM) 22 US Hot Country Singles & Tracks (Billboard) 51
Other versions In 1997, saxophonist Richard Elliot covered the song from his album Jumpin' Off. Eli Mattson delivered a piano/vocal cover on the third season of America's Got Talent in 2008. British boyband JLS also recorded a cover of the song; it was leaked onto the internet in June 2010 and has now appeared as the B-side to their single She Makes Me Wanna. British pop singer Shayne Ward included a cover on his third album, Obsession. The song is featured on the Boyzone album, BZ20'', released in November 2013.
References