I've Been Thinking About You

For a song by Mariah Carey, see I've Been Thinking About You (Mariah Carey song).

"I've Been Thinking About You"
Single by Londonbeat
from the album In the Blood
B-side	"9AM"
Released	August 1990 (1990-08)
Genre	Dance-pop Eurodance
Length	5:17 (album version) 3:49 (radio edit and video version)
Label	Radioactive Anxious
Songwriter(s)	Jimmy Chambers George Chandler Jimmy Helms William Henshall
Producer(s)	Martyn Phillips[1]
Londonbeat singles chronology
"It Takes Two Baby" (1989) "I've Been Thinking About You" (1990) "A Better Love" (1990)
Music video
"I've Been Thinking About You" on YouTube

"I've Been Thinking About You" is a song by British-American band Londonbeat, released in August 1990 by Radioactive and Anxious as the lead single from their second studio album, In the Blood (1990). The song was produced by Martyn Phillips,^[1] and written by band members Jimmy Chambers, George Chandler, Jimmy Helms, and William Henshall. It became a major worldwide hit, reaching the number-one spot in more than 10 countries—including Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States—and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song became the no. 1 radio airplay record in the US and was the BMI Awards Winner for 1992 Song of the Year.^[2]

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Jim Smith described the song as "soulful dance", noting that Londonbeat's "pleasant harmonies and pumping flow are undeniably catchy".^[3] Another AllMusic editor, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, called it "dazzling".^[4] David Taylor-Wilson from Bay Area Reporter declared it as "infectious", remarking that the band "blends Motownlike harmonies with dance grooves that incorporate ’70s funk rhythms".^[5] A reviewer from Billboard complimented its "tasty blend" and "unshakable pop hook".^[6] Steve Morse from Boston Globe named it "a catchy soul-funk ditty" and "a deserved hit".^[7] Marisa Fox from Entertainment Weekly noted its "hypnotically catchy chorus, sweet harmonies, and slow, rollicking beat".^[8] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented, "It's always a treat when a song comes along that I can't wait to review. Impossible not to detect a Fine Young Cannibals influence on this production that's been the biggest buzz record for the past couple of weeks." He added, "An international smash that's gone to #1 in no less than eleven countries, it's destined to win over audiences in the U.S.A., too. Top 40 radio is in dire need of more music like this!"^[9]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "C&W-tinged pop number underpins the band's characteristic massed gospel vocal style complete with jangling, melodic guitars and the sort of chorus which they patently lacked on their debut LP Speak. The first release from the forthcoming second LP In the Blood shows a definite maturity."^[10] David Giles from Music Week found that the band have "taken note of dancefloor developments and ditched the go go based rhythms of old for a deep-rooted funkiness and R&B influenced vocal."^[11] Stephen Holden from New York Times wrote, "Londonbeat is a textbook example of a group that recombines familiar pop-soul sounds in a personal and engaging way. Its single [...] blends the light, machine-driven rhythms of Soul II Soul with the post-Motown vocal style of Fine Young Cannibals."^[12] Parry Gettelman from Orlando Sentinel noted that "its dance groove is blended with lush, postmodern R&B played on both synthesized and gen-u-ine instruments."^[13] Ian Cranna from Smash Hits said the rhythm is "straight out of the Stock, Aitken & Watermans book of bounciness".^[14] Bob Mack from Spin felt it "is too damn catchy".^[15]

Chart performance

In Europe, "I've Been Thinking About You" peaked at number one in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100. Additionally, it reached number two in Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, it peaked in its sixth week at the UK Singles Chart, on 6 October 1990.^[16] The song was also a top-10 hit in Denmark, Greece and Ireland. Outside Europe, "I've Been Thinking About You" topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Dance Club Play charts in the United States, the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart in Canada, and in Australia, Israel and Zimbabwe.

It was awarded with a gold record in Austria (25,000), Germany (250,000) and the US (500,000), a silver record in the UK (200,000), and a platinum record in Australia (70,000), the Netherlands (100,000) and Sweden (50,000).

Impact and legacy

"I've Been Thinking About You" became the no. 1 radio airplay record in the US and was the BMI Awards Winner for 1992 Song of the Year, honoring the songwriters, composers and music publishers of the song.^[2] It was also awarded one of BMI's Pop Awards in the category for Million Performance Songs in 1993.^[17] Australian music channel Max included the song in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2013.^[18] American magazine Billboard placed "I've Been Thinking About You" at number 158 in their ranking of "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s" in 2019.^[19]

Track listings

7-inch single "I've Been Thinking About You" – 3:49 "9AM" (live at Moles) – 5:49 CD maxi "I've Been Thinking About You" (7-inch version) – 3:49 "I've Been Thinking About You" (C'est Wot mix) – 5:38 "9AM" (live at Moles) – 5:49 CD maxi and cassette maxi – US "I've Been Thinking About You" (Def 12-inch mix) – 6:50 "I've Been Thinking About You" (Red Zone mix) – 4:42 "I've Been Thinking About You" (reprise) – 1:33 "I've Been Thinking About You" (vocal dub) – 5:50 "I've Been Thinking About You" (the Eclipse mix) – 4:12 "I've Been Thinking About You" (Trak mix) – 3:05

CD single "I've Been Thinking About You" – 3:49 "9AM" (live at Moles) – 5:49 12-inch maxi "I've Been Thinking About You" (C'est Wot mix) "I've Been Thinking About You" (Force Feel dub mix) "I've Been Thinking About You" (7-inch version) 12-inch maxi "I've Been Thinking About You" (extended club mix) "I've Been Thinking About You" (radio edit) "I've Been Thinking About You" (instrumental) "I've Been Thinking About You" (dub)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1990–1991) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[20] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[21] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22] 1 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[23] 1 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[24] 5 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[25] 3 Denmark (IFPI)[26] 3 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[27] 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[28] 1 France (SNEP)[29] 11 Germany (GfK)[30] 1 Greece (IFPI)[31] 3 Ireland (IRMA)[32] 9 Italy (Musica e dischi)[33] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[34] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[35] 1 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[36] 5 Norway (VG-lista)[37] 2 Spain (AFYVE)[38] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[16] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[41] 1 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[42] 7 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[43] 1 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[44] 2 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[45] 83 Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[46] 1 Chart (2020) Peak position Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[47] 63

Year-end charts Chart (1990) Position Belgium (Ultratop)[48] 5 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[49] 24 Germany (Official German Charts)[50] 22 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[51] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[52] 2 UK Singles (OCC)[53] 29 Chart (1991) Position Australia (ARIA)[54] 8 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[55] 14 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[56] 40 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[57] 19 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[58] 14 Germany (Official German Charts)[59] 19 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[60] 32 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[61] 26 US Billboard Hot 100[62] 31 2024 year-end chart performance for "I've Been Thinking About You" Chart (2024) Position Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[63] 156 Decade-end charts Chart (1990–1999) Position Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[64] 50

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[65]	Platinum	70,000^^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[66]	Gold	25,000^*
Germany (BVMI)[67]	Gold	250,000^^
Netherlands (NVPI)[68]	Platinum	100,000^^
Sweden (GLF)[69]	Platinum	50,000^^
United Kingdom (BPI)[70]	Silver	200,000^^
United States (RIAA)[71]	Gold	500,000^^
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

• In 2019, German DJ/producer, Klaas remixed a version of the song featuring newly recorded vocals from Londonbeat.^[72]
• The song is heavily sampled by Alcazar in their 2004 single Physical

See also

• List of European number-one airplay songs of the 1990s

References

1. "Martyn Phillips". Martyn Phillips. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
2. "Londonbeat" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 44. 31 October 1992. p. 4. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
3. Smith, Jim. "Londonbeat - In the Blood". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
4. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Londonbeat – Very Best of Londonbeat". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
5. Taylor-Wilson, David (4 April 1991). "The Sounds Around". Bay Area Reporter. p. 42. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
6. "Album Reviews: New And Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. 16 February 1991. p. 70. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
7. Morse, Steve (28 March 1991). "Record Review" Boston Globe.
8. Fox, Marisa (22 March 1991). "In the Blood". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
9. Sholin, Dave (25 January 1991). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1840. p. 56. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
10. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 32. 11 August 1990. p. 12. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
11. Giles, David (11 August 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 19. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
12. Holden, Stephen (10 April 1991). "The Pop Life" New York Times.
13. Gettelman, Parry (31 May 1991). "Londonbeat" Orlando Sentinel.
14. Cranna, Ian (3 October 1990). "Review: LPs". Smash Hits. No. 309. p. 62. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
15. Mack, Bob (May 1991). "London Calling". Spin. p. 20. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
17. "BMI Congratulates" (PDF). Music Week. 20 November 1993. p. 2. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
18. "The Top 1,000 Greatest Songs Of All Time – 2013". Max. 2013. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
19. "Greatest of All Time: Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s". Billboard. 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
20. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
21. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
22. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
23. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1498." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
24. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1517." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
25. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1495." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
26. "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 46. 17 November 1990. p. 11. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
27. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 40. 6 October 1990. p. 11. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
28. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
29. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in French). Les classement single.
30. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
31. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 8. 23 February 1991. p. 30. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
32. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I've Been Thinking About You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
33. "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 49. 8 December 1990. p. 13. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
34. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Londonbeat" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
35. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
36. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". Top 40 Singles.
37. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". VG-lista.
38. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
39. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". Singles Top 100.
40. "Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". Swiss Singles Chart.
41. "Londonbeat Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
42. "Londonbeat Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
43. "Londonbeat Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
44. "Londonbeat Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
45. "Londonbeat Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
46. Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
47. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
48. "Jaaroverzichten 1990" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
49. "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. 22 December 1990. p. 60. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 15 January 2020 – via World Radio History.
50. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1990" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
51. "Single Top 100 Over 1990" (PDF) (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 August 2009.
52. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
53. "1990 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 2 March 1991. p. 41.
54. "1991 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
55. "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved 23 November 2017 – via Library and Archives Canada.
56. "RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved 29 October 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
57. "RPM Dance Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved 29 October 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
58. "Eurochart Hot 100 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. 21 December 1991. p. 21. Retrieved 17 January 2020 – via American Radio History.
59. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
60. "End of Year Charts 1991". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
61. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1991" (in German). Retrieved 29 October 2019.
62. "Billboard Top 100 – 1991". Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
63. "Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Annual Chart: 2024". TopHit. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
64. Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on 29 August 2000. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
65. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1991 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
66. "Austrian single certifications – London Beat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in German). IFPI Austria.
67. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Londonbeat; 'I've Been Thinking About You')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
68. "Dutch single certifications – London Beat – I've Been Thinking About You" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter I've Been Thinking About You in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1990 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
69. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
70. "British single certifications – Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". British Phonographic Industry.
71. "American single certifications – London Beat – I've Been Thinking About You". Recording Industry Association of America.
72. Miller, Dan (22 May 2019). "Klaas & Londonbeat – I've Been Thinking About You". DJ Times.

External links

• Londonbeat Official Website
• Facebook Page