Now I Know (Eddie Fisher song)

Release and reception

After the modest success with "People Like You", Eddie Fisher recorded "Now I Know" with "I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do" written by Lee Pockriss and Paul Vance as the B-side in early 1967.^[6] The flip was lifted from his People Like You album released the same month.^[7] The songs were produced by Al Schmitt, with arrangements by Claus Ogerman and Marty Manning.^[8]

The single gained short, but positive reviews upon its release. Record World put the single in its "Single Picks of the Week", and wrote: "Eddie Fisher makes it three in a row with 'Now I Know,' a tearful, sentimental ballad," and added that "It is the kind of single that makes good music better."^[9] Cashbox said that the single had "noisemaking offerings", noting that "Middle of-the-roaders should dig this pretty, swaying charmer." The described the flip as a "melancholy ballad" as well.^[6]

Chart performance

In the summer of 1967, the track reached No. 23 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart.^[10] On Record World's Top Non-Rock, the song peaked at No. 19,^[11] and on the magazine's Up-Coming Singles chart the song peaked at No. 14, (No. 114 with the 100 Top Pops).^[12] William Ruhlmann of AllMusic commented that "'People Like You' barely registered on the pop charts," and that "'Now I Know' got even less attention in the spring."^[13] It was his last charting single, and his recording career basically came to an end, with Fisher only recording a tribute album You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet the next year.^[14]

Release and reception

In early 1967 Jack Jones topped the Easy Listening chart with "Lady" composed by Bert Kaempfert.^[15] Wanting to repeat the success, he recorded another song composed by a well-known German composer, James Last, with "Now I Know". The flip was written by Tommy Karen, Allan Reuss and Rainey Robinson, and titled "More and More".^[4] The songs were produced by Dave Kapp himself, with arrangements by Ralph Carmichael and Bob Florence.^[16] The single itself was released in late May 1967, with the catalogue number 833.^[17]

The single received a positive critical reception. Billboard magazine stated that the tracks are "Two powerful sides, both loaded with programming and top sales potential. First is a smooth, lush treatment of the beautiful James Last ballad from Germany." They noted that the "Flip is a top rendition of the much-recorded easy swinger with equal potential.^[3] Record World put the single in its "Song of the Week" singles section, believing that it's a "pretty ballad Jack does for plenty of summer interest."^[2] Cashbox said that "Vet songster Jones is in a strong position to score a big one with the gentle, lyrical 'Now I Know.'" They also wrote that the song "should get plenty of spins and sales. On the other side, 'More And More' offers a rhythmic blues tinged romancer".^[4]

Chart performance

Jones's version peaked at No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Easy Listening chart.^[18] The single was also ranked at No. 43 on the Easy Listening chart's year-end top 50 list.^[19] The track debuted on Cashbox magazine's Top 100 Singles chart in the issue dated June 3, 1967, reaching No. 74 during a seven-week run on it.^[20] It debuted on Record World magazine's Top Non-Rock chart at the same time, peaking at No. 3.^[21] It appeared on the magazine's Pop Singles charts on June 17, reaching No. 72 after two weeks.^[22]

After his next single, "Our Song", did well on the charts, Jones recorded an album with the same name, which included "Now I Know" and its B-side.^[23]