I Know What I’m Here For

I Know What I’m Here For was chosen as the first single from the Millionaires album. Supported by a Radio 1 A-listing, a performance on Channel 4’s TFI Friday and a hi-tech MTV-friendly video, hopes for the single were high for both the band and record company.

Saul commented “I Know What I’m Here For was chosen as the first single because we felt it really didn’t sound like James – it’s up, quite joyous and, I thought, not very commercial. I’m surprised by the reaction to it from the media; this is the first time in a long time we’ve had MTV support so we’re quietly pleased.”

Wary that their fans had been unhappy at the quality of some of the b-sides from the Whiplash and Best Of singles, the band made a conscientious attempt to produce high quality b-sides. Four new tracks – All Good Boys, Downstairs, Imagine Ourselves and Stolen Horse – were a throwback to the early nineties in that the singles were like EPs rather than singles with b-sides as a seeming afterthought. The single’s artwork was designed by Subliminal.

The video featured Tim in a shiny silver suit and dancers in various coloured leathers. Electronic imagery was used to zoom in and out and alternate between 2D and 3D.

However, the traditional one-week delay on the original release date and Mercury’s insistence on a £2.99 price tag contributed to a relatively disappointing chart position of 22.

Reviews

Music Week (Single of the Week)

In their rollercoaster career James scaled new heights in 1998 thanks to their chart-topping double platinum Best Of album and biggest arena tour yet. Reunited here with producer Brian Eno, they sound like a band again for the first time since 1997s She’s A Star – one of the Nineties strongest comebacks. The chorus, reminiscent of 1990s Come Home, is big enough to reverberate around any stadium, but the subtle synthesised folk of the arrangement manages to avoid any sense of bombast. Airplay – which includes a B-listing at Radio One – is growing, and the forthcoming album could be one of the autumn’s biggest.

Daily Express

It’s up to old faithfuls James to redeem matters with I Know What I’m Here For. The confidence of the title carries over into the song, which is brash, bold and surprisingly funky.

• All Good Boys :1999
• Downstairs :1999
• I Know What I’m Here For :1999
• Imagine Ourselves :1999
• Stolen Horse :1999

Open in Spotify

• I Know What I’m Here For