Better the Devil You Know
Encyclopedia
"Better the Devil You Know" is a dance-pop
song
written by Stock, Aitken & Waterman
for Kylie Minogue
's third studio album
Rhythm of Love
.
in April 1990
, and its music video
helped Minogue break out of her early "girl-next-door" image.
Backing vocals for the song were provided by Minogue, Mae McKenna, Mike Stock, and Miriam Stockley.
The release of "Better the Devil You Know" marked a milestone in Kylie's career. Taking creative control over her image, Kylie returned in March 1990 with a new look and a new sound.
Featuring a striking video which Kylie filmed in Australia away from the constraints of PWL, "Better the Devil You Know" debuted at number 5 in the UK. The following week it moved up to number 2 to become her 10th top 5 single in Britain and 12th worldwide.
"Better the Devil You Know" also hit the number 1 spot in Israel, made number 4 in Australia and Malaysia, number 5 in Finland, number 11 in Spain, and went top 40 in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Sweden and Switzerland.
re-issued the song as part of their 25th Anniversary Celebrations. The re-issue reached #59 on the Australian ARIA Charts in 1998.
The music video for "Better the Devil You Know" was directed by Paul Goldman. The video featured Minogue in very mild sexually suggestive scenes with a black man, who played the role of her lover. It caused some controversy as it presented Minogue in a much more mature image than videos from earlier years, for example "I Should Be So Lucky
" (1987), that portrayed her as more innocent.
In the video, Minogue can be seen dancing more suggestively than in her previous efforts. At the time she was dating INXS singer Michael Hutchence, she is wearing one of his rings in the clip, a large silver 'M'. His mother, Patricia Glassop a make up artist did the make up. In this clip she can also be seen voguing
. This was a style of dance which was made famous by Madonna
around the same time with her global number 1 hit "Vogue". Madonna brought the dance from the underground gay clubs of New York, its presence and Madonna's influence at the time can be seen here in Minogues video and in others from the time such as the 1990 smash hit "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
" by the C+C Music Factory
. Madonna's influence on Minogue went further than this video, she later recorded 4 tracks with Madonna's long time boyfriend and collaborater of some of her biggest 80's hits, Stephen Bray
. The Rhythm of Love Tour
also heavily borrowed from Madonna's highly successful Vogue video in their choreography, costume and sets - something she was criticised for heavily at the time. The video remains though a pinnacle in Minogue's career, for it was the birth of a more experimental and sexual Kylie.
movie If Looks Could Kill.
The song was also heard in a Coca Cola commercial in 1990.
7" single
12" single
iTunes
Digital EP - Remixes
(Not available at time of original release. Released for the first time as part of iTunes
PWL archive release in 2009.)
Other official versions
The song was also performed on:
in 1997, pop group Steps in 1999
, peaking at #4 in the UK charts as a double A-side with "Say You'll Be Mine", and by Atomic Kitten
in early 2000.
In 2009, European pop group Village Boys made a version of the song.
In 2010, Miss Fitz, from Eurovision: Your Country Needs You, sang this song. Miss Fitz was also in X Factor
the year before but only made it to bootcamp stage.
contestant Leon Jackson
in the show's final. Jackson, who was mentored by Minogue's sister Dannii
, went on to win the X Factor and its £1 million recording contract.
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
written by Stock, Aitken & Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman, sometimes known as SAW, were a UK songwriting and record producing trio consisting of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. They had great success during the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s...
for Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
's third studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
Rhythm of Love
Rhythm of Love (Kylie Minogue album)
Australian Tour Souvenir/The Gold Album# "Step Back in Time" – 7:55# "What Do I Have to Do" – 7:08# "Shocked" – 3:10Australian limited edition CD album repackaged with SHOCKED single...
.
Background
"Better the Devil You Know" was released as the album's first singleSingle (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in April 1990
1990 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze...
, and its music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
helped Minogue break out of her early "girl-next-door" image.
Backing vocals for the song were provided by Minogue, Mae McKenna, Mike Stock, and Miriam Stockley.
The release of "Better the Devil You Know" marked a milestone in Kylie's career. Taking creative control over her image, Kylie returned in March 1990 with a new look and a new sound.
Featuring a striking video which Kylie filmed in Australia away from the constraints of PWL, "Better the Devil You Know" debuted at number 5 in the UK. The following week it moved up to number 2 to become her 10th top 5 single in Britain and 12th worldwide.
"Better the Devil You Know" also hit the number 1 spot in Israel, made number 4 in Australia and Malaysia, number 5 in Finland, number 11 in Spain, and went top 40 in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Sweden and Switzerland.
Continued popularity
The song is played at 12.30 a.m. every Saturday night at the "G-A-Y" club at London's Heaven nightclub. The song has become an all-time favourite amongst many people and is often considered a 1990s classic. In 1998, Australian record company Mushroom RecordsMushroom Records
Mushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
re-issued the song as part of their 25th Anniversary Celebrations. The re-issue reached #59 on the Australian ARIA Charts in 1998.
Music video
I Should Be So Lucky
"I Should Be So Lucky" is a pop-dance song performed by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman for Minogue's debut album Kylie .The song was released as the album's second single in December 1987...
" (1987), that portrayed her as more innocent.
In the video, Minogue can be seen dancing more suggestively than in her previous efforts. At the time she was dating INXS singer Michael Hutchence, she is wearing one of his rings in the clip, a large silver 'M'. His mother, Patricia Glassop a make up artist did the make up. In this clip she can also be seen voguing
Vogue (dance)
Vogue or voguing is a highly stylized, modern house dance that evolved out of the Harlem ballroom scene in the 1960s. It gained mainstream exposure when it was featured in Madonna's song and video "Vogue" , and when showcased in the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning...
. This was a style of dance which was made famous by Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
around the same time with her global number 1 hit "Vogue". Madonna brought the dance from the underground gay clubs of New York, its presence and Madonna's influence at the time can be seen here in Minogues video and in others from the time such as the 1990 smash hit "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
"Gonna Make You Sweat " was C+C Music Factory's first hit. It was released in late 1990 in many countries and achieved a great success in U.S., Austria, Germany and Switzerland where it reached number one on the charts....
" by the C+C Music Factory
C+C Music Factory
C+C Music Factory is a dance-pop and hip hop group formed in 1989 by David Cole and Robert Clivillés which stopped recording 1996, following Cole's death...
. Madonna's influence on Minogue went further than this video, she later recorded 4 tracks with Madonna's long time boyfriend and collaborater of some of her biggest 80's hits, Stephen Bray
Stephen Bray
Stephen Bray is an American songwriter, drummer, and record producer from Detroit. Bray is best known for his collaboration with Madonna.Bray began studying music through private instruction in Detroit, and continued his education at Berklee College of Music in Boston.Bray owns and operates Saturn...
. The Rhythm of Love Tour
Rhythm of Love Tour
The Rhythm of Love Tour was the second world tour undertaken by Kylie Minogue, in support of her hit album Rhythm of Love. Beginning on 10 February 1991, the tour visited Australia and Southern Asia....
also heavily borrowed from Madonna's highly successful Vogue video in their choreography, costume and sets - something she was criticised for heavily at the time. The video remains though a pinnacle in Minogue's career, for it was the birth of a more experimental and sexual Kylie.
In movies and television
"Better the Devil You Know" was featured in the Richard GriecoRichard Grieco
Richard John Grieco, Jr. is an American actor and former fashion model.-Early life:Richard Grieco was born in Watertown, New York, the son of Carolyn and Richard Grieco. He is of Italian and Irish descent. Grieco played football for Central Connecticut State University.-Career:Grieco worked as a...
movie If Looks Could Kill.
The song was also heard in a Coca Cola commercial in 1990.
Kylie version
CD single- "Better the Devil You Know" – 3:52
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Mad March Hare Mix) – 7:09
- "I'm Over Dreaming (Over You)" (7" Mix) – 3:21
7" single
- "Better the Devil You Know" – 3:52
- "I'm Over Dreaming (Over You)" (7" Mix) – 3:21
12" single
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Mad March Hare Mix) – 7:09
- "I'm Over Dreaming (Over You)" (Extended Mix) – 4:54
iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
Digital EP - Remixes
(Not available at time of original release. Released for the first time as part of iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
PWL archive release in 2009.)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (7" Backing Track)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (7" Instrumental)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Alternative Mix)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Dave Ford Remix)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Movers & Shakers 12" Backing Track)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Movers & Shakers 12" Instrumental)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Movers & Shakers 12" Mix)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Movers & Shakers 7" Backing Track)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Movers & Shakers 7" Instrumental)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Movers & Shakers 7" Mix)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Movers & Shakers Alternative 12" Mix)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Movers & Shakers Alternative Backing Track)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (Movers & Shakers Alternative Instrumental)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (The Mad March Hare Mix)
- "Better the Devil You Know" (US Remix)
Other official versions
- "Better the Devil You Know" (X2008 Tour Studio Version) – 4:19
Steps version
- "Say You'll Be Mine" – 3:32
- "Better the Devil You Know" – 3:49
- "Better the Devil You Know" (2T's 2 Go Mix) – 5:53
Live performances
Kylie performed the song on the following concert tours:- Enjoy Yourself TourEnjoy Yourself TourThe Enjoy Yourself Tour was Kylie Minogue's first world tour following the success of her second studio album, Enjoy Yourself. By the start of the European leg of the tour, Minogue had started to take control of her image and musical direction, demonstrated by the release of the career milestone...
(European Leg only) - Rhythm of Love TourRhythm of Love TourThe Rhythm of Love Tour was the second world tour undertaken by Kylie Minogue, in support of her hit album Rhythm of Love. Beginning on 10 February 1991, the tour visited Australia and Southern Asia....
- Let's Get to It TourLet's Get to It TourThe Let's Get to It Tour was a Kylie Minogue concert tour of the UK and Ireland in late 1991. The tour was a continuation of the previous Rhythm of Love Tour which had already visited Australia and Asia. Together with five dancers, Minogue staged the tour in support of the album Let's Get to It...
- Intimate and Live Tour
- On a Night Like This TourOn A Night Like This TourOn a Night Like This Tour is a Kylie Minogue concert tour in support of her seventh studio album Light Years that began in March 2001. Having hit the headlines around the globe for her hugely successful performance at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, and having subsequently performed again at the...
(big band version) - KylieFever2002
- Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour
- Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour
- KylieX2008KylieX2008KylieX2008 was the tenth concert tour by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue, in support of her tenth studio album, X . Originally announced as just a European tour, rumors of Minogue taking the tour to Australia, Asia, and America had surfaced in the international media...
(added as an encore for Australia, Asia and South America) - For You, for Me TourFor You, For Me TourThe For You, For Me Tour was the ninth concert tour by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. This is Minogue's first concert tour in North America. The concert has received very favorable reviews from music critics...
- Aphrodite World Tour
The song was also performed on:
- An Audience with KylieAn Audience with...An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by ITV Studios, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style.The show began as An...
2001 TV special (big band version with Adam GarciaAdam GarciaAdam Garcia is an Australian actor and tap dancer of partial Colombian descent .-Career:...
) - The X Factor (UK)The X Factor (UK)The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
(duet with Leon Jackson in 2007 Final)
Charts
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... ) |
4 |
Year-End Charts
| Year | Country | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australian Singles Chart | 55 |
| UK Singles Chart | 38 |
Certifications
| Country | Certifications (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|
| Australia Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
Gold |
| United Kingdom British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
Silver |
Cover versions
The song was covered by the Australian singer-songwriter Penny FlanaganPenny Flanagan
Penny Flanagan attended high school at Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College and is a Sydney based singer/songwriter and novelist. Her musical career began in 1989 when she cut her teeth on the workings of the Australian music industry as one half of the widely acclaimed folk-pop duo, Club Hoy...
in 1997, pop group Steps in 1999
1999 in music
-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
, peaking at #4 in the UK charts as a double A-side with "Say You'll Be Mine", and by Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten were an English girl group from Liverpool, first established in 1997. Created by Andy McCluskey, the final line-up, and most commercially successful, consisted of Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon, and Jenny Frost...
in early 2000.
In 2009, European pop group Village Boys made a version of the song.
In 2010, Miss Fitz, from Eurovision: Your Country Needs You, sang this song. Miss Fitz was also in X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
the year before but only made it to bootcamp stage.
X Factor performance
On 15 December 2007 Minogue performed the song with X FactorThe X Factor (UK series 4)
The fourth UK series of The X Factor was broadcast on ITV in autumn 2007. The first show aired on 18 August 2007 and the series was won by Leon Jackson on 15 December 2007, with Rhydian Roberts the runner-up and Dannii Minogue emerging as the winning mentor...
contestant Leon Jackson
Leon Jackson
Leon Jackson is a Scottish singer-songwriter. He won the fourth series of British talent show The X Factor in 2007. Following his win, Jackson was the main star of his on-web series entitled Leon's Life, which ran from 2007 until 2008...
in the show's final. Jackson, who was mentored by Minogue's sister Dannii
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
, went on to win the X Factor and its £1 million recording contract.