Watching You, Watching Me is the eighth and final studio album from American soul singer Bill Withers, released on Columbia Records in 1985. This was Withers' first release in six years and would prove to be his final album before he retired from popular music.
Watching You, Watching Me | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1985 | |||
Recorded | 1981, 1982,1985 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Rhythm and blues | |||
Length | 45:11 | |||
Label | Columbia/CBS | |||
Producer |
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Bill Withers chronology | ||||
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Singles from Watching You, Watching Me | ||||
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Withers spent several years writing and recording music that Columbia Records' parent company CBS Records rejected, leading to a span of seven years between this and his previous studio album, 'Bout Love.[1] The working relationship deteriorated to the point where Withers said that he wanted to explode a bomb at their headquarters but the artist and label collaborated on promoting the album;[2] this included a tour with Jennifer Holliday.[3]
Recording sessions and locations spanned at least four years:[4]
The album was mixed at The Complex and Conway Studios, Los Angeles, California and mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood, California.[4]
During its eight-week run on the Billboard 200, the album peaked at 143 on June 28, 1985;[5] the same week, it stalled at 42 in a 25-week run on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[6] Writing for Billboard, Nelson George called the release one of the best rhythm and blues albums of 1985, writing that it was "full of little pleasures".[7] Years later, the editorial staff of AllMusic Guide awarded it three out of five stars but has not published a staff review;[8] a discussion of the box set Original Album Classics says this has "limited appeal" and calls the two singles from the album inessential.[9] In his 2020 obituary of Withers, Alexis Petridis of The Guardian wrote that the album contained fantastic songs but was hampered by 1980s production techniques.[1] Stereogum published a list of Withers' best overlooked songs upon his death and included “We Could Be Sweet Lovers”, noting that it has staying power in his catalogue, even if the album is dated.[10]
Chart (1985) | Peak position |
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United Kingdom | 60[11] |
US Billboard 200 | 143[5] |
US Billboard Top R&B Albums | 42[5] |
Single | Year | Chart | Position |
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"Oh Yeah!" | 1985 | US Billboard Hot Black Singles | 22[12] |
"Oh Yeah!" | 1985 | US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 40[13] |
"Oh Yeah!" | 1985 | UK Singles | 60[14] |
"Something That Turns You On" | 1985 | US Billboard Hot Black Singles | 46[15] |