I Knew You When (Billy Joe Royal song)

"I Knew You When" is a song written and composed by Joe South. It became a popular hit in 1965 when recorded by American pop and country singer Billy Joe Royal. There have also been several other hit cover versions of this song, including by Donny Osmond and Linda Ronstadt.

Billy Joe Royal version

"I Knew You When" was first recorded by Billy Joe Royal for his 1965 studio album, Down in the Boondocks. The song reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of November 6, 1965. The song went to No. 1 on the Canadian music chart in November 1965.

Donny Osmond version

Donny Osmond released a version in 1971 as the B-side of "Hey Girl" that went to No. 9 on the Hot 100 as a double-sided hit.

Linda Ronstadt version

Linda Ronstadt recorded a cover version for her Gold-plus 1982 album, Get Closer. Her single was produced by Peter Asher and released on Asylum Records. Aided by a popular music video, it reached #30 on the Cash Box Top 100 chart and #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 as the album's second single.

Additionally, it reached No. 84 on the country chart, and No. 90 in the United Kingdom. The song was also a Top 40 Hit in Australia, giving Ronstadt an underappreciated hit, reaching #36 on the Kent Music Report chart in early 1983. It did best on the adult contemporary charts, reaching #29 (U.S.) and #17 (Canada).

Other versions

Wade Flemons released a version of the song as a single in 1964 on Vee-Jay Records. Flemons would become a founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire in 1971.
Joe South would later record his version of the song for his 1969 album, Games People Play.

References

"I Knew You When" by Billy Joe Royal (Hot 100 chart history) – Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2017
Top Singles - Volume 4, No. 11, November 08 1965 Retrieved September 22, 2012.
Donny Osmond Charting Singles Retrieved September 21, 2012
Linda Ronstadt, Get Closer Retrieved September 21, 2012.
Linda Ronstadt, "I Knew You When" Chart Positions Retrieved September 13, 2013
"Every AMR Top 100 Single in 1983".
"Wade Flemons, "I Knew You When" Single Release". Discogs. 1964. Retrieved March 14, 2017.

v t e Billy Joe Royal
Studio albums	Down in the Boondocks Cherry Hill Park Looking Ahead The Royal Treatment Tell It Like It Is Out of the Shadows
Other albums	Greatest Hits
Singles	"Down in the Boondocks" "I Knew You When" "I've Got to Be Somebody" "Yo-Yo" "Hush" "Cherry Hill Park" "Every Night" "Under the Boardwalk" "Burned Like a Rocket" "I Miss You Already" "Old Bridges Burn Slow" "I'll Pin a Note on Your Pillow" "Out of Sight and on My Mind" "It Keeps Right On Hurtin'" "Tell It Like It Is" "Love Has No Right" "Till I Can't Take It Anymore" "Searchin' for Some Kind of Clue"
B-Sides	"Oh, What a Night"
Cover Songs	"Amanda" "Bring It On Home to Me" "Crying" "Funny How Time Slips Away" "I'm Sorry" "Kiss and Say Goodbye" "Making Believe" "Save the Last Dance for Me" "Solitary Man" "Spanish Harlem" "Stand by Me" "To Love Somebody"
Related articles	Discography

v t e Donny Osmond
Solo discography Donny and Marie Osmond discography Discography with the Osmond Brothers
Solo albums	The Donny Osmond Album To You with Love, Donny Portrait of Donny Too Young Alone Together A Time for Us Donny Disco Train Donald Clark Osmond Donny Osmond Eyes Don't Lie The Soundtrack of My Life
Compilation albums	My Best to You
Songs	"Sweet and Innocent" "Go Away Little Girl" "Hey Girl" "Puppy Love" "Too Young" "Why" "The Twelfth of Never" "Young Love" "A Million to One" "When I Fall in Love" "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" "C'mon Marianne" "(You've Got Me) Dangling on a String" "Soldier of Love" "Sacred Emotion" "My Love Is a Fire" "I'll Make a Man Out of You" "Breeze On By"
Related articles	Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Osmonds Marie Osmond

v t e Linda Ronstadt
Albums Singles Performances
Stone Poneys albums	The Stone Poneys featuring Linda Ronstadt Evergreen, Volume 2 Linda Ronstadt, Stone Poneys and Friends, Vol. III
Studio albums	Hand Sown ... Home Grown Silk Purse Linda Ronstadt Don't Cry Now Heart Like a Wheel Prisoner in Disguise Hasten Down the Wind Simple Dreams Living in the USA Mad Love Get Closer What's New Lush Life For Sentimental Reasons Canciones de Mi Padre Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind Mas Canciones Frenesí Winter Light Feels Like Home Dedicated to the One I Love We Ran A Merry Little Christmas Hummin' to Myself
Collaborations	Trio Santiago Trio II Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions Adieu False Heart The Complete Trio Collection
Compilations	Different Drum Greatest Hits Greatest Hits, Volume 2 The Very Best of Linda Ronstadt Mi Jardin Azul: Las Canciones Favoritas Duets
Live Albums	Live in Hollywood
Hit singles	"Different Drum" "Long, Long Time" "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" "You're No Good"/"I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)" "When Will I Be Loved"/"It Doesn't Matter Anymore" "Heat Wave"/"Love Is a Rose" "The Tracks of My Tears" "That'll Be the Day" "Someone to Lay Down Beside Me" "Lose Again" "Crazy" "Blue Bayou" "It's So Easy" "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" "Tumbling Dice" "Back in the U.S.A." "Ooo Baby Baby" "Just One Look" "Love Me Tender" "Alison" "How Do I Make You" "Hurt So Bad" "I Can't Let Go" "I Knew You When" "What's New?" "Somewhere Out There" "Don't Know Much" "All My Life" "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" "Close Your Eyes" "Walk On"
Other songs	"Carmelita" "Desperado" "Mr. Sandman"
Related topics	"Mr. Plow" FM (film) The Pirates of Penzance (1983 film) An American Tail (soundtrack)
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