Better the Devil You Know

Infobox Single
Name = Better the Devil You Know


Artist = Kylie Minogue
from Album = Rhythm of Love
Released = April 1990
Format = CD single: Worldwide
Vinyl single: United Kingdom
Cassette single: Australia & U.S.
Recorded = London, England
Genre = Pop-dance
Length = 3:54
Label = PWL/Mushroom
Writer = Stock, Aitken & Waterman
Producer = Stock, Aitken & Waterman
Certification = Silver (UK)
Gold (ARIA)
Last single = "Tears on My Pillow"
(1990)
This single = "Better the Devil You Know"
(1990)
Next single = "Step Back in Time"
(1990)Infobox Single
Name = Say You'll Be Mine/Better the Devil You Know


Caption =
Artist = Steps
from Album = Steptacular
A-side = "Say You'll Be Mine"
B-side =
Released = December 13, 1999 (UK)
January 7, 2000 (Netherlands)
February 7, 2000 (Australia & Scandinavia)
March 8, 2000 (Japan)
2000 (Germany)
Format = Single
Recorded =
Genre = Pop
Length = 4:35
Label = Jive Records
Writer = Say You'll Be Mine:
Frampton
Waterman Better Than the Devil You Know:
Stock, Aitken, and Waterman
Producer = Frampton Pete Waterman
Certification = Silver (UK)
Last single = "After the Love Has Gone"
(1999)
This single = "Say You'll Be Mine / Better the Devil You Know"
(1999)
Next single = "Deeper Shade of Blue"
(2000)
Misc = "Better the Devil You Know" is a dance-pop song written by Stock, Aitken & Waterman for Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue's third album, "Rhythm of Love".

Background

"Better the Devil You Know" was released as the album's first single 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.

Continued popularity

The song is played at 12.30 a.m. every Saturday night at the "G.A.Y" club in London's Astoria. The song has become an all-time favourite amongst many people and is often considered a 1990s classic. In 1998, Australian record company Mushroom Records re-issued the song as part of their 25th Anniversary Celebrations. The re-issue reached #59 on the Australian ARIA Charts in 1998. [cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/fameacademy/songs/17.shtml|title=Comic Relief does Fame Academy|publisher=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=2008-06-08]

Track listings

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" Remix) - 3:21

7" single
# "Better the Devil You Know" - 3:52
# "I'm Over Dreaming (Over You)" (7" Remix) - 3:21

12" single
# "Better the Devil You Know" (Mad March Hare Mix) - 7:09
# "I'm Over Dreaming (Over You)" (Extended Remix) - 4:54

teps 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

Chart performance

Kylie version

teps version

Music video

The video for "Better the Devil You Know" 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. [cite book|last=Baker|first=William|coauthors=Minogue, Kylie|title=La, La, La|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.|date=2002|pages=48-49|isbn=0-340-73439-6]

Cover versions

The song was covered by the Australian singer-songwriter Penny Flanagan 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.

"X Factor" performance

On 15 December 2007 Minogue performed the song with "X Factor" 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.

ample

References