All I Know
"All I Know" is a pop rock ballad written by American songwriter Jimmy Webb and first recorded by Art Garfunkel for his debut solo album, Angel Clare, released in September 1973 by Columbia Records.[1][2] The song's lyrics depict the emotional bruises and unwavering devotion in a romantic relationship, with lines like "I bruise you, you bruise me / We both bruise too easily" capturing themes of vulnerability and dependence.[3] Featuring orchestral arrangements and Garfunkel's signature high tenor vocals, it marked his successful transition from the folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel to a solo career following their 1970 breakup.[4] The track originated when Webb, inspired by a Rolling Stone article about Simon & Garfunkel's dissolution, composed it as a potential hit for Garfunkel, incorporating hymn-like musical elements from his upbringing as the son of a Baptist preacher.[1] Produced by Roy Halee—Simon & Garfunkel's longtime collaborator—and Garfunkel himself, Angel Clare was recorded at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and other studios, blending soft rock with orchestral pop influences; the album title derives from a character in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Released as the album's lead single on August 22, 1973, "All I Know" achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and holding the top spot on the Adult Contemporary chart for four weeks.[5][1] The album itself reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000 copies in the United States, making it Garfunkel's highest-charting solo release and "All I Know" one of his top-10 hits on the Hot 100.[6][7] Beyond its initial impact, "All I Know" has been covered by artists including Linda Ronstadt and performed by Cher, and remains a staple in Garfunkel's live performances, underscoring Webb's songwriting prowess—known for hits like "Up, Up and Away" and "Wichita Lineman."[8][9] The song's enduring appeal lies in its poignant simplicity and Garfunkel's emotive delivery, contributing to its recognition as a classic of 1970s adult contemporary music.[10]Background and composition
Songwriting
"All I Know" was written by Jimmy Webb, inspired by his unrequited affection for Rosemarie Frankland, the 1961 Miss World, whom he met in London. After she rejected his advances and called the song "silly," Webb read a Rolling Stone article about the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel while flying back to the US, deciding to offer it to Art Garfunkel as a potential solo hit.[1] The melody incorporated hymn-like elements from Webb's childhood, as his father was a Baptist preacher. Composed in 1973 during a transitional phase in his career following the peak of his collaborations with Glen Campbell on hits like "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman," Webb sought new artistic outlets, crafting songs that blended orchestral ambition with radio-friendly brevity.[11] The writing process emphasized concision, adhering to the three-minute single format prevalent in Top 40 pop, which Webb likened to composing a sonnet—compact yet emotionally resonant.[12] Intended as a ballad suited to orchestral pop arrangements, it captured Webb's evolving style of introspective narratives without relying on elaborate storytelling.[12] The song's lyrics delve into themes of love, loss, and introspection, depicting a relationship fraught with mutual fragility and inevitable pain.[13] Central to this is the recurring motif of emotional vulnerability, exemplified in the lines "I bruise you, you bruise me / We both bruise too easily," which poetically underscore the couple's shared tenderness and the difficulty of sustaining connection amid hurt.[13] The structure builds through verses of quiet confession to a soaring chorus affirming devotion—"I love you and that's all I know"—evoking a sense of resigned acceptance in the face of relational uncertainty.[14] This poetic economy reflects Webb's post-Campbell approach, prioritizing universal emotional truths over narrative specifics.[12] Garfunkel selected the song for his solo debut album, Angel Clare, recognizing its potential as a poignant opener to his post-Simon & Garfunkel era.[11]Recording and production
The recording of Art Garfunkel's version of "All I Know" took place in 1973 at various studios in Los Angeles, with production overseen by Roy Halee and Garfunkel himself.[15] Instrumental backing was contributed by members of the Wrecking Crew, a renowned group of Los Angeles session musicians, including drummer Hal Blaine, bassist Joe Osborn, and keyboardist Larry Knechtel.[7] The arrangement was handled by songwriter Jimmy Webb, who incorporated orchestral elements like strings and horns to achieve a lush, expansive sound that complemented the song's introspective tone.[15] Garfunkel's vocal performance emphasized emotional depth and vulnerability, drawing from the lyrics' themes of relational fragility as penned by Webb; he utilized overdubs to layer harmonies and refine the delivery for a soaring, ethereal quality.[16]Release
Single details
"All I Know" was released as a 7-inch vinyl single by Columbia Records on August 22, 1973.[17] The B-side featured "Mary Was an Only Child," written by Albert Hammond, Mike Hazlewood, and Jorge Milchberg.[18] Columbia Records promoted the single through radio-focused strategies, distributing mono promotional copies to stations to highlight Garfunkel's vocal performance and the orchestral arrangement, positioning it as the lead track from his debut solo album Angel Clare.[19]Album context
Angel Clare, Art Garfunkel's debut solo studio album, was released on September 11, 1973, by Columbia Records. The album marked a pivotal moment in Garfunkel's career following the 1970 breakup of Simon & Garfunkel, allowing him to explore his vocal style in a more mature, introspective format. "All I Know" appears as the sixth track in the ten-song lineup, serving as both a key track and the lead single from the release. With a runtime of 3:43, it exemplifies the album's blend of original material and covers, emphasizing Garfunkel's angelic tenor amid sophisticated arrangements.[20] The inclusion of "All I Know" underscored Garfunkel's transition to solo artistry, distinct from the folk-rock duo dynamic with Paul Simon, by showcasing his affinity for lush, emotionally resonant compositions. Written by Jimmy Webb, the song joined another Webb-penned track, "Another Lullaby," as the album's closer, highlighting a deliberate emphasis on the songwriter's poetic lyricism and melodic depth. This pairing of Webb songs helped establish Garfunkel's post-duo identity, focusing on themes of longing and self-reflection that aligned with his evolving artistic voice.[21][20] Produced by Garfunkel alongside longtime Simon & Garfunkel collaborator Roy Halee, Angel Clare incorporated orchestral elements arranged by figures such as Jimmy Haskell and Peter Matz, creating a grand, enveloping soundscape that amplified the song's orchestral style. These arrangements, featuring strings and woodwinds, lent a cinematic quality to the proceedings, drawing from Halee's expertise in capturing intimate vocals within expansive instrumentation. The single's B-side, "Mary Was an Only Child," follows as the album's seventh track, reinforcing their thematic companionship within the record's cohesive flow.[20][2] Sequenced midway through the album, after a medley of traditional and experimental pieces, "All I Know" helps transition into the latter half's more contemplative selections, setting a reflective tone that permeates the entire project. This positioning allows the track to bridge the album's folk influences with its more polished, adult-oriented sensibilities, contributing to an overall atmosphere of quiet introspection and emotional depth.[20]Commercial performance
Weekly charts
"All I Know" achieved moderate success on major weekly music charts in 1973, reflecting Art Garfunkel's transition to a solo career following Simon & Garfunkel. The single performed strongly on adult-oriented formats, reaching the top spot on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart, while it entered the pop singles charts in several countries with varying degrees of commercial impact. Its chart trajectories showed steady climbs in North America, driven by radio airplay and sales from the album Angel Clare. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 15, 1973, at position 79, gradually ascending over the following weeks to reach its peak of number 9 on the chart dated November 10, 1973; it remained on the chart for 14 weeks total. On the contemporaneous Cash Box Top 100 Singles chart, it peaked at number 6. In the adult contemporary market, "All I Know" topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for four consecutive weeks beginning October 6, 1973, marking Garfunkel's first number-one hit in that format.[5][22][1] Internationally, the single saw more modest placements. In Canada, it peaked at number 7 on the RPM Top Singles chart and reached number 1 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.[23] It entered the Australian Kent Music Report at number 36 as its highest position.[24] In New Zealand, the track achieved a peak of number 17 on the national singles chart.[25] In the United Kingdom, it reached number 51 on the UK Singles Chart.[26]| Chart (1973) | Peak Position | Peak Date | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 9 | November 10 | 14 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | 6 | November 1973 | N/A |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | 1 (4 weeks) | October 6 | N/A |
| Canada RPM Top Singles | 7 | N/A | N/A |
| Canada RPM Adult Contemporary | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 36 | N/A | N/A |
| New Zealand Singles (RIANZ) | 17 | N/A | N/A |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 51 | N/A | N/A |