The Last to Know

"The Last to Know" is a song by Scottish singer Sheena Easton, included on her 1987 album No Sound But a Heart. It was written by Brock Walsh and Phil Galdston, and produced by Nick Martinelli. Easton's album was not commercially successful, and several songs from No Sound But a Heart were later recorded by other artists. "The Last to Know" was covered by Canadian singer Celine Dion for her 1990 English-language debut album, Unison.

Celine Dion version

"The Last to Know"
Single by Celine Dion
from the album Unison
B-side"Unison"
ReleasedMarch 1991 (1991-03)
StudioWest Side (London)
GenrePop
Length4:34
Label
Songwriters
  • Brock Walsh
  • Phil Galdston
ProducerChristopher Neil
Celine Dion singles chronology
"Where Does My Heart Beat Now"
(1990)		 "The Last to Know"
(1991)		 "Beauty and the Beast"
(1991)
Music video
"The Last to Know" on YouTube

Canadian singer Celine Dion recorded "The Last to Know" for her first English-language album, Unison (1990). The song was released by Columbia Records as the album's fourth single in Canada in March 1991, followed by releases in other regions later that year. Written by Brock Walsh and Phil Galdston, it was originally recorded by Sheena Easton in 1987. Dion's version was produced by Christopher Neil.

After its release, "The Last to Know" received positive reviews from music critics. It peaked at number 16 in Canada and number 7 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart. In the United States, it reached number 22 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. The accompanying music video was directed by Dominic Orlando. Dion performed the song during her Unison Tour.[1]

Background and release

"The Last to Know" was one of three covers recorded by Dion for Unison. Produced by British record producer Christopher Neil, it was issued as the fourth single in Canada in March 1991, the third single in the United States in June 1991, and the third single in other international markets in September 1991. In the United Kingdom, it was released as the second single, following "Where Does My Heart Beat Now". The single's B-side included the remix of "Unison" in the United States and the album version elsewhere.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that Dion "returns to familiar ballad territory" and described the track as a "lovely tune".[2] Jim Farber of Entertainment Weekly noted that songs such as "If Love Is Out the Question" and "The Last to Know" are "lush vehicles" elevated by Dion's distinctive voice.[3] Christopher Smith from TalkAboutPopMusic described it as a "slow and sensual ballad with an atmospheric, synth-based arrangement".[4]

Commercial performance

In Canada, "The Last to Know" entered the RPM Top Singles chart on 16 March 1991 and peaked at number 16 on 25 May 1991. It also reached number seven on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. In the United States, the song debuted on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart dated 13 July 1991 and peaked at number 22 on 31 August 1991.

Live performances

Dion performed "The Last to Know" on The Tonight Show in March 1991 and during her 1990–91 Unison Tour.

Formats and track listing

  • Australian cassette and CD single; Japanese 3-inch CD single
  1. "The Last to Know" – 4:34
  2. "Unison" – 4:12
  • Canadian cassette single; European 7-inch and cassette single
  1. "The Last to Know" (edit) – 4:18
  2. "Unison" – 4:12
  • European CD single
  1. "The Last to Know" (edit) – 4:18
  2. "Unison" – 4:12
  3. "If We Could Start Over" – 4:23
  • US 7-inch and cassette single
  1. "The Last to Know" (edit) – 4:18
  2. "Unison" (remix) – 4:04

Charts

Credits and personnel

Recording
  • Recorded at West Side Studios, London
Personnel
  • Celine Dion – lead vocals
  • Christopher Neil – producer, backing vocals
  • Brock Walsh – songwriter
  • Phil Galdston – songwriter
  • Steve Pigott – keyboards, bass, drums, percussion
  • Alan Carvell – backing vocals
  • Linda Taylor – backing vocals
  • Simon Hurrell – engineer

Release history

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Canada March 1991 Cassette Columbia [13]
United States June 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 Epic [14]
Japan 25 July 1991 3-inch CD SMEJ [15]
Australia 2 September 1991
  • Cassette
  • CD
 Columbia [16]
United Kingdom 4 November 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • cassette
  • CD
 Epic [17]
11 November 1991 7-inch vinyl with poster [18]

References

  1. ↑ Glatzer, Jenna (2005). Céline Dion: For Keeps. Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 0-7407-5559-5.
  2. ↑ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 6 July 1991. p. 63. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Unison (1991)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 25 June 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  4. ↑ Smith, Christopher (12 October 2019). "REVIEW: 'UNISON' – CELINE DION". TalkAboutPopMusic. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 14 November 2016". Imgur.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Image 1528". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Image 1517". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  8. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 25 May 1991. p. 63. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  10. ↑ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  11. ↑ "Celine Dion Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  12. ↑ "RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. 21 December 1991. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Hits to Watch: The Last to Know" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 53, no. 15. 16 March 1991. p. 1. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  14. ↑ "Reviews by Diane Rufer & Ron Fell" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1861. 21 June 1991. p. 32. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  15. ↑ "ラスト・トゥ・ノウ" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  16. ↑ "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 02/09/91: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 84. 1 September 1991. p. 19.
  17. ↑ "New Releases" (PDF). Music Week. 2 November 1991. p. 23. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  18. ↑ "New Releases" (PDF). Music Week. 9 November 1991. p. 21. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
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