HE KNOWS YOU KNOW

This is a song about drugs and it's called HE KNOWS YOU KNOOOOWWW ....

That's how Fish introduced the song before it's played live like the one on La Gazza Ladra 'The Thieving Magpie' - the double disc live album released after his departure from Marillion. But of course the version presented right here is the shorter version as this was going to be broadcasted over the radio for commercial purpose. As I listened to this version from THE SINGLES '82 - 88' so I got it after I knew the album version which is really excellent. Compared to the album version, this He Knows You Know version is not that quite punchy and energetic. If I were listening to this version prior to the album release, I would love to see the song ini the full album version.

Charting The Single - I really like the title even though the song is not quite attractive compared to He Knows You Know. However this song is really good to get audience participation is it's performed live.

Overall, this set is really excellent musically as well as production - especially packaging of the package. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

"He Knows You Know" is a single release by UK progressive rock act Marillion. The single was released through EMI Records in January 1983. It was released two months in advance of the release of the band´s debut full-length studio album "Script for a Jester's Tear" (March 1983), where the A-side appears as track number 2 (although this single version is a shorter edit). The B-side track is "Carting the Single", which is a non-album track. The maxi-single 12" version of "He Knows You Know", features the regular studio version of the title track, a shorter single edit version (the same as on the 7" version of the single), and "Carting the Single".

As much as I enjoy "He Knows You Know" and think of it as a great progressive rock track, featuring lyrics about drug abuse/use, I don´t care much for edits and as "Carting the Single" is one of the least remarkable tracks of the early part of Marillion´s discography, this single is to my ears a bit redundant. Especially considering that "Carting the Single" (which should be the attraction, since it´s a non album track) has been readily available with its inclusion on the "B'Sides Themselves" compilation album since 1988. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.