In the 4th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful ๐๐๐, we highlight โI Donโt Wanna Knowโ performed by Mario Winans featuring Enya and Diddy.
It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy ๐ฏ! On 1 Hit WONDERful ๐๐๐, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.ย To be fair, it is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, itโs that ONE hit that earned them recognition. So, in the 4th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful ๐๐๐, we dive into ๐ต โI Donโt Wanna Knowโ, the one hit wonder by ๐ Mario Winans.
โSomebody said they saw you / The person you were kissing wasnโt meโฆโ ๐ 2004 was an awesome year for music.ย The big names were dominating pop music including ๐ Alicia Keys, ๐ Green Day, ๐ Kanye West and ๐ Usher. However, there was also space for the sophomore album by ๐ Mario Winans, the secular member of the Winansโ, renowned for gospel.ย Marioโs first album, ๐ฟ Story of My Heart (1997) was unsuccessful.ย His second album, ๐ฟ Hurt No More, debuted strongly at no. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold. ย Why did Hurt No More perform so well? It’s simple: ๐ต โI Donโt Wanna Knowโ.
โI Donโt Wanna Knowโ was a huge hit. Like Hurt No More, โI Donโt Wanna Knowโ earned gold certification.ย Also, it peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, Winansโ sole entry on the pop charts. Winans produced the track himself. Fueling the fire of the production are two 1980s samples: ๐ต โBoadiceaโ by ๐ Enya (hence her writing credit and guest appearance), and ๐ต โYouโre a Customerโ by ๐ EPMD.ย The repurposing of an Enya song is crucial to the success of this single, truly contributing an enigmatic vibe as well as lushness. ย Given the fact that Winans is a modest vocal, the sample complements his chill, smooth, and soft instrument.
Of course, itโs not all the sound of the record. Mario Winans was made for this particular record.ย The melodies are lovely and tuneful, on the verses, chorus, and bridge.ย The chorus, of course, is where his bread is buttered โ the part everyone remembers!
โI donโt wanna know
If youโre playinโ me, keep it on the low
โCause my heart canโt take it anymore
And if youโre creepinโ, please donโt let it show
Oh, baby
I donโt wanna know.โ
Thematically, Winans finds out his lady is stepping out on him, and while itโs bothering him something fierce, he donโt wanna know! Wellโฆ by the bridge, however, heโs definitely NOT okay with it telling her to โDonโt come back to meโ and โStay away from me, baby.โ Diddy serves up the third and final verse, which fits the vibe yet doesnโt step on Marioโs toes (โMade you hot like the West Indies (That’s right) / Now it’s time you invest in me / โCause if not, then it’s best you leave / Holla, yeahโ).ย Ultimately, it is the sound and the chorus that make ๐ต โI Donโt Wanna Knowโ the 1 Hit WONDERful ๐๐๐ it is. There were other fine songs on Hurt No More but unfortunately, they failed to catch on.ย One hit is better than none, though.
๐ Mario Winans โข ๐ฟ Hurt No More โข ๐ท Bad Boy โข ๐ 2004
Mario Winans, I Donโt Wanna Know: 1 Hit WONDERful ๐๐๐ No. 4 (2023) [๐ท: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Julia Larsen, Kurchakto, RDNE Stock project, Victor Terrell from Pexels; Andrew Martin from Pixabay]
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13 Songs You Donโt WANNA Miss | Playlist ๐ง · August 28, 2023 at 12:01 am
[…] It performed so well thanks to ย the no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, gold certified single, ๐ต โI Donโt Wanna Knowโ. โI Donโt Wanna Knowโ marked Winansโ sole entry on the pop charts. He produced the track […]
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