How Was I to Know (John Michael Montgomery song)

"How Was I to Know" is a song written by Will Rambeaux and Blair Daly, and recorded by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in June 1997 as the fourth and final single from his album What I Do the Best. It peaked at number 2 in the United States, and number 8 in Canada. Reba McEntire recorded an unrelated song with the same title earlier in the year, which went to number-one.

"How Was I to Know"
Single by John Michael Montgomery
from the album What I Do the Best
Released	June 9, 1997
Recorded	1996
Genre	Country
Length	4:16
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Will Rambeaux, Blair Daly
Producer(s)	Csaba Petocz
John Michael Montgomery singles chronology
"I Miss You a Little" (1997) "How Was I to Know" (1997) "Angel in My Eyes" (1997)

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably calling it a "less traditional, rather summery feel than many of his previous outings." He goes on to say that Montgomery's vocals have a "more intimate and conversational quality that's extremely effective on this lilting number."[1]

Music video

Like his previous video "I Miss You a Little", this music video was directed by Lou Chanatry.

Chart positions

Chart (1997)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[2]	8
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3]	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)	Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[4]	81
US Country Songs (Billboard)[5]	32

References

1. Billboard, June 14, 1997
2. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 3346." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. October 6, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
3. "John Michael Montgomery Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
4. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1997". RPM. December 15, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
5. "Best of 1997: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.