Searching (China Black song)

"Searching" is a song by British pop-reggae duo China Black, written and produced by the duo's instrumentalist, Simon Fung. It was originally released in June 1992 on the UK independent label Big One but did not become a chart success. In 1994, it was picked up by the Wildcard label of Polydor Records and re-released in the United Kingdom on 4 July 1994, charting at number four on the UK Singles Chart. It was then released worldwide on 8 August 1994 and experienced success in Flanders, France, Germany, Iceland, and Ireland.

"Searching"
1994 re-release cover artwork
Single by China Black
from the album Born
B-side	"Seaching" remixes
Released	29 June 1992
Recorded	1991
Studio	Metropolis (London)[1]
Genre	Reggae[1]
Length	3:56
Label	Big One (1992 release) Wildcard, Polydor (1994 release)
Songwriter(s)	Simon Fung
Producer(s)	Simon Fung
China Black singles chronology
"Searching" (1992, 1994) "Stars" (1994)
Audio
"Searching" on YouTube

Background and release

"Searching" was originally recorded in 1991 and released the following year; however, it did not become a hit, initially selling 10,000 to 15,000 copies. Two years after its original release, Johnny Lords of Jago, at the time known for his work with British singer Gabrielle, decided to pick up the single. At Lords' suggestion, the song was re-recorded to tone down its reggae sound in order to garner radio airplay and re-released on 4 July 1994 to British audiences. A month later, on 8 August 1994, "Searching" was given an international release.[1]

The re-released debuted at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart on 10 July 1994 and rose to its peak of number four on 7 August, where it stayed for two weeks.[2] On 1 August, the song was awarded a Silver sales certification from the British Phonographic Industry for shipping over 200,000 copies,[2] and it ended the year as the UK's 25th-highest-selling single.[3] In Ireland, the song debuted on the chart on 4 August 1994 and peaked at number 11.[4] Following its international release, the song charted in Germany, Iceland, and the Flanders region of Belgium, peaking at numbers 82, 27, and 49, respectively.[5][6][7] In March 1995, the single charted in France, reaching a peak of number 17 on 15 April and spending a total of 11 weeks on the French chart.[8]

Critical reception

Music & Media magazine said of the song, "Through this single you get an idea what it would be like if Michael Jackson tried his luck on swingbeat. The current trend for slower beats would make the accompanying dance a lot easier".[9] James Hamilton from Record Mirror described the 1992 version as "a sweet reggae styled jogger".[10]

Track listings

UK 12-inch single (1992)[11] A1. "Searching" (original soul) A2. "Searching" (reggae) A3. "Searching" (dub) B1. "Searching" (club soul) B2. "Searching" (soft soul) UK 7-inch single (1994)[8] "Searching" – 3:56 "Searching" (Original Longsy D Mix) – 4:08

European maxi-single[12] "Searching" (Mykaell S. Riley Mix) – 3:56 "Searching" (Original Longsy D Mix) – 4:08 "Searching" (Ronin Mix) – 4:30 "Searching" (Full Force Remix) – 3:59 Dutch CD single[13] "Searching" (Mykaell S. Riley Mix) – 3:56 "Searching" (Original Longsy D Mix) – 4:08

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1992) Peak position UK Dance Singles (Music Week)[14] 8 Chart (1994–1995) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 49 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[15] 16 France (SNEP)[8] 17 Germany (Official German Charts)[5] 82 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[6] 27 Ireland (IRMA)[4] 11 Scotland (OCC)[16] 8 UK Singles (OCC)[2] 4 UK R&B (OCC)[17] 15

Year-end charts Chart (1994) Position UK Singles (OCC)[3] 25 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Silver 200,000^^ ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Label
United Kingdom (original)	29 June 1992[10]	Big One
United Kingdom (re-release)	4 July 1994[8]	Wild Card
International	8 August 1994[1]	Wild Card, Polydor

References

1. Tilli, Robbert (27 August 1994). "China Black Scores on the Belated Rebound" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 35. p. 11. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
2. "China Black: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
3. "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. 14 January 1995. p. 9.
4. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Searching". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
5. "Offiziellecharts.de – China Black – Searching". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
6. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (22.9.–28.9. '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 22 September 1994. p. 16. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
7. "Ultratop.be – China Black – Searching" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
8. "Lescharts.com – China Black – Searching" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
9. "New Releases – Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 32. 6 August 2020. p. 5. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
10. Hamilton, James (27 June 1992). "DJ Directory: Out on Monday" (PDF). Music Week, Record Mirror. p. 5. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
11. Searching (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). China Black. Big One Records. 1992. VV BIG 29.CS1 maint: others (link)
12. Searching (European maxi-single liner notes). China Black. Wildcard Records. 1994. 853651-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
13. Searching (Dutch CD single liner notes). China Black. Wildcard Records. 1994. 853130-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
14. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 4 July 1992. p. 22. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
15. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 34. 20 August 1994. p. 23. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
16. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
17. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
18. "British single certifications – China Black – Searching". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 September 2020.