HOWARD JONES - LIKE TO GET TO KNOW YOU WELL

Released: August 11, 1984

Charts:  UK: #4 

“Like to Get to Know You Well” is a single that reached #4 on the UK Singles Chart. While not initially part of an album, it was included on his remix album “The 12″ Album” and later as a bonus track on the CD version of “Dream into Action”.

The single was released during the 1984 Summer Olympics and carried the dedication: “Dedicated to the original spirit of the Olympic Games.” The extended “international remix” version featured Jones singing in English, German, and French, reflecting a global theme. Some versions of the single sleeve featured translations of the title in various languages. In Japan, the title’s translation caused a stir, as it was loosely interpreted as “I would like to force myself upon you.”

Two music videos were created for the song. The first, made for the UK release, features Jones walking through the streets of London with his bandmates Trevor Morais, Martin Jones, and backing vocal group Afrodiziak. Notable locations include the Sphinx statue and Cleopatra’s Needle on Victoria Embankment, Trafalgar Square, and the Sun Luck Chinese restaurant in Soho. The video highlights Jones interacting with members of the public. For the US release, a new animated video was produced to cater to that market. This animated version offers a creative visual interpretation of the song and is included on the Last World Dream video compilation. 

Howard Jones’ “Like to Get to Know You Well” explores themes of connection, authenticity, and unity. The lyrics convey a desire to move beyond superficial interactions to form deeper, meaningful relationships. The chorus emphasizes this intention, with lines like “Like to get to know you well, so we can be one together,” underscoring the importance of trust and understanding in achieving unity. The song suggests overcoming fear and past insecurities to reveal one’s true self, fostering genuine emotional connections.