"Tell Me" is a song by American R&B duo Groove Theory from their debut album, Groove Theory (1995). The track is a cover of Rhythm-N-Bass' 1993 song "Tell Me (If You Want Me Too)", which was also produced by Bryce Wilson. The song contains an interpolation of Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long" which itself interpolates Keni Burke's "Risin' to the Top".
Released as a single in June 1995, "Tell Me" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 10 in Australia, Canada and Israel, peaking at numbers six, eight and nine, respectively. The single also peaked at number 14 in New Zealand and number 31 in both Iceland and the United Kingdom. "Tell Me" is certified gold in Australia and the United States and silver in the United Kingdom.
Music video The accompanying music video for "Tell Me", directed by Daniela Federici, begins with Amel Larrieux and Bryce Wilson in a recording studio. Larrieux sings into the microphone, whilst Wilson produces behind the studio panel. Larrieux bops in front a city skyline in other scenes. In between scenes are transitional shots, which feature either Larrieux singing or Wilson nodding.
Legacy In 2003, Raymond & Co wrote "Playing Games", which was melodically inspired by "Tell Me". In 2017, Australian singer Starley wrote "Touch Me", which was also heavily inspired by "Tell Me".
+Accolades for "Tell Me" Publication Accolade Rank Pitchfork The 53 Best R&B Songs of the ’90s The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s Soul Bounce Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1995–1996)PeakpositionCanada (The Record) 8Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 61Europe (European Dance Radio) 13Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 31Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) Search "Tell Me" for Israeli chart history. 9US Billboard Hot 100 5US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 3US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) 2US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard) 21US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard) 2
Year-end charts Chart (1995)PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 65US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 38US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) 26US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard) 37 Chart (1996)PositionAustralia (ARIA) 55US Billboard Hot 100 58US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 66US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) 41US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard) 52US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard) 10
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesJune 23, 1995EpicAugust 1, 1995Rhythmic contemporary radioAustraliaAugust 14, 1995November 27, 1995Remix CD
AXSHN version On June 9, 2017, production group AXSHN released a version of the song featuring Mexican singer Sofia Reyes. Erica Russell from PopCrush described it as a "throbbing tropical dance banger". The reviewer also highlighted Reyes' voice, writing "Sofia's smooth, sultry vocals beckon to the dance floor like the reflection of the moon sparkling against the Caribbean Sea".
References