An oddity in the Michael Knott catalog, “Want Me” is Michael’s one foray into a type of techno/disco music called Hi-NRG. This single was apparently such a big hit internationally in the club scene that a major label offered Michael a contract. Michael didn’t want to become known as a techno-pop star, so he declined the contract and apparently even burned every copy of the single that he could find.The single also earned a mention in the December 5, 1987 issue of Billboard Magazine: “Also recommended on Vision is Michael Moret’s ‘Want Me'” (page 27 – see also the listing for the single on page 67).
This single has never been released on CD, but one mix of Want Me did make it on to a German techno compilation called “Freestyle Meets 2 Step” in 2001.
| Label: | Vision Records |
| Format: | Vinyl |
| Released: | 1987 |
| Genre: | Hi-NRG |
| Producer: | Bob Parr |
| Michael Moret: | Vocals |
| Bob Parr: | Music |
| 01) | Want Me (club version) | 6:40 | Moret, Parr |
| 02) | Want Me (dub version) | 8:26 | Moret, Parr |
| 03) | Want Me (radio version) | 4:20 | Moret, Parr |
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So THAT’S why this single was going for around $100 in Houston shops fifteen years ago! I’ve got an mp3 of the club version for my radio show; would like to have the original vinyl but I’ve got my limits. I had no idea the man had such a varying resume…where should I venture next? http://myspace.com/soundawakeradio | kingofgrief@yahoo.com
From David Jenison (Mike’s former Manager): “For those of you who don’t know about the Michael Moret single, it is Michael Knott’s darkest secret. Right around the time he was doing Shaded Pain, he did a total Dead or Alive style dance pop single called “Want Me.”I’ve heard it before, though copies of it are basically non-existant. I hear that Knott used to have copies of it, but he destroyed them all out of fear of them getting out. The single was actually really good, and when it was first sent out to clubs and radio, it started getting spins. It even got a write up in Billboard. It was then that horror over came Knott. He would rather not make it in music that come out looking like a new wave clown singing “Want Me.” Ironically,the label had not rushed to have Knott sign off on everything. Once the song started doing well, Knott refused to sign so the single just went away. Knott released Shaded Pain right afterwards.”
Knowing how some names get changed around…I checked on Amazon.com and found the following: “Free-Step 2-Style: The Hitmix” an import CD released in 2000. No “Michael Moret–Want Me” on it but could be on there as another song title under another artist’s name?
I do own the Free Style CD – it was really hard to find, but it’s not the same as the one you found on Amazon (as far as I can tell, “Freestyle Meets 2 Step” is not on Amazon at all). It does have Michael Moret on it. I added a link to the album page above – see that link for more details. Hope that helps.
I still have the vinyl copies of this record that I bought 23 years ago. It was a terrific song then – and it’s a terrific song now.It’s a bit disappointing to learn how little this great club record means to Michael.
I have this vinyl and converted it over to mp3 just because it Michael Knott. While it may be Mike’s ‘darkest secret’, I find it as another side of this musical genius that continues to impress me.
I had this record, sold it on Ebay, paid my tuition!
This record was an attempt by Michael to do other music outside the Christian market. The song ‘Want Me’ was co-written by Parr. Parr had approached Knott with a track that he had been working on for some time, and Knott added his vocal flourishes, adding lyrical ad libs on an idea that Parr had suggested-‘Want Me’. The original intent of the lyric was to try to get Knott’s, then girlfriend, to pay attention to him. It was completely innocent in intention. The song was recorded at a studio in Dallas, owned by Parr’s, then, manager. Parr played the finished track to Michael Holm, famous German Producer and songwriter, who then inked a short contract with Knott and Parr. The contract was later assigned to Vision Records, owned by producers Ron and Howie Albert-engineering legends with credits including Bobby Caldwell and Aretha Franklin, and the famous R