Dana Winner: “If You Want to Know Me”

In 2005 “Beautiful life” was released. It was Dana’s first pop record, entirely sung in English. It became another international success.

In 2006, Dana decided to record a new album in Dutch, following her version of the Dutch classic “Het dorp” (The village). The album featured “Het dorp”, but also the hit single “Kijk om je heen” (Look Around You) and the summer hit “Als je lacht”. The album reached Gold status in a matter of weeks. So far Dana Winner has sold 1.8 million albums worldwide.

I’ll be there just waiting
Till you come around
We’ll take it kinda easy
And hope that it will never end

Written by Jean-Jacques Goldman

I was contacted initially by EMI about adapting “Si tu veux m’essayer” for her, and immediately thought it would be interesting to write for Dana and also to adapt a song written by Jean-Jacques Goldman. Practically unknown outside France, Goldman has raked up dozens of hits, and written for many other major performers. “Si tu veux m’essayer”, for example, was a hit for singer Florent Pagny on the album “Rester vrai”, which sold over 200,000 copies.

When I started working, “If You Want to Know Me” came together quite easily after one or two false starts. There’s a reason for this: it’s well written in terms of structure and meter. So the lyricist in me had an excellent basis to work from. As there was no reason to do otherwise, I kept quite close to the original French lyrics. This has not always been the case, as I totally re-wrote “Aspettando te” several years back to become “We Can Break Away” for the girl group Indiana with practically no use of the original lyrics.

I have mixed feelings about adapting lyrics into English. On the one hand, if you have the opportunity I feel you should improve a song’s impact – and that’s what most singers expect. On the other, you always want to respect the original songwriter. The only version of a song of mine that I’m aware of is a Spanish version of 2 Unlimited’s “Nothing Like the Rain”, which does stay pretty close to my original lyrics. On the other hand, I’ve had plenty of remixes where they completely remove everything except one line of the chorus! This used to irritate me, but I’ve come to accept it as part of the game.

By connecting Dana Winner, Jean-Jacques Goldman and Florent Pagny, “If You Want to Know Me” has found itself on my playlist (yes, I actually listen to my own stuff – the good tracks anyway). You’ll find more about her on Dana Winner website.

If You Want to Know Me lyrics

(listen on Spotify)

If you want to know me

See what we’d be like

Come and sit beside me

See if it feels right

If you want to know me

Try your luck and see

If you want to know me

Then take a chance on me

We can tell the people

We are just good friends

We’ll take it kinda easy

And hope that it will never end

If you want to know me

I promise not to call

I’ll give you time to need me

Won’t talk of love at all, no no

If you want to know me

I have a little time

Nothing there to stop me

From giving you what’s mine

If you want to know me

My heart ain’t doing much

Hands are tired of waiting

For other hands to touch

I’ll be there just waiting

Till you come around

We’ll take it kinda easy

And hope that it will never end

If you want to know me

I promise not to call

I’ll give you time to need me

Won’t talk of love at all, no no

I’ll be there just waiting

Till you come around

We’ll take it kinda easy

And hope that it will never end

If you want to know me

I promise not to call

I’ll give you time to need me

Won’t talk of love at all, at all

If you want to know me

Know your luck and see

If you want to know me

Just  take a chance on me

If you want to know me

I promise not to call

I’ll give you time to need me

Won’t talk of love at all, at all

If you want to know me

I promise not to call

I’ll give you time to need me

Won’t talk of love at all, at all

Original version (Si tu veux m’essayer): Jean-Jacques Goldman

English version: Michael Leahy

Arrangement: Eric Fernand Benzi

Publisher: J.R.G. Editions Musicales / Strictly Confidential

ISWC n°: T-902.958.026-5