Searching (China Black song)

"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.

The re-release 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. On 1 August, the song was awarded a silver sales certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipping over 200,000 copies, and it ended the year as the UK's 25th-highest-selling single. In Ireland, the song debuted on the Irish Singles Chart on 4 August 1994 and peaked at number 11. Following its international release, the song charted in Germany, Iceland, and the Flanders region of Belgium, peaking at numbers 82, 27, and 49, respectively. In March 1995, the single charted in France, peaking at number 17 on 15 April and spending 11 weeks on the French Singles Chart.

In 1994, Music & Media magazine said, "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".{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-08-06.pdf|title=New Releases – Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=11|issue=32|page=5|date=6 August 2020|access-date=4 September 2020}} Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it four out of five, calling it a "catchy soulful reggae tune", that is now re-released with the "obligatory remixes." He added, "These do not do the song any favours, but the original sounds as fine as ever", and "it could now be the summer hit that it deserved to be all along."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-06-18.pdf|title=Market Preview: Dance|last=Beevers|first=Andy|magazine=Music Week|page=16|date=18 June 1994|access-date=17 April 2021}} Ralph Tee from the magazine's RM Dance Update agreed, "For me though, it's the original version which holds all the song's charm, and fortunately it's included here for all who missed out the first time."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-06-04.pdf|title=Hot Vinyl|last=Tee|first=Ralph|magazine=Music Week|via=Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert)|page= 6|date=4 June 1994|access-date=17 April 2021}} Another RM editor, James Hamilton described the 1992 version as "a sweet reggae styled jogger".{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-06-27.pdf|title=DJ Directory: Out on Monday|last=Hamilton|first=James|magazine=Music Week|via=Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert)|page=5|date=27 June 1992|access-date=2 October 2020}} In 1994, he deemed it a "tremulously crooning Errol Reid's superb soulful sweet slinky reggae swayer".{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-06-25.pdf|title=Dj directory|last=Hamilton|first=James|magazine=Music Week|via=Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert)|page=5|date=25 June 1994|access-date=17 April 2021}} Pete Stanton from Smash Hits gave "Searching" four out of five, writing, "The nicest song off the pile, this one. [...] This is a subtle reggae track that floats about your room with {{as written|i|t's [sic]}} soft vocals and swaying rhythms. Ooh yes, lovely."{{cite magazine|first=Pete|last=Stanton|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/53976667347/in/album-72177720320155944/|title=New Singles|work=Smash Hits|date=6 July 1994|page=45|access-date=7 October 2024}}

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• UK 12-inch single (1992){{cite AV media notes|title=Searching|others=China Black|year=1992|type=UK 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Big One Records|id=VV BIG 29}}

:A1. "Searching" (original soul)

:A2. "Searching" (reggae)

:A3. "Searching" (dub)

:B1. "Searching" (club soul)

:B2. "Searching" (soft soul)

• UK 7-inch single (1994)

1. "Searching" – 3:56
2. "Searching" (Original Longsy D Mix) – 4:08

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• European maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Searching|others=China Black|year=1994|type=European maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Wildcard Records|id=853651-2}}

1. "Searching" (Mykaell S. Riley Mix) – 3:56
2. "Searching" (Original Longsy D Mix) – 4:08
3. "Searching" (Ronin Mix) – 4:30
4. "Searching" (Full Force Remix) – 3:59

• Dutch CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Searching|others=China Black|year=1994|type=Dutch CD single liner notes|publisher=Wildcard Records|id=853130-2}}

1. "Searching" (Mykaell S. Riley Mix) – 3:56
2. "Searching" (Original Longsy D Mix) – 4:08

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=China Black|title=Searching|award=Silver|relyear=1994|certyear=1994|id=5733-936-1|access-date=3 September 2020|refname="ukcert"}}

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Category:1991 songs

Category:1992 debut singles

Category:1994 singles

Category:British reggae songs

Category:Polydor Records singles