The Boy Who Knew Too Much (album)

Mika worked with producer Greg Wells, who also produced his debut album Life in Cartoon Motion. The album was written in Olympic Studios, London, which began in June 2008. In September 2008 he moved to Rocket Carousel Studios, Los Angeles, where the album was recorded.Allen, Matt (1 June 2009). "[http://www.authoritydesign.com/mika/press/mika_press_q-mag_june09.htm Exclusive: Mika's Second Coming] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518143406/http://www.authoritydesign.com/mika/press/mika_press_q-mag_june09.htm |date=18 May 2009 }}", Q Magazine. Retrieved 2009-07-12. Mika has described the album's themes as dealing with his teenage years, and "in a sense is kind of part two" of his first album.Mazumdar, Tulip (9 June 2009). "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_8091000/8091260.stm Mika pens 'teenage' second album]", BBC Radio 1. Retrieved on 2009-07-08. In contrast to his first album, which "contained innocent fairytales", Mika pitches the new album's songs as "gothic Tim Burton-esque fantasies."{{cite news|last=Youngs |first=Ian |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8261817.stm |title=Entertainment | Mika conquers his growing pains |publisher=BBC News |date=21 September 2009 |access-date=2009-09-27}}

The album was originally titled We Are Golden after the first single from the album, "We Are Golden". On 20 July 2009 in an on-air interview with DJ Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1, Mika revealed he was considering renaming the album, because he wanted "something a little more ridiculous."{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_8159000/8159436.stm |title=BBC — Newsbeat — Music — Mika promises fans 'gig at home' |publisher=BBC News |date=20 July 2009 |access-date=2009-09-27}} On 6 August 2009 it was confirmed that the album's title would change to The Boy Who Knew Too Much.{{cite web |url=http://www.mikasounds.com/news/view/613/The_Boy_Who_Knew_Too_Much |title=MikaSounds / Latest News / The Boy Who Knew Too Much |website=Mikasounds.com |access-date=2009-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810234034/http://www.mikasounds.com/news/view/613/The_Boy_Who_Knew_Too_Much |archive-date=10 August 2009}} As with Mika's debut album Life in Cartoon Motion, the album artwork has been designed by Mika's sister (who works under the nom de plume DaWack), the Australian illustrator Sophie Blackall, Airside collaborator Richard Hogg and Mika himself. The artwork has been inspired by children's picture books from the 1940s to 1970s.{{cite web |url=http://www.mikasounds.com/blog/post/589/YO_YO_Enough_marketing_psychobable_dish_dash_Now_I_write |title=MikaSounds / Blog / YO YO! Enough marketing psychobable dish dash! Now I write |website=Mikasounds.com |date=15 July 2009 |access-date=2009-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814014159/http://www.mikasounds.com/blog/post/589/YO_YO_Enough_marketing_psychobable_dish_dash_Now_I_write |archive-date=14 August 2009}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 70/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-boy-who-knew-too-much/mika/critic-reviews|title=Critic Reviews for The Boy Who Knew Too Much|work=Metacritic|access-date=10 April 2015}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1639463}}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2Score = A−{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/mika-the-boy-who-knew-too-much-1798206956|title=The Boy Who Knew Too Much · Mika · Music Review Mika: The Boy Who Knew Too Much · Music Review|website=The A.V. Club}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3Score = A{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/09/16/boy-who-knew-too-much/|title=The Boy Who Knew Too Much - EW.com|work=Entertainment Weekly's EW.com}}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/sep/18/mika-album-review|title=Mika: The Boy Who Knew Too Much|author=Caroline Sullivan|work=The Guardian|date=17 September 2009}}

| rev5 = Los Angeles Times

| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/09/album-review-mikas-the-boy-who-knew-too-much.html|title=Pop & Hiss|work=Los Angeles Times|date=21 September 2009}}

| rev6 = The Observer

| rev6Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/sep/06/mika-boy-knew-too-much|title=Mika: The Boy Who Knew Too Much|author=Peter Robinson|work=The Guardian|date=5 September 2009}}

| rev7 = PopMatters

| rev7Score = {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/111837-mika-the-boy-who-knew-too-much/|title=Mika|work=PopMatters}}

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8Score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/30067260/review/30083986/the_boy_who_knew_too_much|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925184225/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/30067260/review/30083986/the_boy_who_knew_too_much|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 September 2009|title=Album Reviews, Ratings, and Best New Albums|magazine=Rolling Stone}}

| rev9 = Slant

| rev9Score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1850|title=Music|author=Sam C. Mac|website=Slant Magazine|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923153913/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1850|archive-date=23 September 2009}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/mika-boy-who-knew-too-much-casablancauniversal-republic|title=Mika, 'The Boy Who Knew Too Much' (CasablancaUniversal Republic)|work=Spin|date=12 September 2009 }}

| rev11 = The Times

| rev11Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6838724.ece|title=Login|website=The Times}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

}}

The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, based on an aggregate score of 70/100 from Metacritic.{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/mika/boywhoknewtoomuch?q=mika |title=The Boy Who Knew Too Much reviews at |publisher=Metacritic.com |date=22 September 2009 |access-date=2012-09-11}}

• "We Are Golden" was the first single from the album. It received its UK radio debut on BBC Radio 2 on 20 July 2009. It peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.
• "Rain" was the second UK and German single, released on 23 November 2009 in both digital and physical format.{{Cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/top-100/songs/mika/rain/|title=iTunes releases Mika's second single "Rain"|website=apple.com|access-date=28 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002UNWIMS|title=Rain by MIKA: Amazon.co.uk: Music|website=Amazon UK}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mikasounds.com/news/view/702/Mika_Set_To_Rain_Supreme |title=MikaSounds / Latest News / Mika Set To 'Rain' Supreme |website=Mikasounds.com |access-date=2010-05-23}} It peaked at number 72 on the UK Singles Chart, making it Mika's first UK single to miss the top 40. In Germany it peaked at number 56.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.de/charts/germany |title=Hitlist Germany |website= MTV Germany|access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214150942/http://www.mtv.de/charts/germany |archive-date=14 February 2010 |url-status=dead}} It was released as the third UK single, on 15 February 2010.
• "Blame It on the Girls" was the second American and Japanese single from the album.{{cite news|last=Shepherd |first=Fiona |url=http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/CD-review-Mika--The.5663266.jp |title=CD review: Mika — The Boy Who Knew Too Much — Scotsman.com News |website=News.scotsman.com |date= 2009-09-21|access-date=2009-09-27 |location=Edinburgh}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/ListingsServlet?event=10&channelId=132&programmeId=103881879&jspLocation=/jsp/prog_details_fullpage.jsp|title=Radio Times - TV listings guide|work=RadioTimes}} It peaked at number one in Japan but failed to make any impact in the United States. It was released as the third UK single, on 15 February 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.mikasounds.com/news/view/750/Next_Single_-_Blame_It_On_The_Girls_-_Out_February_15th |title=MikaSounds / Latest News / Next Single - 'Blame It On The Girls' - Out February 15th |website=Mikasounds.com |access-date=2010-05-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726172539/http://mikasounds.com/news/view/750/Next_Single_-_Blame_It_On_The_Girls_-_Out_February_15th/ |archive-date=26 July 2012}} It peaked at number 72.
• The song "Good Gone Girl" charted within the Romanian Top 100 on airplay only, without being released as a single.{{cite web|title=Topul celor mai difuzate piese în România în 2010 |url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/arte/muzica/exclusiv-topul-celor-mai-difuzate-piese-in-romania-in-2010-211604.html |work=România Liberă |language=Romanian |access-date=21 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106055506/http://www.romanialibera.ro/arte/muzica/exclusiv-topul-celor-mai-difuzate-piese-in-romania-in-2010-211604.html |archive-date=6 January 2011}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Standard edition

| title1 = We Are Golden

| writer1 = Mika

| length1 = 3:58

| title2 = Blame It on the Girls

| writer2 = Mika

| length2 = 3:34

| title3 = Rain

| writer3 = Mika, Jodi Marr

| length3 = 3:43

| title4 = Dr. John

| writer4 = Mika

| length4 = 3:44

| title5 = I See You

| writer5 = Mika, Walter Afanasieff

| length5 = 4:17

| title6 = Blue Eyes

| writer6 = Mika

| length6 = 2:50

| title7 = Good Gone Girl

| writer7 = Mika, Jodi Marr

| length7 = 3:02

| title8 = Touches You

| writer8 = Mika

| length8 = 3:19

| title9 = By the Time

| writer9 = Mika, Imogen Heap

| length9 = 3:21

| title10 = One Foot Boy

| writer10 = Mika, Rob Davis

| length10 = 2:58

| title11 = Toy Boy

| writer11 = Mika, Jodi Marr

| length11 = 2:56

| title12 = Pick Up Off the Floor

| writer12 = Mika

| length12 = 3:24

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Deluxe edition bonus tracks

| title13 = Lady Jane

| writer13 = Mika

| length13 = 3:20

| title14 = Lover Boy

| writer14 = Mika

| length14 = 3:13

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese edition bonus track

| title13 = We Are Golden

| writer13 = Mika

| note13 = Acoustic

| length13 = 3:08

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Summer edition bonus tracks{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Knew-Much-Special/dp/B003VW3CYK/ref=cm_cr_pr_orig_subj|title=Mika - Boy Who Knew Too Much (Special ed) - Amazon.com Music|website=Amazon.com}}

| title13 = Kick Ass (We Are Young)

| writer13 = Mika, Jodi Marr, RedOne

| length13 = 3:12

| title14 = Lover Boy

| writer14 = Mika

| length14 = 3:13

| title15 = Lady Jane

| writer15 = Mika

| length15 = 3:20

| title16 = Lonely Alcoholic

| writer16 = Mika

| length16 = 3:08

| title17 = Rain

| note17 = Acoustic

| writer17 = Mika

| length17 = 3:06

| title18 = Poker Face

| note18 = BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Session

| writer18 = Stefani Germanotta, Nadir Khayat

| length18 = 3:09

| title19 = Satellite

| writer19 = David J. Matthews

| length19 = 4:14

| title20 = Ring Ring

| writer20 = Mika

| length20 = 2:48

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = UK deluxe edition bonus disc: Mika: Live at Sadler's Wells

| title1 = Grace Kelly

| writer1 = Mika, Jodi Marr, John Merchant, Dan Warner

| length1 = 4:24

| title2 = Lady Jane

| writer2 = Mika

| length2 = 3:04

| title3 = Stuck in the Middle

| writer3 = Mika

| length3 = 6:06

| title4 = Lonely Alcoholic

| writer4 = Mika

| length4 = 3:17

| title5 = Blue Eyes

| writer5 = Mika

| length5 = 3:34

| title6 = Toy Boy

| writer6 = Mika, Jodi Marr

| length6 = 3:55

| title7 = Billy Brown

| writer7 = Mika

| length7 = 3:32

| title8 = Good Gone Girl

| writer8 = Mika, Jodi Marr

| length8 = 3:10

| title9 = Over My Shoulder

| writer9 = Mika

| length9 = 4:11

| title10 = Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)

| writer10 = Mika

| length10 = 4:12

| title11 = Love Today

| writer11 = Mika

| length11 = 3:45

| title12 = Blame It on the Girls

| writer12 = Mika

| length12 = 6:18

| title13 = Happy Ending

| writer13 = Mika

| length13 = 5:22

| title14 = Lollipop

| writer14 = Mika

| length14 = 7:08

| title15 = My Interpretation

| writer15 = Mika, Jodi Marr, Richie Supa

| length15 = 3:15

| title16 = Rain

| writer16 = Mika

| length16 = 5:07

| title17 = Relax, Take It Easy

| writer17 = Mika

| length17 = 5:38

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = American deluxe edition bonus DVD: The Boy Who Didn't Know Enough

| title1 = We Are Golden

| note1 = The Making of the Video

| writer1 = Mika

| length1 = 3:00

| title2 = We Are Golden

| note2 = Video

| writer2 = Mika

| length2 = 4:02

| title3 = Making the Parc Des Princes Show

| note3 = Video

| writer3 = Mika

| length3 = 15:00

| title4 = Grace Kelly

| note4 = Live from Parc Des Princes

| writer4 = Mika, Jodi Marr, John Merchant, Dan Warner

| length4 = 4:35

| title5 = Lollipop

| note5 = Live from Parc Des Princes

| writer5 = Mika

| length5 = 6:22

| title6 = Love Today

| note6 = Live from Parc Des Princes

| writer6 = Mika

| length6 = 7:08

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Asian deluxe edition bonus disc: B-Sides & Rarities{{cite web|url=http://image.kyobobook.co.kr/newimages/music/large/6393/2393644.jpg|format=JPG|title=Photographic image of Korean album cover|website=Image.kyobobook.co.kr|access-date=28 March 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.yesasia.com/global/mika-the-boy-who-knew-too-much-2cd-korea-special-edition-korea-version/1022767425-0-0-0-zh_TW/info.html|title=YESASIA : Mika - The Boy Who Knew Too Much (2CD) (Korea Special Edition) (Korea Version) 鐳射唱片 - MIKA - 西方／世界音樂 - 郵費全免|website=Yesasia.com|access-date=28 March 2022}}

| title1 = Kick Ass (We Are Young)

| writer1 = Mika, Jodi Marr, RedOne

| length1 = 3:14

| title2 = We Are Golden

| note2 = Calvin Harris Remix

| writer2 = Mika

| length2 = 6:58

| title3 = Rain

| note3 = Benny Benassi Remix

| writer3 = Mika

| length3 = 6:10

| title4 = Blame It on the Girls

| note4 = Not on the Starsmith Remix

| writer4 = Mika

| length4 = 6:53

| title5 = Poker Face

| note5 = BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Session

| writer5 = Stefani Germanotta, Nadir Khayat

| length5 = 3:05

| title6 = Kick Ass (We Are Young)

| note6 = Cutmore Remix

| writer6 = Mika, Jodi Marr, RedOne

| length6 = 3:53

| title7 = Relax, Take It Easy

| note7 = Ashley Beedle's Castro Vocal Discomix

| writer7 = Mika

| length7 = 6:18

| title8 = Grace Kelly

| note8 = Tom Neville Full Vocal Remix

| writer8 = Mika, Jodi Marr, Dan Warner

| length8 = 9:03

| title9 = Love Today

| note9 = Switch Remix

| writer9 = Mika

| length9 = 5:31

| title10 = Happy Ending

| note10 = Kleerup Mix

| writer10 = Mika

| length10 = 6:31

| title11 = Rain

| note11 = P Zombies Remix

| writer11 = Mika

| length11 = 6:34

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Summer deluxe edition bonus disc: The Best of Life in Cartoon Motion

| title1 = Any Other World

| writer1 = Mika

| length1 = 4:19

| title2 = Grace Kelly

| writer2 = Mika, Jodi Marr, Dan Warner

| length2 = 3:07

| title3 = Lollipop

| writer3 = Mika

| length3 = 3:03

| title4 = My Interpretation

| writer4 = Mika, Jodi Marr

| length4 = 3:35

| title5 = Relax, Take It Easy

| writer5 = Mika

| length5 = 3:44

| title6 = Love Today

| writer6 = Mika

| length6 = 3:55

| title7 = Happy Ending

| note7 = The LA Edit

| writer7 = Mika

| length7 = 3:54

| title8 = Over My Shoulder

| writer8 = Mika

| length8 = 4:45

}}

• Mika – vocals, piano, keyboards, background vocals, background violin

;Additional musicians

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Walter Afanasieff – percussion, keyboards
• The Andrae Crouch Choir – background vocals
• Lorna Bridge – background vocals
• Paul Buckmaster – strings
• Matt Chamberlain – drums, percussion
• Andrew Dermanis – additional vocals
• Gary Grant – horns
• Jerry Hey – horns
• Imogen Heap – drums, background vocals, keyboard
• Dan Higgins – horns
• Alex Millar – background vocals
• Audrey Moukataff – background vocals
• Chris Nicolaides – background vocals

{{col-2}}

• Cherisse Osei – drums
• Owen Pallett – violin
• Tim Pierce – guitar
• Fortune Penniman – background vocals
• Paloma Penniman – background vocals, additional vocals
• Zuleika Penniman – background vocals
• Bill Reichenbach Jr. – horns
• Dan Rothchild – bass guitar, background vocals
• Fabien Waltmann – keyboards
• Martin Waugh – guitar, background vocals
• Greg Wells – keyboards, drums, bass, percussion, guitar
• Ida Falk Winland – background vocals
• Lyle Workman – guitar

{{col-end}}

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2009|access-date=29 June 2012|title=The Boy Who Knew Too Much|artist=Mika}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2009|relmonth=9|access-date=29 June 2012|title=The Boy Who Knew Too Much|artist=Mika|certyear=2009|certmonth=11}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|award=Platinum|number=3|type=album|relyear=2009|source=infodisc|title=The Boy Who Knew Too Much|artist=Mika|certyear=2010|access-date=October 15, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2009|access-date=16 November 2015|title=The Boy Who Knew Too Much|artist=Mika}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2009|access-date=29 June 2012|title=The Boy Who Knew Too Much|artist=Mika}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2009|certyear=2022|title=The Boy Who Knew Too Much|artist=Mika|access-date=27 May 2022|id=9284-726-2}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{col-end}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.mikasounds.com/ MikaSounds.com] – Mika's official website
• [https://www.youtube.com/user/MikaSoundsBlog Mika] on YouTube

{{Mika}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boy Who Knew Too Much, The}}

Category:2009 albums

Category:Casablanca Records albums

Category:Mika (singer) albums

Category:Albums produced by Greg Wells