Expose'-What You Don't Know

They say I should be acting cool, they tell me I'm a fool, they don't see the things I see in you...


By the summer of 1988, Expose' was one of the hottest female bands of the late 1980's.  In fact, they were in the catbird seat:  their debut album, Exposure, was a double-platinum success yielding a record-setting four top ten hits singles.  Their last single, Season's Change, had peaked at Number One on the Hot 100.  That being said, there was a new challenge on the horizon in the form of their follow-up second album.  It seemed like a lot of dance acts could not maintain their chart success with a second album.  However, Expose' had three things going for them:  One, Ann, Jeanette,and Gioia had grown close touring to support the Exposure album and had become like sisters.  Second, they had their boss, Arista President, Clive Davis, behind them.  Lastly, their producer, Lewis Martinee, had some killer new songs up his sleeve for the new album.  So, in late 1988, the ladies headed back to the studio to start recording what would become their sophomore effort What You Don't Know.  The following blog will discuss the four singles that were released off the album, and also some stellar album tracks.

One of main differences from the first and second albums was on the second album, the ladies of Expose' all recorded as a group, and they recorded their own background vocals as a group.  When Exposure was being pulled together, the backgrounds were already recorded by three other ladies.  All Gioia, Jeanette, and Ann had to do was record their leads on the songs that were assigned to them.  They didn't work together as a group on Exposure.  So, when they recorded their second albums, the background had more of a group feel to them, which made the project sound more exciting.  How about that?  A novel idea!  The second difference from the first album was that Gioia fronted a majority of the songs at five, Jeanette sings three and Ann has two.  When finished, the album had eleven carefully vetted tracks,  four of which were releases as singles:

What You Don't Know:  Written by Lewis Martinee, the title track of the album kicked off side one of the album.  It's interesting to note that Jeanette originally recorded lead vocals to this tune, only to have her version shelved and Gioia recorded her lead.  It was Gioia's powerhouse voice that graced the song when it hit the radio in the spring of 1989.  The radio friendly single mix of the dance tune continued Expose's run in the top ten by landing at number 8, and earned Expose' their first gold single, certified by the RIAA. If you haven't seen the video for this song, check it out.  The girls sneak off to rehearsal while their boyfriends catch a game on TV.  The video ends when they return to their unsuspecting men, and Ann winks at the camera.

When I Look at Him:  Another Martinee penned tune was released and Jeanette returned to lead the second single, which happened to be a ballad.  When I Looked at Him dominated pop radio and it seemed this song was played all the time!  What I personally love about this tune, is that it starts off with heavy instrumental opening and then backs off for the first verse.  As the song progresses, it just builds to the final chorus.  Jeanette's dreamy delivery and tight background vocals made this song a stand out, and it peaked at number ten.  Like it's predecessor, the single mix of this song was issued to radio and was a knock out!

Tell Me Why:  Once again, the single remix of this tune was issued to radio and was in stark contrast to its album version.  When Expose' released this tune in early 1990, they stunned record label executives and fans alike:  this song was Expose's seventh straight top ten pop record.  Many trade magazines credited Expose' as a group that had as many top forty hits as The Supremes.  Again, lead by Gioia and written by Martinee, this funky tune was a call to end gang violence, and featured a rap performed to perfection by Gioia:

Gangs are not where it's at

Give it up no time for that

Imagine people hand in hand

No more fighting in this land

Red, yellow, black or white

Color's don't make up what's right

Come with me and see the light

We can start the peace tonight

Let the music fill your life

Now's the time to realize

Don't believe in a lie,

Can't you hear the people's cry?

Your Baby Never Looked Good In Blue: The last single to be released by Expose' broke the streak of top ten singles by peaking at number seventeen.  This was also the first song Expose' released that was written by someone other that Lewis Martinee.  An up and coming song writer named Diane Warren, who had just penned major hits for DeBarge (Rhythm of the Night) and Milli Vanilli (Blame it on the Rain) wrote two songs that Expose' wanted:  Your Baby Never Looked Good In Blue and I'll Never Get Over You (Getting Over Me).  Jeanette, who fronted Your Baby, loved both songs and chose the latter, but Martinee chose the former to be included on the album.  Never fear, because I'll Never Get Over You (Getting Over Me) was to appear on the trio's next album.

When it was finally released, What You Don't Know peaked at number Thirty-Three, and was certified gold by the RIAA.  Although not the major seller as their debut album, Expose' still scored a major hit for their efforts.  As with their first album, there were some standout tracks on the album that deserve an honorable mention.  First was Stop, Listen, Look & Think.  Ann once again showed off her chops by handling the lead vocals on this tune that was a major hit in the clubs.  It's a shame that a club hit like this one with Ann's smoking lead wasn't mixed for a single release for the radio.  The other one was Gioia's lead on Love Don't Hurt (Until You Fall).  Despite the fact the instrumentation on the song sounded like a carbon copy of Let Me Be The One.  Aside from that, the song smolders and is a true asset to the album.  Last was Walk Along With Me.  This tune featured a multi-lead from all three members of Expose':  Gioia handled the first verse, Ann the second, and Jeanette sings the pre-chorus.  This was another song that could have been a radio hit for the group.

By the summer of 1990, the ladies of Expose' were on an unstoppable roll, until one member's personal tragedy brought things to a grinding halt.

Of course, you can purchase a copy of What You Don't Know, the expanded edition from Amazon.  Loaded up with their singles mixes, album mixes and all the dance floor goodness!

Up next:  Expose's third album to be published the week of Thanksgiving!!