Sarah Washington (born Sarah Warwick) is a British pop, electronic dance and hi-NRG singer. Before branching out as a solo artist, under her real name she was lead singer in the jazzy house-pop group 'Souled Out' (earlier known as 'Sold Out'). This included an album (The Magic Of The Language Of Music In Effect, 1991) and several well received singles by the dance community. Later in the 1990s after a name change to Washington, she had four singles reach the UK Singles Chart.[1] She is probably most known for her dance-cover of "I Will Always Love You" which was released in 1993. It peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, number 15 in Ireland and number three in Spain. Later same year, she recorded a dance version of the George Michael hit "Careless Whisper" that peaked at number 45 in the UK. Almighty Records released an updated version of the song with new versions in 2012.
In 1996, after Washington got signed under major label AM:PM, the singles "Heaven" and "Everything" reached numbers 28 and 30, respectively.[2] "Heaven" also spent one week at number 50 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in July 1996.[3] An album was also recorded at this time but remained unreleased until 2019-almost 25 years after it was recorded. The album titled 'Home To My Thoughts' contains 18 tracks and is currently only available to purchase/stream in digital download form.
Working with Stereolove, Australian DJ James Fraser, a new recording of "Heaven" was released on February 5, 2013.[4]
She has also appeared in the Eurodance compilation Dancemania series including Dancemania Speed 2.[5]
Singles
"I Will Always Love You"
See also main article "I Will Always Love You" (Sarah Washington version)
Charts
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[6] | 44 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[7] | 15 |
| Spain (AFYVE) | 3 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8] | 32 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 12 |
"Careless Whisper"
Charts
| Chart (1993–1994) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[9] | 78 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[10] | 90 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[7] | 20 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 45 |
| UK Airplay (ERA)[11] | 86 |
"Heaven"
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "While on the AM:PM tip, be sure to check out Sarah Washington's uplifting vocal on the gospel-touched "Heaven", which sports meaty beats courtesy of Jazz'n'Groove."[12] Daniel Booth from Melody Maker said, "Dance at its most volcanic. More insistent than Eskimos & Egypt. Handbag meets House in a fountain of noise. Think Benidorm, think Ibiza, think the golden glow of a Friday night and the intoxication of a Saturday night. You could chew this tune till your gums bleed."[13]
Charts
Year-end charts
| Chart (1996) | Positions |
|---|---|
| UK Club Chart (Music Week)[16] | 23 |
"Everything"
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Speaking of AM:PM, sprint to your fave import shop for a copy of "Everything" by Sarah Washington. It's essential to the collection of any disciple of fierce house divas. There are mixes to suit nearly every frame of mind or body, thanks to Farley & Heller, Mood II Swing, Mark Mendoza, Hippie Torales, and A&G Division."[17] Daisy & Havoc from Music Week's RM Dance Update rated "Everything" four out of five. They added, "AM:PM continues its winning streak with this enormous vocal track, the follow-up to 'Heaven'. In fact, we prefer this to its predecessor — it's not the most original record you'll ever hear but the song is good and extremely catchy and the production by Tom Fredrikse and A&G Division (Marc Auerbach and Ian Green) is all very classy and interesting."[18]
Charts
Year-end charts
| Chart (1996) | Positions |
|---|---|
| UK Club Chart (Music Week)[22] | 65 |
"Joy Is Free"
Charts
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC) | 88 |
Discography
- 1993 – "I Will Always Love You (Dance Mix)" (UK #12)
- 1993 – "Careless Whisper" (UK #45)
- 1996 – "Heaven" (UK #28)
- 1996 – "Everything" (UK #30)
- 1996 - "Home To My Thoughts" (album recorded in 1996 but remained unreleased until 2019)
- 1998 – "Joy Is Free" (Dive feat. Sarah Washington) (UK #88)
- 2013 – "Heaven" (Stereolove feat. Sarah Washington)