robert owens (born august 16, 1961) is an american songwriter, record producer, dj and singer, best known for his work with the chicago house group fingers inc. in the mid-1980s. as a solo artist, he has placed several songs on the hot dance music/club play chart, two of which hit number-one: "i'll be your friend" (1992), and "mine to give" (2000, a collaboration with photek).