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Friday, May 04, 2018

I miss Robert Palmer and yes indeed I bought this single from the bargain bins . . . . . the video directed by famed fashion photographer Terence Donovan and the universality of the lyrics make it classic pop IMHO. It may be somewhat uncool now but I am not ashamed to say I really enjoyed this when it came out and while I guess my favourite single might be 'Looking For Clues' or especially 'Johnny & Mary' this is always considered classic Palmer. Died way too early at 54 of a heart attack, he was always a stylish and accomplished artist who would undoubtedly have gone on to even bigger and better things or at least maintained his besuited soul style as an elder statesman of the genre and there isn't a duff track anywhere throughout his entire oeuvre 


On this day in music history: May 3, 1986 - “Addicted To Love” by Robert Palmer hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week. Written by Robert Palmer, it is the biggest hit for the blue eyed soul and rock vocalist from Batley, West Yorkshire, UK. After the huge success of The Power Station’s self titled album in 1985, singer Robert Palmer once again collaborates with producer and musician Bernard Edwards for his seventh studio album “Riptide”. Recording at Compass Point Studios (owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell), in Nassau, The Bahamas, Edwards assembles a crack team of musicians to play on the album including former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor, drummer Tony Thompson, keyboardist Wally Badarou, and the producer himself on bass. “Addicted To Love” is originally conceived as duet between Palmer and singer Chaka Khan, but the track is remixed with Khan’s vocals removed before the albums release. Her label Warner Bros refuses grant clearance for the track to be released as a single with her voice on it. With Chaka featured on the “Krush Groove” and “Miami Vice” soundtracks during 1985, and also scheduled to release her seventh solo album “Destiny” in the first half of 1986, her label fears overexposure by having so many records out in such a brief time span. However, she is credited with arranging the vocals on the finished recording. Released as the second single from “Riptide” in January of 1986, it quickly hits the charts. Entering the Hot 100 at #83 on February 8, 1986, it climbs to the top of the chart twelve weeks later. The songs popularity is bolstered by an instantly memorable and iconic music video directed by British fashion photographer Terrence Donovan. It features Palmer fronting a band consisting of five fashion models all wearing identical clothing, hair styles and make up. The single wins Palmer his first Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance in 1987. During the songs run on the charts, Island Records in the US releases “Addicted” with two different picture sleeves, the first being a head shot of Palmer, and the second a still photo from the music video. “Addicted To Love” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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