[What's Love Got To Do With A Private Dancer?] -- Forty years ago this week, Tina Turner (November 26, 1939 – May 24, 2023) released her fifth solo studio album. Private Dancer (May 29, 1984) lifted Turner into the heights of a bonafide superstar. In the US alone, Private Dancer reached #3 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts while also reaching the top 10 in several charts around the world. And with its multi-platinum certifications, this album is still Turner's best-selling album in North America to date.
This record also boasted Turner's biggest-selling single of her career: "What's Love Got to Do with It." In addition to topping the US Billboard Hot 100, and holding the #1 spot for three weeks, "What's Love Got to Do with It" also peaked at #8 on the US Adult Contemporary, #21 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs, and #2 on the US Hot Black Singles charts. It also climbed several charts around the world. And, as if that wasn't enough, this single also won three Grammy Awards in 1985: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.
But this album was far from a one-hit wonder. The other gems on this album include the title track, "Private Dancer," "Better Be Good to Me" (another Grammy winner!) and several cover tracks – such as Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," David Bowie's "1984," and the Beatles' "Help!" And if you want to hear the divine Ms. Turner really cut loose marrying her 1960s roots with the 1980s mood, look no further than "Steel Claw" (which really should have appeared on a soundtrack or something). And if you don't agree with me on that, maybe after you view Turner's live performance of "Steel Claw" you'll at least agree she was a helluva performer.
Flashback: Private Dancer (May 29, 1984)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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