Much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ segments, readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past. So in a quest to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday we introduced a new retrospective segment – ‘TGJ Replay’.
Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase albums (and eras) from a library of pop music hits. Join us as we press play on the classic collection of hits from the reigning Queen of Rock N’ Soul Tina Turner.
Don’t call it a comeback…
Nearly 30 years have passed since rock icon Tina Turner first strutted up charts with her breakthrough album ‘Private Dancer’, but the set is still regarded as a milestone record for the merging of R&B, pop, and rock genres.
Interestingly, it is often mistaken as Turner’s first album post-divorce from husband/creative partner Ike Turner (with whom she wielded memorable hits ‘A Fool In Love’, ‘River Deep, Mountain High’, and ‘Proud Mary’). But, ‘Dancer’ is actually her fifth solo outing after a string of moderate or overlooked attempts at chart success.
1983 saw Tina team with Capitol Records in what was (at the time) believed to be a risky attempt to relaunch the then-fallen star’s solo career. The result of that collaboration, however, was the 1984 album that catapulted the songstress into global fame and history books. With a string of 7 hit singles, led by the top 10-charting remake of Al Green’s signature hit ‘Let’s Stay Together’…
‘Let’s Stay Together’
The self-proclaimed ‘acid queen’ was indeed burning up the charts. And, while the album was already enjoying unforeseen success, it was the release of its second single ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ that would see it propelled to the stratosphere.
Soaring straight to #1, the heartbroken R&B groove instantly became the singer’s signature song and most successful single to date…
‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’
Helping the album shift a reported 20 million units worldwide, the song dominated the next year’s Grammy Awards – sweeping the ‘Record of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’, and ‘Best Female Pop Vocal’ categories…
‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ (Live at 1985 Grammys)
Tina Turner Accepts ‘Record of the Year’ Grammy presented by Diana Ross
Overall, with the assistance of singles ‘Better Be Good To Me’, ’1984′, and more, the album took home 4 Grammy awards. Fast forward 30 years later, the album can be found in the upper listenings of multiple critics’ ‘Best Album of All Time’ tallies along with Tina herself reigning in similar ‘Best Artist of All Time’ compilations…
‘Can’t Stand the Rain’
To say that she is deserving would be an understatement. Inspiring a mass of female singers to up their stage game and/or fuse their R&B/rock offerings, many-a-Beyonce fan ought to thank her idol for the global superstar she has become in her own right.
‘Private Dancer’
If ever proof were needed or required to substantiate claims that Tina is indeed the Queen of Rock N’ Roll (Rock N’ Soul), one needn’t look any further than ‘Private Dancer’ – the groundbreaking LP that effortlessly fused her love of R&B, pop, and rock to create a classically eclectic album.
All hail the Queen…
25 COMMENTS
BitchICan'tEvenSpellWelfare
March 12, 2013 at 12:37 pm
A straight up CLASSIC! Love this album!
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Dossome
March 12, 2013 at 12:43 pm
I love this woman….the greatest female entertainer of all time…it is only janet who could come close….that song ‘private dancer’ is my jam
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ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ
March 12, 2013 at 2:41 pm
This.
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Dossier
March 12, 2013 at 1:07 pm
Tina Turner is a self-hating bigot. Watch this video: http://youtu.be/bMjyIOnWUlQ
I do not see it for Anna Mae.
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BeyWhoUWanna
March 12, 2013 at 3:11 pm
I can’t believe she’s so ignorant. This really shocked me and put me off her.
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yes
March 12, 2013 at 4:05 pm
this was years ago….jees. im sure she doesnt think that now.
but lols calling africans lazy for living off the land and saying they had bad food. OMG LOL.
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PRIVATE DANCER
March 12, 2013 at 1:12 pm
*SINGING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS* I’LL BE YOUR PRIVATE DANCER DANCER FOR MONEY DO WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO!!!!! I LOVE TINA TURNER!!! *AKA ANNA MAE BULLOCK FROM BROWNSVILLE TEXAS!! SHE IS THE REASON WHY I LIVE IN NYC AND FOLLOWINGG MY DREAMS ON BROADWAY!!! LOVE YOU MS. TURNER!!!
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Stans Make Me LOL
March 12, 2013 at 1:24 pm
True Strength, True Class, True Talent, Real Woman
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Cole
March 12, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Queen of rock n soul??
No TGJ…
Just Rock n Roll!!!
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Suicide Blonde
March 12, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Stunning woman, she is a rare gem in the music industry, she’s enigmatic and sexy still at her age, this record definitely cemented her status as the Queen of Rock N’ Soul, The Queen of rock N’ Roll is Janis Joplin (citation needed). Her unique voice and style are Iconic, she’s also a great performer, if you ask me she is there with the likes of Cher and Madonna when it comes to best female entertainers. Like Madonna, she challenges the system (Ageism in America), another proof that age ain’t nothing but a number.
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ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ
March 12, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Exactly.
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Mark111
March 12, 2013 at 5:36 pm
They’re both Queens of Rock N Roll, just like Madonna and Janet are Queens of Pop. You can’t choose one or the other, they all have a mark in music and top rank.
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Suicide Blonde
March 12, 2013 at 5:49 pm
@ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ
<3
@MARK111
Let's not…only on this site and in the world of some black people are Tina Turner the Queen of Rock N' Roll and Janet Jackson The Queen of Pop, get overt, Madonna and Janis don't share their titles with anybody, and before you go crazy i love both Tina and Janet but let's be real.
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JOHNVIDAL
March 13, 2013 at 4:42 am
@suicide
Sorry but I think for most of the world Tina Turner is the queen of Rock N Roll, just like Madonna is of Pop
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ƸӜƷ MC ƸӜƷ
March 12, 2013 at 2:44 pm
Iconic in every sense of the word. This era is one of the most successful eras by a female not just commercially but also impact and longevity wise.
Her best era imo.
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JOHNVIDAL
March 12, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Yaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssss Tina Turner aka the best female entertainer in history. So raw, real, unique, original, talented, special voice, her moves, her interaction with the public and the fact she achieved this and what became a glorious 80´s decade (and 90´s and on) after so much suffering and after year of her success with Ike… memorable. Yes bitches when most females and artists in general struggle to have commercial success (apart from touring if they are lucky) Tina Turner did it with 40-50 years old. That was the peak of her career. Fucking amazing
My first idol when I was 4, Queen Tina Turner
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Let's Be Real
March 12, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Yes! Love this woman! LOVE THE ALBUM! Tina will always be relevant! Her work has created some of today’s biggest stars and cite her as influence from Beyoncé to Fantasia ( who stated private dancer was inspiration for “side effects ” to Madonna Tina is a certified LEGEND. my favorite song from the album? Private Dancer..favorite somg she ever recorded? River Deep Mountain High!
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JOHNVIDAL
March 12, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Her concert in Barcelone in 1990 is one of the most authentic and special things I´ve ever seen. Everybody should check it. What a body and energy at 50 years old, what an audience… stunning
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Yaz
March 12, 2013 at 3:04 pm
I never really liked her music, and shes not my best female entertainer of all time, but gotta respect a legend who opened doors for the young generation of stars.
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ladylady
March 12, 2013 at 4:57 pm
The Grand Dame…. She was sexy and Badass WITHOUT cheapening herself. Love to you Tina.
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King B>Rihanna
March 12, 2013 at 5:39 pm
The greatest female entertainer ever who birthed my current fav…Long Live the Queen.
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TheChefette
March 12, 2013 at 10:04 pm
ya’ll should do a Patti labelle one
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N.T.S
March 13, 2013 at 2:16 am
Oh…the suicidal blondie name-dropping madonna as usual on every damn thread…as an entertainer madge is on the level of beyonce and gaga which is soooooo beneath queen tina and queen janet
aside from the shock value and record sales her stans inflate every fucking day,madonna will never achieve what cher,tina and janet achieved as entertainers
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Taylor Is A Hoe
March 13, 2013 at 8:21 am
what are these old 90′s baby doing on this type of site tho. Aren’t you like 30 or 40 something on a gossip website.Don’t you have like WORK or something to do.Poor souls if you fav were so legendary you old heifers would not have to come on a site like this to constantly bash current artist just to make your old favs seem so superior.
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Denzel
March 13, 2013 at 9:45 am
I love the whole album but my favorites are Show Some Respect, Help! (brings me to tears sometimes), I can’t stand the rain (the beat is crazy) but i also enjoy Private Dancer, What’s Love Got to Do with It, Let’s Stay Together (that song ooh boy talk about getting me in the mood to rock to the song)
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