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…