Regina Richards
Encyclopedia
Regina Richards better known by her stage name Regina, is an American
dance music
singer born in Brooklyn
, New York
. She is best known for her hit
"Baby Love
," which reached Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1986. It peaked in the UK Singles Chart
at #50 the same year. [She is not to be confused with another artist named Regina (from Brasil, who charted with "Day by Day" in 1997), or the 2006 album by the May Petals called Regina.]
Regina graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 1979 with a degree in theatre. She began her musical career as part of the New York punk and new-wave scenes. Her first single
"Tyger" was released by A&M Records
in 1980. She then released an album
as Regina Richards and Red Hot on A&M, followed by a solo single, "Deep Dreaming," for that label.
Initially, Regina only wished to pursue success in the mainstream style as a songwriter
, with the idea that her work as a performer would remain in an alternative music vein. Regina co-wrote "Baby Love" with frequent Madonna collaborator Stephen Bray
; Regina wanted another person to sing the song, however her record label, Atlantic Records, told Regina to sing the song herself.
"Baby Love" was taken from Regina's Curiosity album, which also included "Say Goodbye," a song she had originally written with Kenny Rogers
in mind. Regina remains a one-hit wonder
on the Billboard Hot 100
, but in addition to the #1 placing of "Baby Love," she saw three other songs hit the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart
– "Beat of Love," "Head On," and "Extraordinary Love." In 1987 she undertook an anti-drug public service announcement with the animated McGruff the Crime Dog
, that aired well into the 1990s.
A second Regina album, 'Best Kept Secret', was never released.
In 1991, Australian singer Dannii Minogue
released a cover of "Baby Love" as a single, reaching #14 in the UK Singles Chart
.
Regina – who now goes by the name Regina Lee – is married to a pediatric neurosurgeon, and moved with her four children from Augusta, Georgia to Austin, Texas
, where she currently resides.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
singer born in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. She is best known for her hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
"Baby Love
Baby Love (Regina song)
"Baby Love" is a 1986 crossover hit single by Brooklyn-born singer Regina. The single hit number one on the dance charts for two weeks in mid-1986. The single also crossed over to the pop singles chart, where it peaked at #10 and also made the Top 30 on the Soul Singles chart...
," which reached Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1986. It peaked in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at #50 the same year. [She is not to be confused with another artist named Regina (from Brasil, who charted with "Day by Day" in 1997), or the 2006 album by the May Petals called Regina.]
Regina graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 1979 with a degree in theatre. She began her musical career as part of the New York punk and new-wave scenes. Her first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Tyger" was released by A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
in 1980. She then released an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
as Regina Richards and Red Hot on A&M, followed by a solo single, "Deep Dreaming," for that label.
Initially, Regina only wished to pursue success in the mainstream style as a songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, with the idea that her work as a performer would remain in an alternative music vein. Regina co-wrote "Baby Love" with frequent Madonna collaborator Stephen Bray
Stephen Bray
Stephen Bray is an American songwriter, drummer, and record producer from Detroit. Bray is best known for his collaboration with Madonna.Bray began studying music through private instruction in Detroit, and continued his education at Berklee College of Music in Boston.Bray owns and operates Saturn...
; Regina wanted another person to sing the song, however her record label, Atlantic Records, told Regina to sing the song herself.
"Baby Love" was taken from Regina's Curiosity album, which also included "Say Goodbye," a song she had originally written with Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
in mind. Regina remains a one-hit wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, but in addition to the #1 placing of "Baby Love," she saw three other songs hit the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
– "Beat of Love," "Head On," and "Extraordinary Love." In 1987 she undertook an anti-drug public service announcement with the animated McGruff the Crime Dog
McGruff the Crime Dog
McGruff the Crime Dog is an anthropomorphic cartoon bloodhound created by Saatchi & Saatchi through the Ad Council for the National Crime Prevention Council for use by American police in building crime awareness among children. He debuted in July 1980. The character was created by John Young. The...
, that aired well into the 1990s.
A second Regina album, 'Best Kept Secret', was never released.
In 1991, Australian singer Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
released a cover of "Baby Love" as a single, reaching #14 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Regina – who now goes by the name Regina Lee – is married to a pediatric neurosurgeon, and moved with her four children from Augusta, Georgia to Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, where she currently resides.
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart