Silk Electric
Encyclopedia
Silk Electric is a 1982
album released by American
singer Diana Ross
on the RCA
label. The album is most notable for its iconic Andy Warhol
-designed album cover of Ross and for the Top 10, Grammy-nominated single, "Muscles
" . It was the second album self-produced by the singer except for the aforementioned hit, which was produced and written by Michael Jackson
. The album was certified Gold for sales surpassing 500,000 units in the United States alone, eventually selling approximately 800,000 copies.
The Andy Warhol cover design was replicated on the actual LP press, which instead of being called "Side 1" and "Side 2" were called "Face A" and "Face B" . The song "Turn Me Over" was actually a cue to the listener to turn the record album or cassette over to the second side or "face." This cue would be unnecessary on the new CD format or in the digital MP3 world. The initial release of the LP had a clear sticker that contained the "Silk Electric" logo, so that once removed the cover looked like the Warhol painting without any words.
Side B
1982 in music
This is a list of notable events in music from 1982. 1982 was a big year in music with Madonna making her debut as well as the year that Michael Jackson released Thriller which became the world's best selling album and it still holds that title today....
album released by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
on the RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
label. The album is most notable for its iconic Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
-designed album cover of Ross and for the Top 10, Grammy-nominated single, "Muscles
Muscles (song)
"Muscles" is a 1982 soul single written and produced by Michael Jackson and performed by American R&B/soul singer Diana Ross.The single reached number ten on the pop singles chart and number four on the R&B singles chart upon its release and was the first single from her gold-certified album, Silk...
" . It was the second album self-produced by the singer except for the aforementioned hit, which was produced and written by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. The album was certified Gold for sales surpassing 500,000 units in the United States alone, eventually selling approximately 800,000 copies.
The Andy Warhol cover design was replicated on the actual LP press, which instead of being called "Side 1" and "Side 2" were called "Face A" and "Face B" . The song "Turn Me Over" was actually a cue to the listener to turn the record album or cassette over to the second side or "face." This cue would be unnecessary on the new CD format or in the digital MP3 world. The initial release of the LP had a clear sticker that contained the "Silk Electric" logo, so that once removed the cover looked like the Warhol painting without any words.
Track listing
Side A- "MusclesMuscles (song)"Muscles" is a 1982 soul single written and produced by Michael Jackson and performed by American R&B/soul singer Diana Ross.The single reached number ten on the pop singles chart and number four on the R&B singles chart upon its release and was the first single from her gold-certified album, Silk...
" (Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
) - 4:36 - "So Close" (Bill Wray, Diana Ross, Rob MounseyRob MounseyRob Mounsey is an award-winning composer, music producer, and musician. He was born in Berea, Ohio and grew up in Seattle, Washington and several Ohio towns. At the age of 17, he was awarded a BMI Student Composer's Award in New York. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1971 to 1975...
) - 4:12 - "Still In Love" (Randy Handley) - 4:06
- "Fool For Your Love" (Bill Wray, Diana Ross, Ray Chew) - 3:47
- "Turn Me Over" (Diana Ross, Steve Goldstein) - 1:10
Side B
- "Who" (Barry BlueBarry BlueBarry Blue is a singer / producer / songwriter from the United Kingdom. He is best known for his hit songs, "Dancin' " , which he co-wrote with Lynsey de Paul, and "Do You Wanna Dance" .At 14 he signed to record producer Norrie Paramor whose erstwhile assistant was one Tim Rice - the producer of...
, Rod Bowkett) - 3:45 - "Love Lies" (Allan Chapman, Michael Hanna) - 4:05
- "In Your Arms" (Linda CreedLinda CreedLinda Creed also known by her married name Linda Epstein, was an American singer-songwriter and lyricist who teamed up with songwriter-producer Thom Bell to produce some of the most successful Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s.-Career:Born in Philadelphia in 1949, Creed was raised in the...
, Michael MasserMichael MasserMichael Masser , a former stockbroker, is a composer and producer of popular music. He attended the University of Illinois College of Law, but left to pursue his interest in music...
) - 3:30 - "Anywhere You Run To" (David Roberts) - 3:30
- "I Am Me" (Diana Ross, Freddie Gorman, Janie BradfordJanie BradfordJanie Bradford is an American songwriter, most known for her tenure with Motown. With Berry Gordy, she co-wrote "Money ", originally recorded by Barrett Strong and used by The Beatles on their second album With The Beatles...
) - 3:50
Personnel
- Diana Ross - vocals, producer
- Michael Jackson - producer
- Patti AustinPatti Austin-Life and career:Austin was born in Harlem, New York. She made her debut at the Apollo Theater at age four and had a contract with RCA Records when she was only five. Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington have proclaimed themselves as her godparents....
- vocals - Luther VandrossLuther VandrossLuther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
- vocals - Rob MounseyRob MounseyRob Mounsey is an award-winning composer, music producer, and musician. He was born in Berea, Ohio and grew up in Seattle, Washington and several Ohio towns. At the age of 17, he was awarded a BMI Student Composer's Award in New York. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1971 to 1975...
- string & horn arrangement - Bill Wolfer - synthesizer
- Paul ShafferPaul ShafferPaul Allen Wood Shaffer, CM is a Canadian musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian, and composer who has been David Letterman's sidekick since 1982.-Early years:...
- keyboards - Tawatha Agee - vocals
- Joe Bargar - piano
- Errol Bennett - percussion
- Michael BoddickerMichael BoddickerMichael J. Boddicker , is an American film composer and session musician, specializing in electronic music. Three times N.A.R.A.S. Most Valuable Player "Synthesizer" and MVP Emeritus, he was awarded a Grammy as a songwriter for Imagination from Flashdance in 1984...
- synthesizer - Ray Chew - keyboards
- Cissy HoustonCissy HoustonEmily "Cissy" Houston is a Grammy Award–winning American soul and gospel singer. She led a very successful career as a backup singer for such artists as Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Wishbone Ash and Aretha Franklin, and is now primarily a solo artist...
- vocals - Eric GaleEric GaleEric J. Gale was a leading American jazz and session guitarist.Born in Brooklyn, New York, Gale began playing guitar at the age of 12. Although he majored in chemistry at Niagara University, Gale was determined to pursue a musical career, and began contributing to accompaniments for such stars as...
- guitar - Steve Goldstein - synthesizer
- Lucio Hopper - bass
- Yogi Horton - drums
- Neil Jason - bass
- Bob KulickBob KulickBob Kulick is an American guitarist and Grammy Award-winning record producer, best known for his studio work with Kiss. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is the older brother of former Kiss lead guitarist Bruce Kulick, whom he suggested Kiss hire....
- guitar - Paulette McWilliams - vocals
- Rick MarottaRick MarottaRick Marotta is a US-based drummer and percussionist who appears on many recordings by leading artists such as Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Paul Simon, John Lennon, Hall & Oates, Stevie Nicks, Wynonna, Roy Orbison, Todd Rundgren, Roberta Flack, Peter Frampton, Quincy...
- drums - Daniel Miller - keyboards
- Jeff Mironov - guitar
- Jonathan Moffett - drums
- Julia Tillman Waters - vocals
- Greg Smith - synthesizer
- Ed Walsh - synthesizer
- Maxine Willard Waters - vocals
- David Williams - guitar
- Nathan WattsNathan WattsNathan Lamar Watts, born 1954 in Detroit, Michigan is an American session bass guitar player, best known for his work with Stevie Wonder from the 1970s to the present...
- bass