Winner in You
Encyclopedia
Winner in You is the eight studio album
by American R&B singer Patti LaBelle
, released April 28, 1986, on MCA Records
. Recording sessions took place during 1984–1985. Production was handled by LaBelle and several other record producers, including Burt Bacharach
, Carole Bayer Sager
, Neil Diamond
, Nickolas Ashford
, among others.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200
chart, as well as producing the US number-one hit single "Own My Own". It was LaBelle's only album to chart outside of the United States, charting in the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden
, and the United Kingdom
. Upon its release, Winner in You received moderate reviews from music critics. The album has been certified platinum
by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA).
. It peaked number one of the Billboard Hot 100
as well as the Billboard charts Hot R&B Songs and Adult Contemporary Songs. It also charted internationally, peaking number two in the UK Singles Chart
, number one on the Canadian Singles Chart
, number one in the Dutch Singles Chart, number four in the New Zealand Singles Chart, number fifteen in the Swedish Singles Chart, and number twenty in the Austrian Singles Chart.
The second single to be released was "Oh, People
". It peaked number twenyty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
. It was the second consecutive single to chart internationally, peaking thirty-one on the Dutch Singles Chart, and number thirty-six on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The third single to be released was "Kiss Away the Pain
". It was not successful as the two prior singles, only charting number thirteen on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
. The final single to be released was "Something Special (Is Gonna Happen Tonight)". It only charted number thirteen on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles.
. The album also entered at number thirty-one on Billboard
R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It spent 29 weeks on the Billboard 200 and spent 33 weeks on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. On June 27, 1986, Winner in You was certified platinum
by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA), for shipments of one million copies in the US. Winner in You attained respectable international charting. In the Netherlands, it entered at number twenty-eight on the Mega Album Top 100. In New Zealand, it entered at number ten on the Top 40 Albums. In Sweden, it entered at number seventeen on the Albums Top 60. In the United Kingdom, it entered at number thirty-four and peaked at number 30 on the UK Albums Chart
.
Top 40. Robert Christgau gave the album a B, praising the duet with Michael McDonald
as well as LaBelle's singing abilities. Christgau also compliments her and her family's songwriting abilities. He believes this is how LaBelle became a multi-platinum solo artist. He appreciates the song with Michael McDonald
. Christgau did not like the earlier part of the album, claiming she "doesn't start out with such surefire goods". Overall, he says the "beats and tunes kick in till you could care less what organ she's singing through." Kim Farber of Billboard gave the album a mixed review, claiming its inconsistency. He believes album was not a "hands-down winner so many anticipated," saying how none of the fast tracks have a "jump." Ferber, although, praises her singing ability and says that is the only thing that saved the album. He enjoyed the ballad
s were well-written. He enjoys the song "On My Own", saying the song is "something real" and enjoys the song "Oh, People" even more.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American R&B singer Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
, released April 28, 1986, on MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. Recording sessions took place during 1984–1985. Production was handled by LaBelle and several other record producers, including Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Carole Bayer Sager
Carole Bayer Sager
Carole Bayer Sager is an American lyricist, songwriter, singer, and painter.-Introduction:Born in New York City, Sager graduated from New York University, where she majored in English, dramatic arts and speech...
, Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond
Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
, Nickolas Ashford
Ashford & Simpson
Nickolas Ashford , and Valerie Simpson , were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists....
, among others.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart, as well as producing the US number-one hit single "Own My Own". It was LaBelle's only album to chart outside of the United States, charting in the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden
Sverigetopplistan
Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association ....
, and the United Kingdom
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. Upon its release, Winner in You received moderate reviews from music critics. The album has been certified platinum
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
(RIAA).
Singles
The first single to be released off of Winner in You was "On My Own", featuring Michael McDonaldMichael McDonald
Michael McDonald may refer to:*Michael McDonald , American "blue-eyed soul" singer*Michael McDonald , American actor-comedian*Michael McDonald , Jamaican runner...
. It peaked number one of 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...
as well as the Billboard charts Hot R&B Songs and Adult Contemporary Songs. It also charted internationally, peaking number two 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 ...
, number one on the Canadian Singles Chart
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
, number one in the Dutch Singles Chart, number four in the New Zealand Singles Chart, number fifteen in the Swedish Singles Chart, and number twenty in the Austrian Singles Chart.
The second single to be released was "Oh, People
Oh, People
"Oh, People" is the second single from Winner in You, the eighth solo album of Patti LaBelle, released on June 30, 1986. The song is a socially conscious anthem with lyrics pleading to individuals to unite and "build the world we want together."...
". It peaked number twenyty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
. It was the second consecutive single to chart internationally, peaking thirty-one on the Dutch Singles Chart, and number thirty-six on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The third single to be released was "Kiss Away the Pain
Kiss Away the Pain
"Kiss Away the Pain" is a song by American R&B singer Patti LaBelle, featuring Jazz trumpeter George Howard. The track was produced by Ron Kersey, James Budd Ellison for LaBelle's studio album, Winner in You . The song was released sometime in 1986. It peaked number 13 on the Billboard Hot R&B...
". It was not successful as the two prior singles, only charting number thirteen on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
. The final single to be released was "Something Special (Is Gonna Happen Tonight)". It only charted number thirteen on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles.
Winner in You Tour
From 1986 to 1987, LaBelle held a tour in Europe to promote her album.Commercial performance
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. The album also entered at number thirty-one on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It spent 29 weeks on the Billboard 200 and spent 33 weeks on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. On June 27, 1986, Winner in You was certified platinum
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
(RIAA), for shipments of one million copies in the US. Winner in You attained respectable international charting. In the Netherlands, it entered at number twenty-eight on the Mega Album Top 100. In New Zealand, it entered at number ten on the Top 40 Albums. In Sweden, it entered at number seventeen on the Albums Top 60. In the United Kingdom, it entered at number thirty-four and peaked at number 30 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
.
Critical response
Winner in You received average reviews from critics. Ron Wynn on allmusic gave the album three out of five stars. Wynn claims this is the album that made LaBelle's solo career famous. He enjoys the songs "Oh, People" and "Kiss Away the Pain", which he believed needed to chart higher on the BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Top 40. Robert Christgau gave the album a B, praising the duet with Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald may refer to:*Michael McDonald , American "blue-eyed soul" singer*Michael McDonald , American actor-comedian*Michael McDonald , Jamaican runner...
as well as LaBelle's singing abilities. Christgau also compliments her and her family's songwriting abilities. He believes this is how LaBelle became a multi-platinum solo artist. He appreciates the song with Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald may refer to:*Michael McDonald , American "blue-eyed soul" singer*Michael McDonald , American actor-comedian*Michael McDonald , Jamaican runner...
. Christgau did not like the earlier part of the album, claiming she "doesn't start out with such surefire goods". Overall, he says the "beats and tunes kick in till you could care less what organ she's singing through." Kim Farber of Billboard gave the album a mixed review, claiming its inconsistency. He believes album was not a "hands-down winner so many anticipated," saying how none of the fast tracks have a "jump." Ferber, although, praises her singing ability and says that is the only thing that saved the album. He enjoyed the ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
s were well-written. He enjoys the song "On My Own", saying the song is "something real" and enjoys the song "Oh, People" even more.
Track listing
Musicians
- Marva Barnes – background vocals
- Carla Benson – background vocals
- Evette Benton – background vocals
- Alex Brown – vocal arrangement, background vocals
- Alfonso Carey – bass guitar
- Paulinho Da CostaPaulinho Da CostaPaulinho da Costa is a Brazilian percussionist born in Rio de Janeiro, considered one of the most recorded musicians of modern times. Playing over two hundred percussion instruments, he has participated in thousands of recording sessions, Grammy Award-winning albums, hit songs, soundtracks, radio...
– percussion - Nathan EastNathan EastNathan Harrell East is a jazz, R&B and rock bass player and vocalist. East holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of California, San Diego...
– bass - Charles Fearing – guitar
- Chuck FindleyChuck FindleyChuck Findley is an American session musician. Most widely-known as a trumpet player, he also plays other brass instruments such as flugelhorn and trombone...
– trumpet - James GadsonJames GadsonJames Gadson is an American drummer and session musician. Beginning his career in the late 1960s, Gadson has since become one of the most-recorded drummers in the history of R&B music....
– drums, percussion - Jim GilstrapJim GilstrapJim Gilstrap is an American singer best known for his work as a session musician and his 1975 solo hit single "Swing Your Daddy", as well as singing co-lead to the theme from the TV series Good Times.-Career:...
– background vocals - George Howard – saxophone
- Dann HuffDann HuffDann Huff is an American musician, session musician, singer-songwriter and producer. For his work as a producer in the Country music genre he has won several awards including the Musician of the Year award in 2001 and 2004 at the Country Music Association Awards and the Producer of the Year award...
– guitar - Barbara IngramBarbara IngramBarbara Jane Ingram was an American R&B singer-songwriter, who was active throughout the early 1970s until the mid-late 1980s, enjoying modest success a backup singer for almost two decades.-Career:...
– background vocals - John Ingram – drums
- Clydene Jackson – background vocals
- Lequeint Jobe – bass
- Michael LandauMichael LandauMichael Landau is a prolific session musician and guitarist who has played on a large number of albums since the early 1980s with artists as varied as Seal, James Taylor, Helen Watson, Richard Marx, Steve Perry, Pink Floyd and Miles Davis...
– guitar - Julie Last – assistant engineer
- Mendy Lee – background vocals
- Charles Loper – trombone
- Harvey Mason, Sr. – percussion
- Leo NocentelliLeo NocentelliLeo Nocentelli in New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the founding members of the New Orleans funk band, The Meters. He has been credited for popular funk songs such as "Cissy Strut", "People Say" and "Hey Pocky Way"...
– guitar, electric guitar - Chris Parker – drums
- Sam Peake – saxophone
- Terral "Terry" Santiel – percussion
- Herb Smith – guitar
- Neil StubenhausNeil StubenhausNeil Stubenhaus is an American bass guitarist.-Career:He started his musical training playing drums and switched to bass guitar at the age of 12. He studied at the Berklee College of Music where he graduated in 1975...
– bass - Julia Tillman – background vocals
- Carlos Vega – drums
- David T. WalkerDavid T. WalkerDavid T. Walker is an American guitarist born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to numerous session musician duties since the early 1970s, Walker has issued over twelve albums in his own name.-Career:...
– guitar - Freddie "Ready Freddie" WashingtonFreddie Washington (bassist)"Ready" Freddie Washington is an American session bassist who has played with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson, Al Jarreau, Aaron Neville, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, B.B...
– bass - Julia Waters – background vocals
- Oren Waters – background vocals
- Maxine Willard Waters – background vocals
- Larry Williams – saxophone
Production
- Jeff Adamoff – art direction
- John Arrias – engineer
- Nickolas Ashford – arranger, producer
- Burt BacharachBurt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
– arranger, piano, producer - Robert Biles – engineering, mixing
- John Bogosian – engineer
- Michael Brooks – engineer
- William Bryant – DX-7, Oberheim OB8
- Robbie BuchananRobbie BuchananRobbie Buchanan is a Canadian keyboardist, songwriter, arranger, and producer.Buchanan began playing the piano at the age of 6. He acquired his first paying gig as a pianist at the age of 12 playing 6 nights a week in Dawson City, Yukon Territory. While still a teenager, Buchanan joined a band...
– keyboard synthesizer, synthesizer - Tim Cox – engineer
- Frank DeCaro – production coordination
- Ian Eales – engineer
- James R. Budd Ellison – arranger, director, musical director, producer, production supervisor
- Kirk Ferraioli – engineer, remixing
- Ann Field – illustrations
- David FosterDavid FosterDavid Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
– synthesizer - Paul Fox – keyboard synthesizer, synthesizer
- Steve George – associate producer, synthesizer
- Andy Goldmark – associate producer, drum programming, piano, synthesizer
- Mick Guzauski – engineer
- Jerry HeyJerry HeyJerry Hey is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, horn arranger, string arranger, orchestrator and session musician who has played on hundreds of commercial recordings, including Thriller and the distinctive flugelhorn solo on Dan Fogelberg's hit Longer....
– horn arrangements, trumpet - Glen Holguin – assistant engineer, engineer
- Michael Hutchinson – mixing
- Nick Johnson – arranger, DX-7, mixing, piano, producer, background vocals
- Joseph Joubert – arranger, keyboards
- Randy Kerber – DX-7
- Ron Kersey – arranger, CS-80, DX-7, mixing, piano, producer
- Patti LaBelle – executive producer, stylist, vocals, background vocals
- Bill LaBounty – associate producer, drum programming, synthesizer
- Stephen Marcussen – mastering
- Pat MastelottoPat MastelottoPat Mastelotto is a rock drummer who has worked with Mr. Mister and King Crimson, amongst others. For King Crimson he initially formed part of the "double trio" lineup, joining Bill Bruford on drums...
– drum programming - Michael McDonaldMichael McDonald (singer)Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan...
– vocal harmony - Steve Mitchell – synthesizer
- Joel Moss – engineer
- Taavi Mote – engineer, mixing, remixing
- Richard Page – associate producer
- Thom PanunzioThom PanunzioThom Panunzio grew up in River Edge, New Jersey not too far from Manhattan. He began his career as an audio engineer originally working at Record Plant Studios in New York. There he met, Jimmy Iovine, and started his career working with John Lennon...
– engineer - Richard PerryRichard PerryRichard Perry is an American music producer. Perry began as a performer in his adolescence, but shifted gears after graduating college and rose through the late 1960s and early 1970s to become a highly successful and popular record producer with over a dozen gold records to his credit by 1982...
– producer - Jerry Peters – horn arrangements, string arrangements
- Greg PhillinganesGreg PhillinganesGreg Phillinganes is an active session keyboardist in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of Cass Technical High School, Detroit Michigan....
– DX-7
- Marc Raboy – photography
- Howie Rice – drum fills, drum programming, guitar, keyboards, multi instruments, producer, synthesizer
- Bruce Roberts – associate producer, drum programming, synthesizer
- Bradford Rosenberger – production coordination
- Carole Bayer SagerCarole Bayer SagerCarole Bayer Sager is an American lyricist, songwriter, singer, and painter.-Introduction:Born in New York City, Sager graduated from New York University, where she majored in English, dramatic arts and speech...
– arranger, producer - Bill Schnee – engineer, remixing
- Louis Silas, Jr. – remixing
- Valerie Simpson – arranger, producer
- Don Smith – engineer, remixing
- Dennis Stefani – assistant engineer, engineer
- Hill Swimmer – engineer
- Charles Veal – concert master
- Norman Whitfield, Jr. – engineer, remixing
- Nathanial Wilkie – assistant musical director, keyboards
Chart positions
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands (Mega Album Top 100) | 28 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... ) |
10 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... ) |
17 |
| UK Albums (The Official Charts Company UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... ) |
30 |
| US Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
1 |