Suddenly is the fifth studio album by British singer Billy Ocean, released on 12 September 1984 by Jive Records. It featured his first major US pop hit single "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to that, his biggest success on the US charts had been a number-22 placing for "Love Really Hurts Without You" in 1976, which was one of a number of UK hits he had achieved by the release of this album. Despite these earlier hits, Suddenly became Ocean's first charting album in the United Kingdom, reaching number nine on the UK Album Chart. It also reached number nine in the US, and spawned two additional US top-five singles in the title track and "Loverboy", while a fourth single, "Mystery Lady", reached the US top 40. "Caribbean Queen" and "Suddenly" also reached the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart.
Track listing All songs written by Keith Diamond and Billy Ocean, except where noted.
2011 expanded edition
Note On the European release, the first track was "European Queen (No More Love on the Run)" (4:50), replacing "Caribbean Queen". On the UK Jive release (HIP 12), the track length was given (and measured) as 7:52 and titled "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)".
Personnel
Musicians Billy Ocean – lead vocals, backing vocals, Simmons drums, LinnDrum Barry J. Eastmond – keyboards, synthesizers, string arrangements Pete Q. Harris – Fairlight programming J.J. Jeczalik – Fairlight programming Clarence "Binky" Brice – guitars Vic Linton – guitars Eddie Martinez – guitars Geoff Whitehorn – guitars Timmy Allen – bass guitar Keith Diamond – synth bass, Simmons drums, LinnDrum, backing vocals Terry Silverlight – drums (4, 9) Tony Maronie – percussion V. Jeffrey Smith – saxophones Chrissy Faith – backing vocals Lisa Fischer – backing vocals Katie Kissoon – backing vocals Curtis King – backing vocals Stevie Lange – backing vocals Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals Meekaeel Muhammad – backing vocals
Production Robert John "Mutt" Lange – executive producer (5) Keith Diamond – producer, mixing Steve Goldman – engineer Bryan "Chuck" New – engineer, mixing Peter Robbins – engineer Jon Hallett – studio assistant Amy Ziffer – studio assistant Donn Davenport – art direction Linda Fennimore – cover illustration Michael Hoppen – photography Laurie Jay – management
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Suddenly Chart (1984–1985) Peakposition Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 13 European Albums (Eurotipsheet) 50 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) 10
Year-end charts + 1984 year-end chart performance for Suddenly Chart (1984) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 39
+ 1985 year-end chart performance for Suddenly Chart (1985) Position Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 38 Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM) 46 UK Albums (Gallup) 66 US Billboard 200 8 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 7
Certifications
References
Bibliography