A Woman Needs Love is an album by the American band Raydio, led by Ray Parker Jr., released in 1981 by Arista Records. It has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Critical reception
The Village Voices Robert Christgau wrote, "Playing guitar, synthesizer, piano, and drums as well as his home bass, which doesn't sound like a lead instrument either, he serves up eight tunes that bump and/or swoon into ear and/or ass with undeniable and virtually unrecallable effectiveness. I like every one, really. But don't ask me which is which--or why it matters." Andy Kellman of AllMusic, remarked that A Woman Needs Love "was the first time Parker got the front sleeve to himself—a signal that he had become the focal point, even though Raydio was his baby from the beginning... As usual, RPJ's likable, sly, and affable nature makes the lesser material go down easy."
Singles "The title track" peaked at No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart and No. 11 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart. Another single called "That Old Song" peaked at No. 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 26 on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and No. 7 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart. "Still in the Groove", a sequel to the previous album's "For Those Who Like to Groove" also peaked at No. 35 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
Track listing All songs written by Ray Parker Jr. "A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)" – 4:07 "It's Your Night" – 6:39 "That Old Song" – 4:25 "All In the Way You Get Down" – 3:55 "You Can't Fight What You Feel" – 5:48 "Old Pro" – 4:45 "Still In The Groove" – 6:21 "So Into You" – 4:29
Personnel Raydio Arnell Carmichael – vocals Ray Parker Jr. – vocals, synthesizers, pianos, guitars, bass, drums Larry Tolbert – drumsAdditional personnel Sylvester Rivers – pianos, synthesizers Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars Ollie E. Brown – drums, percussion Jack Ashford – tambourine Kenny Flood – flute Gene Page – string arrangements Harry Bluestone – concertmaster Jesse Erlich – cello Paula Hochhalter – cello Gareth Nuttycombe – viola David Schwartz – viola Henry Ferber – violin Marvin Limonick – violin Donald Palmer – violin Marshall Sosson – violin Robert Sushell – violin Darren Carmichael – backing vocals Sharon Jack – backing vocals Josie James – backing vocals Jerry Knight – backing vocals Cheryl Lynn – backing vocals J.D. Nicholas – backing vocals Deborah Thomas – backing vocalsProduction''' Ray Parker Jr. – producer, engineer, mixing Reginald Dozier – string engineer Al Ramirez – assistant string engineer Bernie Grundman – mastering at A&M Studios (Hollywood, California) Ria Lewerke-Shapiro – art direction Aaron Rapoport – photography
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1981) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1981) Position US Billboard 200 56
Singles Year Single Peak chart positions US USR&B USA/C USDan1981 "A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)" 4 1 11 — "Still in the Groove" — — — 35 "That Old Song" 21 26 7 — "It's Your Night" — 73 — —
See also List of Billboard number-one R&B albums of 1981
References
External links A Woman Needs Love'' at Discogs