The Flirts are a project concept group formed by Bobby "O" Orlando, to front his performances as an artist, musician and songwriter. The group consisted of Orlando and featured a revolving roster of female session singers and models. Under The Flirts name, Orlando churned out hits "Passion", "Danger", "Helpless" and "Jukebox (Don't Put Another Dime)". While many of the girls were just models for the group, Andrea Del Conte, Rebecca Sullivan, Debra Gaynor, Tricia Wygal, and Christina Criscione used their real vocals. Today, the group features a relatively stable trio that performs at 80s music festivals and other venues mainly in the U.S. with some international appearances.
Concept and first chart success Orlando conceived the idea for the Flirts, wrote the songs, played the instruments, and produced the tracks. He then auditioned women to be the faces of the group. Orlando often called in the services of professional session singers to sing the female vocals for the tracks because most of the performers were trained as dancers, models or actresses. The Flirts went through numerous lineup changes, and with every album release and tour, some women left while others stayed. Orlando released six studio albums under The Flirts name from 1982 to 1992 and numerous singles.
"Jukebox" received significant airplay on MTV in 1982. The song rose to number 28 on the Billboard US Dance Chart. The follow-up single "Passion" peaked the same year at number 21 and became a huge success in Europe, reaching number 22 in the NetherlandsDutch Top 40 and number 4 in Germany.German charts
"Helpless (You Took My Love)" peaked at number 12 on the Billboard US Dance Chart, and reached number 13 on the German Top 75. Members of The Flirts performed in the German feature film .'Feel the Motion' on IMDb
In 1985, "You and Me", which Orlando co-wrote with influential hip hop producer Clifton "Jiggs" Chase, topped the US dance chart.US Chart Singles Discography
Discography Albums Studio albums Title Album detailsPeak chart positions SWE 10¢ a Dance Released: September 1982 Label: "O" Formats: LP, cassette tape38 Born to Flirt Released: 1983 Label: Ariola, Unidisc Formats: LP, cassette tape—Made in America Released: June 1984 Label: Telefon Formats: LP, cassette tape— Blondes Brunettes & Redheads Released: October 1985 Label: CBS Formats: LP, cassette tape— Questions of the Heart Released: October 1986 Label: CBS Formats: LP, cassette tape— Take a Chance on Me Released: 1992 Label: Vono Disc Formats: CD Switzerland-only release—"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Live albums Title Album details Flirt with the Flirts Released: 1983 Label: Rams Horn Formats: 2xLP Netherlands-only release Passion of Disco – The Remix Album Released: 14 November 2014 Label: Hargent New Media Formats: CD Hungary-only release
Compilation albums Title Album details The Best of the Flirts Released: September 1991 Label: "O" Formats: CD, 2xLP, cassette tape Greatest Hits Released: March 1994 Label: Unidisc Formats: CD Canada-only releasePhysical Attraction Released: 2001 Label: Trilogie Formats: 3xCD
Singles Title YearPeak chart positions US Dance BEL(FL) DEN GER NL SWI "Jukebox (Don't Put Another Dime)"198228—1——— "Passion"2136144234 "On the Beach"1983—————— "We Just Want to Dance"—————— "Calling All Boys"21——57—— "Danger"—————30 "Helpless (You Took My Love)"198412——13—15 "Telephone"—————— "Dancin' Madly Backwards"198547——46—— "Voulez Vous"—————— "You & Me"1————— "New Toy"19865————— "Miss You"15————— "All You Ever Think About Is (Sex)"—————— "A Thing Called Love"1988—————— "After School" (featuring Full Force)1989——————"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Featured tracks on compilations "Danger" - Disco Discharge: Pink Pounders (2010) "Passion" - Disco Discharge: Gay Disco & Hi-NRG (2009) "Passion" - Grand 12 Inches 4 (2007, Sony) "Helpless (You Took My Love)" - I Love Bobby O (2006) "Passion" - Back to Mine: Pet Shop Boys (2005) "Passion" - I Love Disco Energy (2003)
See also List of number-one dance hits (United States) List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
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