For the Working Girl
Encyclopedia
For the Working Girl is the title of the ninth album release by singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester
released by Arista Records
.
Recorded at Northstar Studios in Boulder, Colorado
in the summer of 1980, For the Working Girl reteamed Manchester with Steve Buckingham
producer of the singer's 1979 self-titled album release
; as with the Melissa Manchester album, the tracklisting of For the Working Girl balanced Manchester originals (totaling five) with outside material (totaling six).
Released in September 1980, For the Working Girl received heavy promotion emphasizing Manchester's new streamlined image, the album's cover photograph being taken by glamor shot specialist George Hurrell
. Also stressed in the album promotion was the album's title cut, Manchester's collaboration with Bernie Taupin
famed as regular lyricist for Elton John
during the first phase of the latter's career, "For the Working Girl" being touted as a feminist anthem
in the tradition of Helen Reddy
's "I Am Woman
". It was announced in November 1980 that Pistol Productions, owned by Taupin and Michael Lippman, would produce a feature film entitled Working Girl based on the title cut of Manchester's current album with the singer in a starring role. However Manchester's acting career would prove to be occasional with her only starring roles onstage, her onscreen feature film credit being a small role in For the Boys
(1991) as a backup singer to the lead character played by Bette Midler
(Manchester had begun her performing career as a member of Midler's Harlettes
backing group).
Despite the promo emphasis on the album's title cut, the choice for lead single fell to "If This Is Love" an easy listening
ballad which charted on Billboard
s A/C chart (#19) but failed to reach the Hot 100
stalling at #102. The album's second single release - in February 1981 - was "Lovers After All", a duet with Peabo Bryson
; the first A-side
release written by Manchester since the non-charting "Be Somebody" in early 1977. Written with Leon Ware
, "Lovers After All" reached three Billboard charts - the Hot 100 (at #54), R&B chart
(#35) and A/C (#25) without sufficient impact to be considered a comeback for Manchester. A third single: a remake of the 1972 #1 hit by Nilsson
: "Without You", failed to chart.
Without the impetus of a major hit single, For the Working Girl maintained Manchester as a moderate presence on the Billboard album chart peaking at #68.
The personnel on For the Working Girl includes the singer's father David Manchester on bassoon
.
Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Beginning in the 1970s, she has recorded generally in the adult contemporary genre. She has also appeared as an actress on television, in films, and on stage....
released by Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
.
Recorded at Northstar Studios in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
in the summer of 1980, For the Working Girl reteamed Manchester with Steve Buckingham
Steve Buckingham (record producer)
Steve Buckingham is an American record producer, and four-time Grammy winner with 27 number one singles to his credit. He has been awarded 11 Platinum and 19 Gold albums...
producer of the singer's 1979 self-titled album release
Melissa Manchester (album)
Melissa Manchester is the title of the eighth album release by singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester issued on Arista Records the first week of October 1979....
; as with the Melissa Manchester album, the tracklisting of For the Working Girl balanced Manchester originals (totaling five) with outside material (totaling six).
Released in September 1980, For the Working Girl received heavy promotion emphasizing Manchester's new streamlined image, the album's cover photograph being taken by glamor shot specialist George Hurrell
George Hurrell
George Hurrell was a photographer who made a significant contribution to the image of glamour presented by Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s.-Early life:...
. Also stressed in the album promotion was the album's title cut, Manchester's collaboration with Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
famed as regular lyricist for Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
during the first phase of the latter's career, "For the Working Girl" being touted as a feminist anthem
Anthem
The term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music , or more generally, a song of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".-Etymology:The word is derived from the Greek via Old English , a word...
in the tradition of Helen Reddy
Helen Reddy
Helen Reddy , often referred to as "The Queen of 70s Pop", is an Australian-American singer and actress. In the 1970s, she enjoyed international success, especially in the United States, where she placed fifteen singles in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Six of those 15 songs made the Top 10...
's "I Am Woman
I Am Woman
"I Am Woman" is a song cowritten by Helen Reddy and singer/songwriter/guitarist Ray Burton and performed by Reddy. Released in its most well-known version in 1970, the song became an enduring anthem for the women’s liberation movement.-Success:...
". It was announced in November 1980 that Pistol Productions, owned by Taupin and Michael Lippman, would produce a feature film entitled Working Girl based on the title cut of Manchester's current album with the singer in a starring role. However Manchester's acting career would prove to be occasional with her only starring roles onstage, her onscreen feature film credit being a small role in For the Boys
For the Boys
For the Boys is a 1991 film which tells the story of Dixie Leonard, a 1940s actress/singer who teams up with Eddie Sparks, a famous performer to entertain American troops. The film traces her life through 50 years. The original music score was composed by Dave Grusin.The film was adapted by...
(1991) as a backup singer to the lead character played by Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
(Manchester had begun her performing career as a member of Midler's Harlettes
Harlettes
The Harlettes, aka The Staggering Harlettes, is a trio of backup singers who support Bette Midler during her live musical performances. The Harlettes' line-up has changed many times since their inception.-History:...
backing group).
Despite the promo emphasis on the album's title cut, the choice for lead single fell to "If This Is Love" an easy listening
Easy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
ballad which charted 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...
s A/C chart (#19) but failed to reach the 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...
stalling at #102. The album's second single release - in February 1981 - was "Lovers After All", a duet with Peabo Bryson
Peabo Bryson
Peabo Bryson is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, born in Greenville, South Carolina...
; the first A-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
release written by Manchester since the non-charting "Be Somebody" in early 1977. Written with Leon Ware
Leon Ware
Leon Ware is a soul music singer, songwriter and producer. Best known for crafting the hit album, I Want You, originally recorded for Ware, until friend and Motown icon Marvin Gaye was assigned to the album in 1976...
, "Lovers After All" reached three Billboard charts - the Hot 100 (at #54), R&B chart
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,...
(#35) and A/C (#25) without sufficient impact to be considered a comeback for Manchester. A third single: a remake of the 1972 #1 hit by Nilsson
Harry Nilsson
Harry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
: "Without You", failed to chart.
Without the impetus of a major hit single, For the Working Girl maintained Manchester as a moderate presence on the Billboard album chart peaking at #68.
The personnel on For the Working Girl includes the singer's father David Manchester on bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
.
Track listing
- If This Is Love - 3:39
- Any Kind Of Fool - 3:07
- (For The) Working Girl - 4:13
- Without You - 3:26
- Boys In The Backroom - 3:35
- You And Me - 3:52
- Talk - 3:46
- A Fool's Affair - 3:41
- Lovers After All - 4:01
- Tears Of Joy - 3:55
- Happier Than I've Ever Been - 3:29