Eddie Murphy (album)

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Eddie Murphy
Eddiemurphyalbum.jpg
Live album by
ReleasedNovember 6, 1982
RecordedApril 30–May 1, 1982
Venue The Comic Strip, New York City, New York
Genre Stand-up comedy
Comedy rap
Length48:20
Label Columbia Records
Producer Eddie Murphy, Robert Wachs, David Wolfert
Eddie Murphy chronology
Eddie Murphy
(1982)
Eddie Murphy: Comedian
(1983)

Eddie Murphy is the debut solo album by Eddie Murphy. It was released on November 6, 1982, on Columbia Records. It was certified as a Gold record and received a Grammy Award nomination. [1] The album drew ire from the gay community, Asian-American groups and women's groups for some of the humor. [2]

Contents

In terms of material, the release draws upon Murphy's work on the program Saturday Night Live . The recording took place from April 30, 1982 to May 1, 1982, capturing some of Murphy's routines at the New York City venue The Comic Strip. [3] In addition to the comedy tracks, the album contained two songs, including the parody hip-hop song "Boogie in Your Butt", which became a minor hit on the R&B charts. [4]

Professional ratings
Review scores
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Critical reception

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, critic Bret Adams wrote, "Despite Murphy's gifts, his first standup comedy album, 1982's Eddie Murphy, is uneven despite containing some classic routines." [3] In The Boston Phoenix , Joyce Millman said that "Judging from the angry-young-black routines on his album, [Murphy] seems to feel that silliness isn’t enough. And these bits fall flat because he sounds uncomfortably like a Richard Pryor impersonator, funkying up his articulate, nice-boy voice." [5]

Track listing

All tracks by Eddie Murphy, except where noted.

  1. "Faggots" – 2:08
  2. "Buckwheat" – 1:57
  3. "Black Movie Theaters" – 2:33
  4. "Talking Cars" – 0:59
  5. "Doo-Doo/Christmas Gifts" – 6:44
  6. "Myths/A Little Chinese" – 7:59
  7. "Boogie in Your Butt" (Murphy, Wolfert) – 4:11
  8. "Drinking Fathers" – 4:05
  9. "Effrom" – 1:58
  10. "The Pope and Ronald Reagan" – 4:39
  11. "Hit by a Car" – 6:50
  12. "Enough Is Enough" (Jabara, Roberts) – 4:17

Production

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [6] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. Smith, Jessie Carney (2006). Encyclopedia of African American Business. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 549. ISBN   978-0-313-33111-4.
  2. Bogdanov, Vladimir (2003). All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul. Backbeat Books. p. 486. ISBN   978-0-87930-744-8.
  3. 1 2 "Eddie Murphy - Eddie Murphy | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  4. Blest, Paul (January 28, 2015). "Put a Boogie in Your Butt: A Look Back at the Musical Career of Eddie Murphy". Vice. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  5. Millman, Joyce (September 28, 1982). "Murphy's law". The Boston Phoenix. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  6. "American album certifications – Eddie Murphy – Eddie Murphy". Recording Industry Association of America.