How Could It Be

Last updated
How Could It Be
How It Could Be.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 1985 [1]
Recorded1985 [2]
StudioWonderland Studios, Joint Recording Studios, Soundworks Studios, Clinton Recording, Power Station
Length34:53
Label Columbia
Producer
Eddie Murphy chronology
Eddie Murphy: Comedian
(1983)
How Could It Be
(1985)
So Happy
(1989)
Singles from How Could It Be
  1. "Party All the Time"
    Released: September 23, 1985
  2. "How Could It Be"
    Released: 1985

How Could It Be is the debut musical studio album by comedian/actor Eddie Murphy, released in September 1985 [1] on Columbia Records. It was produced by Aquil Fudge, with the exception of the hit top ten single "Party All the Time", which was produced by Rick James.

Contents

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Robert Christgau (C-) [4]
New York Daily News (unfavorable) [5]
New York Daily News Star full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
The Cincinnati Post Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
The Cincinnati Enquirer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Detroit Free Press Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
The Boston Globe (unfavorable) [10]
The Gazette (favorable) [11]
The Buffalo News (unfavorable) [12]
The Commercial Appeal (favorable) [13]
Gannett News Service(unfavorable) [14]
The Honolulu Advertiser (unfavorable) [15]
The Canadian Press (unfavorable) [16]
Copley Press (favorable) [17]
Daily Press (favorable) [18]
The Morning Call (unfavorable) [19]
The Daily Oklahoman (favorable) [20]
Oakland Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [21]
Lexington Herald-Leader (unfavorable) [22]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [23]
The Toronto Star (unfavorable) [24]

The album was a commercial success, making it to No. 26 on the Billboard 200 and No. 17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Two singles were released: "Party All the Time", which made it to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the title track, which became a minor R&B hit. This studio album was recorded as part of fulfilling a $100,000 bet that Richard Pryor had made with Eddie Murphy that he could not sing.[ citation needed ] In the album's liner notes, Eddie Murphy wrote the following "To Richard Pryor, my idol, with whom I have a $100,000 bet. No, motherfucker, I didn't forget." [25]

In an interview in 1987, Murphy said: "My album could have been much better but it came out okay". [26]

Background

For this album, Murphy enlisted other well-known musicians to help him create his first musical studio album. The record has two Stevie Wonder produced and written tracks, "Do I" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses". There are also two songs that Rick James produced and wrote—the title track (a minor R&B hit) and the successful hit, "Party All the Time". [2]

Murphy wrote three tracks on the album in which he also gets sole writing credit for: "C-O-N Confused", a disco track, "I, Me, Us, We", a Parliament homage, and "My God Is Color Blind", an anti-racism song. Murphy took an experimental approach to test himself in what he could do with music. [2]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Do I" Stevie Wonder 3:56
2."C-O-N Confused"Murphy3:41
3."How Could It Be" (featuring Crystal Blake)Frank Hamilton, Rick James, Murphy4:39
4."I Wish (I Could Tell You When)"David Allen Jones, Murphy4:28
5."Party All the Time" (featuring Rick James)Rick James4:12
6."I, Me, Us, We"Murphy4:41
7."My God Is Color Blind"Murphy4:42
8."Everything's Coming Up Roses"Stevie Wonder4:34

Personnel

Technical

Charts

Chart (1985–86)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Top Current Albums [28] 26
U.S. Billboard 200 [29] 26
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums [30] 17
U.S. Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums [31] 25
U.S. Cash Box Top 75 Black Contemporary Albums [32] 23

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [33] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevie Wonder</span> American musician (born 1950)

Stevland Hardaway Morris, known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. One of the most acclaimed and influential musicians of the 20th century, he is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include R&B, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz. A virtual one-man band, Wonder's use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments during the 1970s reshaped the conventions of contemporary R&B. He also helped drive such genres into the album era, crafting his LPs as cohesive and consistent, in addition to socially conscious statements with complex compositions. Blind since shortly after his birth, Wonder was a child prodigy who signed with Motown's Tamla label at the age of 11, where he was given the professional name Little Stevie Wonder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick James</span> American musician (1948–2004)

James Ambrose Johnson Jr., better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, James began his musical career in his teenage years. He was in various bands before entering the U.S. Naval Reserve to avoid being drafted into the army. In 1964, James moved to Toronto, Canada, where he formed the rock band The Mynah Birds, who eventually signed a recording deal with Motown Records in 1966. James's career with the group halted after military authorities discovered his whereabouts and eventually convicted him of desertion related charges. He served several months in jail. After being released, James moved to California, where he started a variety of rock and funk groups in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

<i>Hotter than July</i> 1980 studio album by Stevie Wonder

Hotter than July is the nineteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on September 29, 1980, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. Wonder primarily recorded the album in Los Angeles, California, at Wonderland Studios, which he had recently acquired. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 1981. It was Wonder's most successful album in the UK, where it peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and produced four top-10 singles. Music videos were produced for the album's first, third, and fourth singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Girl (The Temptations song)</span> 1964 single by the Temptations

"My Girl" is a song recorded by the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) record label. Written and produced by the Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, it became the Temptations' first U.S. number 1 single, and is considered their signature song. Robinson's inspiration for writing "My Girl" was his wife, Miracles member Claudette Rogers Robinson. The song was included on the Temptations 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey. In 2017, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't Too Proud to Beg</span> 1966 single by the Temptations

"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" is a 1966 song and hit single by the Temptations for Motown Records' Gordy label, produced by Norman Whitfield and written by Whitfield and Edward Holland Jr. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Pop Chart, and was a number-one hit on the Billboard R&B charts for eight non-consecutive weeks. The song's success, in the wake of the relative underperformance of the previous Temptations' single, "Get Ready", resulted in Norman Whitfield replacing Smokey Robinson, producer of "Get Ready", as the Temptations' main producer. In 2004 it finished number 94 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs poll thanks to its inclusion in The Big Chill soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Party All the Time</span> 1985 single by Eddie Murphy

"Party All the Time" is a song by comedian and actor Eddie Murphy, written and produced by Rick James. It was the lead single from Murphy's 1985 debut musical album How Could It Be. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, behind "Say You, Say Me" by Lionel Richie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Just Called to Say I Love You</span> 1984 song by Stevie Wonder

"I Just Called to Say I Love You" is a ballad written, produced, and performed by American R&B singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder. It was a major international hit, and remains Wonder's best-selling single to date, reaching number one in 28 countries worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ebony and Ivory</span> 1982 single by Paul McCartney featuring Stevie Wonder

"Ebony and Ivory" is a song that was released in 1982 as a single by Paul McCartney featuring Stevie Wonder. It was issued on 29 March that year as the lead single from McCartney's third solo album, Tug of War (1982). Written by McCartney, the song aligns the black and white keys of a piano keyboard with the theme of racial harmony. The single reached number one on both the UK and the US charts and was among the top-selling singles of 1982 in the US. During the apartheid era, the South African Broadcasting Corporation banned the song after Wonder dedicated his 1984 Academy Award for Best Original Song to Nelson Mandela.

<i>La Toya Jackson</i> (album) 1980 studio album by La Toya Jackson

La Toya Jackson is the 1980 debut album from American singer-songwriter La Toya Jackson. It was released in America and mainland Europe. The album is most known for "Night Time Lover", a track produced by La Toya's brother Michael Jackson, who provides background vocals on the refrain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Cherie Amour (song)</span> 1969 single by Stevie Wonder

"My Cherie Amour" is a 1969 song by Motown singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. The song reached number 4 on the Billboard pop chart in August to be Wonder's eighth top ten hit. The song was co-written by Wonder, Sylvia Moy, and Henry Cosby; Cosby also served as producer of the song. At the end of 1969, the song was ranked number 32 for the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday</span> 1969 single by Stevie Wonder

"Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" is a 1969 soul song written by Ron Miller and Bryan Wells, released by American Motown singer-songwriter-musician Stevie Wonder on the album My Cherie Amour (1969). It peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 the weeks of December 13 and 20, 1969 and become Wonder's ninth Top 10 single of the 1960s. In November 1969, it reached number 2 on the UK singles chart, making it at that time, Wonder's biggest UK hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours</span> 1970 single by Stevie Wonder

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered " is a soul song, by American musician Stevie Wonder, released in June 1970 as a single on Motown's Tamla label. It spent six weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number three on the U.S. Pop chart. In the same year, the song was also released on the album Signed, Sealed & Delivered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master Blaster (Jammin')</span> 1980 single by Stevie Wonder

"Master Blaster (Jammin')" is a 1980 song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released as the lead single from his nineteenth studio album, Hotter than July (1980). It was a major hit, spending seven weeks at number one on the US Billboard R&B singles chart, reaching number five on Billboard's pop singles chart in the fall of 1980 and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart, and number one in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go Home (song)</span> 1985 single by Stevie Wonder

"Go Home" is a song by Stevie Wonder, released as the second single from his twentieth studio album, In Square Circle (1985). The song showcased the narrator's plea to a young woman to go home, though the girl tries to get the narrator to stay with her. In the US, the song peaked at #2 on the Billboard R&B chart and #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and, to date, is Wonder's last song to reach the US top ten on the Hot 100. "Go Home" also topped both the Billboard dance chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

<i>The Woman in Red</i> (soundtrack) 1984 soundtrack album by Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick

The Woman in Red: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the second soundtrack album released by American musician Stevie Wonder on the Motown label. Also featuring Dionne Warwick, the album was released in 1984 for the film of the same name. It features Wonder's biggest hit, "I Just Called to Say I Love You", which hit number one internationally and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and also features the follow-up hit, "Love Light in Flight" and "Don't Drive Drunk", the song and the accompanying music video for which were used in the Ad Council and the US Department of Transportation's Drunk Driving Prevention public service announcement the following year.

<i>In Square Circle</i> 1985 studio album by Stevie Wonder

In Square Circle is the twentieth studio album by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released in September 1985 on Tamla Records. In Square Circle spent 12 weeks at number one on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. The album also made the top five on the US Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 5 on the UK Pop Albums chart.

<i>Jungle Fever</i> (soundtrack) 1991 soundtrack album by Stevie Wonder

Jungle Fever is a soundtrack album by American R&B singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Stevie Wonder, recorded for the film Jungle Fever. It was released by the Motown label on May 28, 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do I Do</span> 1982 single by Stevie Wonder

"Do I Do" is a song written and performed by American singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder, first released in 1982 on the compilation album, Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I (1982). The single peaked at #2 on the US Billboard soul chart and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the Billboard dance chart, "Do I Do" reached number one for two weeks. Overseas, it reached #10 in the UK.

Motown Chartbusters is a series of compilation albums first released by EMI under licence on the Tamla Motown label in Britain. In total, 12 editions were released in the UK between 1967 and 1982. Volumes 1 and 2 were originally called British Motown Chartbusters; after this the title Motown Chartbusters was used.

<i>Lets Get Serious</i> (Jermaine Jackson album) 1980 studio album by Jermaine Jackson

Let's Get Serious is the sixth studio album by Jermaine Jackson, released in 1980. It reached #6 on the Billboard album chart and logged five weeks at No. 1 on the Top R&B chart. It achieved sales of 900,000 copies in the United States and it sold 2 million copies worldwide.

References

  1. 1 2 "New Releases" (PDF). Billboard . Billboard Publications, Inc. September 7, 1985. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Blest, Paul (2015-01-28). "Put a Boogie in Your Butt: A Look Back at the Musical Career of Eddie Murphy". Vice . Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  3. Flota, Brian. "How Could It Be – Eddie Murphy | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  4. "CG: Eddie Murphy". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  5. Wyatt, Hugh (September 27, 1985). "Can Eddie Murphy sing, too?". New York Daily News . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  6. Hinckley, David (October 6, 1985). "PLAY TIME". New York Daily News . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  7. Nager, Larry (September 28, 1985). "Prince's clones can't even hold his guitar". The Cincinnati Post . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  8. Radel, Cliff (October 3, 1985). "Good Music Makes Good Neighbors". The Cincinnati Enquirer .
  9. Graff, Gary (September 29, 1985). "Pop: Wonder's new album is worth the wait; Marshall Crenshaw's isn't". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  10. Morse, Steve (October 3, 1985). "RECORDS". The Boston Globe . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  11. Hogan, Dick (October 4, 1985). "'How Could It Be' a notable first singing effort for Eddie Murphy". The Gazette . Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  12. Allen, Carl (October 11, 1985). "RECORDS: SOUL". The Buffalo News . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  13. Dawson, Walter (October 11, 1985). "Big names add glitter for Yule". The Commercial Appeal . Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  14. Radel, Cliff (October 1985). "Murphy: a singer? How could it be?". Gannett News Service. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  15. Harada, Wayne (October 26, 1985). "Taylor-made for listenin'". The Honolulu Advertiser . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  16. Lawson, Michael (October 1985). "No laughing matter". Canadian Press . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  17. Welles, Robin (October 1985). "Record Reviews". Copley Press . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  18. Farr, Jory (November 3, 1985). "Diana Ross' new album wimpy; Eddie Murphy really can sing". Daily Press . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  19. Mule, Bill (November 9, 1985). "RECORDS". The Morning Call . Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  20. Davis, Chuck (November 10, 1985). "Recordings: Comedy". The Daily Oklahoman . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  21. Kelp, Larry (November 10, 1985). "Eddie Murphy strong as singer". Oakland Tribune . Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  22. Tunis, Walter (December 18, 1985). "Choices numerous when giving the sound of music". Lexington Herald-Leader .
  23. "STYLISH COPS, URGENT POP--A SHOPPER'S GUIDE TO THE TOP 40". Los Angeles Times . December 8, 1985. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  24. Quill, Gregg (October 18, 1985). "REVIEWS". The Toronto Star . Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  25. "Photographic image of record sleeve" (JPG). Img.discogs.com. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
  26. "Eddie Murphy Carson Tonight Show 1987". YouTube . 3 November 2018.
  27. "Bill Wolfer | Credits". AllMusic .
  28. "Top Current Albums". Billboard . Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  29. "Billboard 200". Billboard . Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  30. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard . Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  31. "Top 200 Pop Albums". Cash Box . New York City, New York, United States: Cash Box Publishing Co., Inc. December 28, 1985. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  32. "Top 75 Black Contemporary Albums" (PDF). Cash Box . New York City, New York, United States: Cash Box Publishing Co., Inc. December 28, 1985. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  33. "American album certifications – Eddie Murphy – How Could It Be". Recording Industry Association of America.