Modern Woman

Last updated
"Modern Woman"
Modern Woman.jpg
Single by Billy Joel
from the album The Bridge
B-side "Sleeping with the Television On"
Released1986
Length3:48
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Billy Joel
Producer(s) Phil Ramone
Billy Joel singles chronology
"The Night Is Still Young"
(1985)
"Modern Woman"
(1986)
"A Matter of Trust"
(1986)

"Modern Woman" is a song performed by Billy Joel from his album The Bridge . It was the album's lead-off single and was featured on the soundtrack to the film Ruthless People . In the film, the song removes an instrumental break present in the original. It was a Top 10 hit on Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1986.

Contents

Reception

Cash Box called it "a chugging, instantly appealing cut". [1] Billboard said: "phrases turn with top hat-and-tails flair, rhythm track barrels along like the last of the steam powered trains". [2]

Personnel

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart (1986)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [3] 21
Canada Top Singles (RPM) [4] 27
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [5] 28
US Billboard Hot 100 [6] 10
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [7] 7
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [8] 34

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel song)</span> 1977 single by Billy Joel

"Just the Way You Are" is a song by Billy Joel from his fifth studio album The Stranger (1977), released as the album's second single in early November 1977. It became both Joel's first US Top 10 and UK Top 20 single, as well as Joel's first Gold single in the US. The song also topped the Billboard Easy Listening Chart for the entire month of January 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda (Boston song)</span> 1986 single by Boston

"Amanda" is a power ballad by American rock band Boston written by Tom Scholz. The song was released as the first single from the band's third album, Third Stage, in 1986, six years after it was recorded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're Only Human (Second Wind)</span> 1985 single by Billy Joel

"You're Only Human (Second Wind)" is a song written and performed by Billy Joel that originally appeared on Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II in 1985. The song deals with teenage depression and suicide. It became a top-ten hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Since I Don't Have You</span> 1958 song by the Skyliners

"Since I Don't Have You" is a song written and composed by Jackie Taylor, James Beaumont, Janet Vogel, Joseph Rock, Joe Verscharen, Lennie Martin, and Wally Lester. It was first a 1958 hit single for the doo-wop group the Skyliners on the Billboard Hot 100. Country music singer Ronnie Milsap had a hit with the song in 1991. American hard rock band Guns N' Roses also had some success in 1994 with their version of the song which reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hard Luck Woman</span> 1976 single by Kiss

"Hard Luck Woman" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss and the lead single from their 1976 album, Rock and Roll Over. It was originally written by Paul Stanley as a possible track for Rod Stewart, but after the success of the soft rock ballad "Beth", Kiss decided to keep it for themselves as a follow-up. Stanley has stated his admiration and love of Stewart's music numerous times, and that "Hard Luck Woman" was inspired by Rod Stewart, in particular the songs "Maggie May" and "You Wear It Well". While Stewart's music served as a partial inspiration for the song, the nautical themed song "Brandy" by American pop-rock band Looking Glass served as Stanley's main inspiration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You Love Me</span> 1962 single by the Contours

"Do You Love Me" is a rhythm and blues song recorded by the Contours in 1962. Written and produced by Motown Records owner Berry Gordy Jr., it appeared twice on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching numbers three in 1962 and eleven in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Life (Billy Joel song)</span> 1978 single by Billy Joel

"My Life" is a song by Billy Joel that first appeared on his 1978 album 52nd Street. A single version was released in the fall of 1978 and reached No. 2 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart. Early the next year, it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woman in Love</span> 1980 single by Barbra Streisand

"Woman in Love" is a song performed by Barbra Streisand and taken from her 1980 album Guilty. The song was written by Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, who received the 1980 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. It is her fourth of four Platinum records, and is considered her greatest international hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never (Heart song)</span> 1985 single by Heart

"Never" is a song by American rock band Heart, released on August 29, 1985, as the second single from the band's eponymous eighth studio album (1985). It was written by Holly Knight, Gene Bloch and "Connie".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">These Dreams</span> 1986 single by Heart

"These Dreams" is a song by American rock band Heart from their 1985 self-titled eighth studio album Heart. It was released on January 18, 1986, as the album's third single, becoming the band's first song to top the Billboard Hot 100. The single's B-side track "Shell Shock", was also the B-side of Heart's previous single "Never".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love the One You're With</span> 1970 single by Stephen Stills

"Love the One You're With" is a song by American folk rock musician Stephen Stills. It was released as the lead single from his debut self-titled studio album in November 1970. The song, inspired by a remark Stills heard from musician Billy Preston, became his biggest hit single, peaking at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1971. David Crosby and Graham Nash, Stills's fellow members of Crosby, Stills & Nash, provide background vocals on the song. Also providing the backups are Rita Coolidge, her sister Priscilla Jones, and John Sebastian. They all sing the "Do Dos" that come before the instrumental portion and the outro. The song was also recorded by the Isley Brothers, The Meters, Bucks Fizz, Luther Vandross, Bob Seger and Richard Clapton, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glory of Love</span> 1986 single by Peter Cetera

"Glory of Love" is a 1986 song performed by Peter Cetera, which he wrote and composed with his then-wife Diane Nini and David Foster. The song was recorded by Cetera shortly after he left the band Chicago to pursue a solo career. Featured in the film The Karate Kid Part II (1986), it was Cetera's first hit single after he left the band, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was included on his album Solitude/Solitaire (1986), which Michael Omartian produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sara (Starship song)</span> 1985 single by Starship

"Sara" is a song recorded by the American rock band Starship which reached number-one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart on March 15, 1986. It was sung by Mickey Thomas, of the newly renamed band Starship, from their first album Knee Deep in the Hoopla, and Grace Slick provided the backing vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Joel discography</span>

This is the discography of American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. He has released 13 studio albums, seven live albums, 18 compilation albums, 10 video albums, 82 singles, three promotional singles and 45 music videos. Throughout his career, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in history. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Joel has sold 85 million certified albums in the United States, making him the 4th best-selling solo artist of all time. Billboard ranked him as the 9th Greatest male soloist of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)</span> 1986 single by Billy Ocean

"There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" is a song by English singer Billy Ocean from his sixth studio album, Love Zone (1986). The song was written and produced by Wayne Brathwaite and Barry Eastmond; Ocean was also credited as a co-writer for the song. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week beginning 5 July 1986, where it remained for one week, becoming the 600th different song to ascend to that position. It also topped the adult contemporary and R&B charts in the United States that same summer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Ask Me Why (Billy Joel song)</span> 1980 single by Billy Joel

"Don't Ask Me Why" is a 1980 song by Billy Joel released as the third single from the album Glass Houses. The song spent two weeks at number one on the Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Will I Be Loved (song)</span> 1960 single by the Everly Brothers

"When Will I Be Loved" is a popular song written by Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers, who had a US top-ten hit with it in 1960. Linda Ronstadt covered the song in 1975, and her version was an even bigger hit in the US, peaking at No. 2. Vince Gill also covered it in 1994 on the soundtrack of the film 8 Seconds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suddenly (Billy Ocean song)</span> 1985 song by Billy Ocean

"Suddenly" is a song from 1985 co-written and performed by UK-based singer Billy Ocean. Co-written and produced by Keith Diamond, it is the title track to Ocean's 1984 breakthrough album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Matter of Trust</span> 1986 single by Billy Joel

"A Matter of Trust" is a song by Billy Joel from his 1986 album The Bridge. It was released as the album's second single and became a top ten hit. The song gained major traction in the Soviet Union as part of a state-sponsored television promotion of Joel's songs in preparation for his 1987 USSR concerts, recorded on Kontsert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight She Comes</span> 1985 single by the Cars

"Tonight She Comes" is a 1985 song by American rock band the Cars from their Greatest Hits album. It was released as a single in October 1985, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1986. The song reached number one on the Top Rock Tracks chart, where it stayed for three weeks.

References

  1. "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. June 7, 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  2. "Reviews". Billboard. June 7, 1986. p. 85. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 156. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  4. "RPM 100 Singles". RPM . Vol. 44, no. 21. 1986-08-16. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2011-07-02 via Library and Archives Canada.
  5. "Billy Joel – Modern Woman". Top 40 Singles.
  6. "Billy Joel Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  7. "Billy Joel Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  8. "Billy Joel Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.