"Professional Widow" is a song written by the American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released on her third album, Boys for Pele (1996). It is a harpsichord-driven rock song and its lyrics are rumored to have been inspired by the American songwriter Courtney Love. The song was released on July 2, 1996 by Atlantic and EastWest, as the third single from the Boys for Pele album in the US, containing remixes by the house music producers Armand van Helden and MK. The single reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. In Italy, the original version peaked at number two in October 1996. An edited version of the Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' Mix of "Professional Widow" was originally released as a double A-side single with "Hey Jupiter" in Europe and Australia.
Stacey Lynn Swain, known by her stage name Stacey Q, is an American pop singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. Her best-known single, John Mitchell's "Two of Hearts", released in 1986, reached number one in Canada, number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten in five other countries.
"Spotlight" is a song by American singer Madonna from her first remix album You Can Dance (1987). It was released as a single in Japan on April 25, 1988 by Sire Records and Warner-Pioneer Japan. Initially rejected during her True Blue album recording sessions, the song was written by Madonna, Stephen Bray and Curtis Hudson who had presented the original to the singer. The song was remixed by John "Jellybean" Benitez.
"Real Love" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige from her debut studio album, What's the 411? (1992). Based on real life experiences, it was written and produced by Cory Rooney and Mark Morales, and samples Audio Two's 1987 song "Top Billin'". The song was issued as the album's second single on July 28, 1992 by Uptown and MCA. It became Blige's first top-10 hit, peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic charts and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 4, 1992. Marcus Raboy directed the song's music video. Rolling Stone included "Real Love" in their list of "500 Best Songs of All Time" in 2021 at number 327.
"Intuition" is a song by American singer Jewel from her fifth studio album, 0304 (2003). The song was written and produced by Jewel and Lester Mendez. It was released on April 7, 2003, as the album's lead single. Following the club success of "Serve the Ego", Jewel shifted to a more pop-oriented sound with the release of "Intuition". The song, which strays from her usual folk style with simple acoustic guitar instrumentation, starts off with a French accordion and then experiments with dance-oriented beats with subtle urban influences, using synthesizers. The song's lyrics contain a number of references to popular culture, including namechecking celebrities such as singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, model Kate Moss, actor Charlie Sheen, magazines, film culture, and commercialism.
"Two of Hearts" is a song by American singer Stacey Q, first issued as an independent 12-inch dance club single by On the Spot Records, then picked up by Atlantic after achieving regional sales. Written by John Mitchell, the song was Stacey Q's biggest hit; its global sales success fueled the recording of her debut album Better Than Heaven (1986), which included the song.
"We Connect" is a song recorded by American singer Stacey Q for her debut studio album Better Than Heaven (1986). Written by Willie Wilcox and produced by Jon St. James and Wilcox, the song was the follow-up to her hit single "Two of Hearts".
"Stand" is a song by American singer Jewel from her fifth studio album, 0304 (2003). Written and produced by Jewel and Lester Mendez, the song was released as the album's second single on September 2, 2003. "Stand" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, instead reaching number 16 on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart, while becoming Jewel's third consecutive number-one song on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Hard Machine is the second studio album by American singer Stacey Q, released in February 1988 by Atlantic Records. After the international success of her song "Two of Hearts" and debut album Better Than Heaven (1986), Swain began working on her sophomore record. She again collaborated with her bandmates from SSQ. Produced by Jon St. James, Hard Machine is a dance-pop album, which is influenced by new wave, contemporary R&B and rock music.
Better Than Heaven is the debut studio album by American singer Stacey Q, released on October 17, 1987 by Atlantic Records. Produced by Jon St. James, Better Than Heaven is predominantly a dance-pop album with elements of Hi-NRG, freestyle and new wave music. She collaborated with the same line-up of musicians with whom she had previously performed in the band SSQ. They later continued to work on her other solo albums, Hard Machine (1988) and Nights Like This (1989).
"Reminisce" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige from her debut album, What's the 411? (1992). It was co-written by Kenny Greene and Dave "Jam" Hall, who also produced it. Described as a new jack swing song inspired by 1970s soul music, it contains a sample of "Stop, Look, Listen" (1989) by American rapper MC Lyte. The single peaked at number fifty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A more uptempo and hip hop-inspired remix of the song, featuring duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth, later appeared on Blige's 1993 remix album of the same name.
Color Me Cinnamon is the fifth and final studio album by American singer Stacey Q, released on February 14, 2010 by Hydra Productions. It was her first release in thirteen years since her last album, Boomerang (1997). The work on the album started in 2008, after Shawn Winstian asked Jon St. James to remix a few singles for Hydra Productions’ compilation album, Liquid. An early version of the song "Trip" appeared on the compilation and Swain agreed to record a full-length album. Produced by Jon St. James, Color Me Cinnamon is a musical return to Stacey Q's synthpop and Hi-NRG roots but also features elements of techno-influenced eurodance and rock. Swain collaborated with St. James, Shawn Winstian and Shane Condo on writing the songs for the album.
"Give You All My Love" is a song by American singer Stacey Q. It was released on May 25, 1989 as the lead single from her third studio album, Nights Like This, in 1989 by Atlantic Records. Written by Stacey Swain and David Cole and produced by Cole and Robert Clivillés, "Give You All My Love" is primarily a dance-pop song. Two versions of the song were released, the album version that appears on Nights Like This and the Crossover house mix.
American singer Stacey Q has released five studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play, thirteen singles, four promotional singles, and six music videos. Born Stacey Swain, she first served as the lead singer of the band SSQ put together by producer Jon St. James.
"Just a Dream" is a song recorded by American singer Donna de Lory for her eponymous debut studio album (1992). It was released as the album's second single on March 9, 1993, by MCA Records. The song was written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard while composing the former's fourth studio album, Like a Prayer (1989). Since Madonna felt "Just a Dream" would not suit her discography, she gave it to de Lory for recording. After release, the song received mixed review from critics. "Just a Dream" debuted and peaked at number 71 on the UK Singles Chart and reached number ten on the US Dance Club Songs and number 17 on the Dance Singles Sales charts, respectively.
"Now You're in Heaven" is a song written by Julian Lennon and John McCurry, recorded by Lennon and released as the lead single from his third studio album, Mr. Jordan (1989), on which the song appears as the opening track. A David Bowie-inspired song, it was the highest-charting single released from the album, topping the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and reaching No. 5 in Australia. It was certified gold in the latter country by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments of over 35,000 units.
Nature of the Beast is the debut and sole studio album by American pop singer Maureen Steele, released in April 1985 by Motown. It was produced by Steve Barri and Steele's brother Bobby Sandstrom, the former of whom was the vice-president of A&R at Motown at that time, and oversaw big-selling releases by Lionel Richie and Rick James, among others. It is also notably one of the few albums by a white artist to have been released by the label at that time.
