Private Dancer
Tina Turner
1984
Album Summary
Private Dancer is the fifth solo studio album by Tina Turner. It was released on May 29, 1984, through Capitol Records and was her first album released through the label. After several challenging years of going solo after divorcing Ike Turner, Private Dancer propelled Turner into becoming a viable solo star, as well as one of the most marketable crossover singers in the recording industry. It became a worldwide commercial success, earning multi-platinum certifications, and remains her best-selling album in North America to date. In 2020, the album was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
WikipediaThe musical instruments on this album are meaningless background noise. Tina’s voice is the main instrument and oh man is it powerful. Unfortunately the album is more than just her voice.
An interesting and cool album. I’m not sure how much Tina Turner you’re supposed to consume at one time, but by the end of it I was feeling overwhelmed. Very aggressive. I can’t stand the rain is phenomenal.
Okay, Aunty Entity. Aunty Entity, okay. This record is painfully 80s. It's so 80s, it goes to work with a Lisa Frank trapper keeper tucked under its arm. It's a plastic imitation of real music with a rough coat of paint slapped over top to give it the impression of edginess. Not good.
Love Anna Mae Bullock. Feisty, exciting, unique voice. Such energy and passion. Reminded me of the days when I could really dance the night away! Only wish I had had the chance to see her live back then. Her version of Help very evocative what it feels like to be getting older. Nice bit of sax too.
"WHO RUNS BARTERTOWN!?" TINA FUCKIN' TURNER, that's who! –– | –– I was dreading this album when I saw it come in last night. The '80s have a special place in my trashcan. I was relieved, however that the saxophone didn't make an entrance until track five—'Private Dancer' which I immediately hated. However, I think that if you can remove that wretched instrument from this song, you can find the beauty in the juxtaposition of Tina's strong, survive-at-all-costs voice singing those lyrics. A quick note on the saxophone. Byrd, Coletrane and James Bond– theyr're all great ... In the late '90's and early 2000's there was this belief that any crappy movie could be made better if only Sean Connery was in it. Studios figured this out and it worked for a bit until audiences eventually realized that Sean Connery equals suckfest, making him redundant and leaving us with movies like LXG. In the '80's the same thing happened with the saxophone. Anyway, Tina - an empirical 'YES!' The music backing up Tina... that's a harder sell. The flat drum machines, the stiff-lo-tech-robot percussion and errant guitar strum sprinkled through tracks is pure Connery. Is it possible to remix this without all that 80's baggage? If so, I'm on board. Just do me one favor and keep 'I Can't Stand the Rain.' Somehow, in ways I can't explain, this song just works as-is.
Great album overall. Some songs seem to blend together, but the standouts are great songs with so much replay value. The pop and rock genre are perfectly molded with Turner's vocals, creating a fresh and sweet sound that is sonically pleasing. The change of sound from her past songs is welcomed and at some points in the album, invited. Her raspy vocals still provide a strong and seamless album that is enjoyable to listen to.
An incredilbe voice with identity and power... cruelly unwind by that horrible 80's production... the title song sucks and that guitar on steel claw sounds like a chihuahua in distress.
It’s fine. Private Dancer and What’s Love Got To Do With It are the best songs. Tina’s voice is amazing, but the sound/music doesn’t really seem to age well.
I love Tina Turner. Love her. I own many Tina Turner records. But it's the r'n'b and funk output of the 60s and 70s that really do it for me. I do not in any way begrudge her the massive success she found in the 80s as a solo artist. She wanted to make it as big as Bowie and the Stones, and she did. Because she is awesome. She really wrote the book on female rock performance, and is is one of the rock and roll greats of any gender. Full stop. And this is the album that really did it for her, pushing her into success in a way she never had before. But... what is required for mainstream success buffs off many of the edges that made her a really compelling force of nature. Many reviews refer to the slick production (Which it sure is, and terribly 80s, and not all of it has dated well) and her raspy voice. But I am familiar with her earlier material, and the rasp is downplayed quite a lot. She never really tears it up (although she gets closer on some of the b-sides). Seven hit singles from one album is a pretty amazing strike-rate, and she makes some otherwise middle-of-the-road material compelling. I love you, Tina, and I play your records all the time. Just not this one. (As a side note, I am getting a bit tired of 1001 albums throwing out albums because they are the commercial breakthrough, or big selling (particularly in the UK), but not necessarily the albums that was influential, ground-breaking or representative of what that artist really had to offer. This is a good case in point.)
I love her raw raspy voice and I'm curious how she would sound singing other genres or more contemporary music. I like her version of Al Greene's "Let's Stay Together" - such a great song; I could still do without the cheesy synthesizer sounds. It's hard to get past some of these 80's synthesizer and keyboard sounds - they make me start dancing really weird and jerky, and I feel cheesiness. However, I do love some 80's songs, like by The Cure or The Smiths, so sometimes I like those sounds. Maybe it's nostalgic? I didn't know that Missy Elliot had sampled her song, "I can't stand the rain" - that's such a good line/tune. Ooh we got some elevator music now. And "1984" sounds like it's from a musical and it's kinda chaotic - nope, don't like it.
A fantastic pop album that stands to this day with career defining songs from her well known comeback.
9/10. A couple of really good songs, and some other pretty good ones. My one complaint is that I really would have like "I Can't Stand the Rain" way more were it not for the weird sounds that reminded me of the Ghostbusters theme and really killed the mood.
I've heard the big hits, but never sit down and listened to Tina Turner. Not sure what to expect at all. Holy cow, this is good. Her voice is great and the songs allow her to showcase a full range of emotional power. The music is brashly 1980s with schmaltzy sax and synth. But it works really well, and the whole album rocks out, with little touches of funk, soul, R&B, etc. Even the cover songs (Beatles, Al Green, David Bowie) cohere with the album as a whole. 5/5, glad I gave this a chance!
I forgot how much I like Tina’s voice. I wouldn’t skip any song on this album with the exception of 1984, which just made me laugh with how 80s it was (so maybe I wouldn’t skip that one either).
This album is pure energy in your ears for an all too short 50 minutes. Turner brings everything to a series of upbeat jams that are absolutely electric. Powerhouse ballad after powerhouse ballad. Her cover of Bowie's 1984 might... even... be better than Bowie's? That might be sacrilege but that's what I'm feeling right now. Days like this are when I am SO happy I found this website, and SO happy I have discovered so many all time great works of art.
Pop-infused R&B with the likes of record powerhouse 'What's Love Got to Do with It', 'Private Dancer' (album) is soulful, profound, and tasteful. Tina Turner's commendable vocals is full-bodied and flavorful, geared for many genres - the uptempo rock records are upheld by Turner's stamina, while the smooth jazz and ballads retain her radiance. Casual listening promises an extremely effortless and gratifying listen; critical listening reveals a guaranteed above-average production and delivery.
For me, this album is like Thriller - I'd never heard the album as a whole before, but I'd heard almost all the tracks as singles. It's fire! This is how you make a comeback. Tina mixes up new tracks that capture her newfound cougar status with well-picked covers. As well, the music is on trend with 80s synthpop but also lets her completely rock out. So many good tracks and such a solid album!
It's always amazing to hear Tina sing. What a legend. It's also always shocking to hear how much 'What's Love Got To Do With It' is an abuse song. 1984 really hits home about how not much has changed for being black in America. Sigh. Not sure if you all listened to the remastered version, but it includes a version of the Beatles 'Help' and a duet with David Bowie that are just beautiful.
Wow. Full of hits on this and the sound was sometimes SO 1984 that it was wild. I loved this album and the covers were all great.
In late 1984 on a long school trip I forgot to pack any extra cassettes for my Walkman knock-off. At a truck stop I perused the limited selection and saw a single copy of this album. On impulse I bought PRIVATE DANCER despite knowing very little about Tina Turner. This was not something I would have ever imagined adding my my collection. By the end of side one, the universe had assigned me my diva and I had met the musical love of my life. PRIVATE DANCER overflows with fire and passion. Every song on this album is a monster. The cover songs feel like completely new tracks as Tina works them into her style. The polished 80s production serves to highlight Tina’s raw, primal energy that still makes me stop what I’m doing to listen. PRIVATE DANCER is my musical cornerstone and likely the greatest album I will ever hear.
That was a pleasant surprise. Even the singles sounded better, not as produced. That cover of 1984 was excellent, paying homage to Bowie's version by going a little further than he did.
Such an amazing album. Theres all kinds of history and reasons why this is an incredibly empowering album and a triumph for an artist as well, but the short version is that its just a fantastic album. 5/5
Not many examples of rock and soul being fused so seamlessly, and the special sauce of course is Turner's truly one of a kind vocals. Pop masterpiece.
My apologies Tina, I was not familiar with your game. I’m a slag for a poorly produced 80s Disco album. Best song: Let’s stay together Worst song: 1984
I was really surprised. Expected this to be cheesy 80s schlock and it wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong. It was 80s sounds, but not total cheese. I’m the right setting this is a really good listen.
6/11 Incredible songstress over classic 80's production. Standout Tracks: I Might Have Been Queen, Show Some Respect, I Can't Stand the Rain, Steel Claw
Good pop album with an edge from a legendary artist with a unique voice. Despite this not being my personal favorite genre and only steel claw popped out as a great song i liked, it was an overall good album that deserves its rating
Die meisten der immerhin 7 Singles dieses Albums kenne ich seit dem Release in den 80ern. Und hatte damit seither eben die 80er und ihren Sound verknüpft. Und dabei nie wirklich bemerkt, was für ein un-glaub-lich-es Organ Tina Turner eigentlich hat. I Can't Stand the Rain!
Great album, all the hits, and found some samples to other songs I didn’t know were a thing.
Let's Stay Together Publicado: 19 de noviembre de 1983 Help Publicado: 25 de febrero de 1984 What's Love Got to Do with It Publicado: 16 de junio de 1984 Better Be Good To Me Publicado: 15 de septiembre de 1984 Private Dancer Publicado: 17 de febrero de 1985 I Can't Stand the Rain Publicado: 2 de marzo de 1985 Show Some Respect Publicado: 4 de mayo de 1985
I knew most of the songs from my youth, but I hadn't heard many of the covers. The Beatles cover was great.
Gravelly voice? Check. Bucket load of synth? Check. One of the biggest albums of the 80s? Check.
The height of 80s slick production contrasts perfectly with her powerful voice. I wasn't keen on the covers though.
I thought this would be another case where the lead single would be the only good track, followed by a series of bad covers and other songs written by conflicting writers. But no, the production is great, busy sound as the 80s is known for, but combines post-disco with jazz and soft rock to make something soulful yet danceable, accessible for all audiences. First 6 tracks are perfect. The covers are mixed. The Peebles and Al Green covers are amazing and don't sound off with Turner's style, and you might be able to convince me they were originally intended for the era had I not heard the originals before. The Bowie and Beatles covers I wasn't really impressed by, but the 1984 cover was a little cool if anything. Favorite tracks: What's Love Got to Do With It, Private Dancer, Let's Stay Together
Mis favoritas: What's love got to do with it I can't stand the rain Private dancer Let's stay together
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Actually a good album and enjoyed it far more than I would have ever expected. Its pure 80s but still listenable today. Apart from the Help cover which overstayed its welcome, all the songs were of great quality. It did get a bit tiring when the last couple came on but apart from that really happy with this.
Ok so it's a pretty good selection of covers like I can't stNd the rain and let's stay together, however they do show the limitations of her vocal range, but that doesn't bother me at all un fact I find it endearing...you always recognize a Tina Turner performance. And when Tina rocks, like in better be good to me, she takes a backseat to no one; man or woman.4 🌟
I would have hated this when I was a teenager, kind of enjoyed it now. One of the songs I thought had a bit of Nutbush City Limits about it
teenta turnter. fun 80s pop. one star deducted because there's no reason for the title track to be that long.
90. Private Dancer - Tina Turner 17 tracks. I really enjoyed this, (and some of her other stuff it took me to even more), but I also prefer her Rocky side rather her Soulful stuff. Have listened to this album a few times over last few days. Better Be Good to Me is EPIC!!! 4/5
I'm going to agree with the field on this one. I had zero interest in Tina or this kind of music at the time of this album's popularity and now I understand completely why it was so popular. It almost feels like a Bruce Springsteen record to me, at times. (Looking at you "Steel Claw.") Or maybe his album's feel like Tina's? I don't know. Chicken and the egg. Anyway, "1984" is a really terrible way to end an album that otherwise far exceeded my expectations. Who let that song make it to press??
Tell you what, this album had me in its mid-80s clutches for the entire thing - even through Help which I was sure I was gonna hate. But then... 1984. Hoo boy. But otherwise, I really enjoyed this. Probably a little because of nostalgia - it just sounds like the mall when I was 10. But still - enjoyed it.
4, this was so good! I feel like I only think of What's Love Got to Do With It is all I think of with her but this album rocked.
This was huge when I was a kid and I have a sizable amount of nostalgia for the 80s pop sound in general - rife with synths and drum machines. Pop music from this era can come sometimes across as "soulless" because of it's tendency to be rather clean and polished but that is impossible in the hands of Tina Turner. Her imminently soulful voice provides a powerful foil for the slick, synth dominated tracks, and I enjoy the contrast very much.
80s diva, belting out hits without the benefit of auto-tune, but with the benefit of a lot of synthesizers, big hair and some saxophone cameos. I don't hate the album because I don't hate the sound of the 1980s.
Kind of long, but there sure are some gems in there. Gotta respected the awesome punch in her voice. Favorite: I wrote a letter; I might have been queen; rock'n'roll widow.
This album is very 80s by which I mean heavy on the synthesizer and drum machines in a very particular way. Having said that, I enjoyed this album more than I expected to. Tina Turner is a powerhouse of a vocalist and this album showcases her emotional range as well. ‘I can’t stand the rain’ is the standout track for me.
So unashamedly 80s and hits the mark because of this. Finally out of the shadow of (and trauma caused by Ike) Tina Turner shone on this album. So many hits, so many good songs. I'd forgotten the covers too. Tina really makes Let's Stay Together her own and manages to follow it with a just as good Bowie cover of 1984, a song I would never have pictured her performing. OK, I'm not a fan of the Beatles cover nut I think that one is down to my taste. Only thing against sound is too polished in places which is at odds with Tina's raw vocals.
There is a huge laundry list of artists on this one. Also 4 different production teams? Tina's vocal delivery is POWER. What's Love Got To Do With It is a killer sad song. Can't Stand The Rain has that horns in a can sound, but it's only just on the verge of being too much. Let's Stay Together is a wild cover. Again, it borders on too much and I think crosses that line. Steel Claw is a raccous boogie. Though there is a lot of lyrically whiplash on this album. The Help! cover is not my favorite. The 1984 cover I think is spot on. So on balance I have no idea where to put this album. Will need to revisit this.
Tina Turner is a referent. Here she has some hits as "What's love go to do with it" and "Private dancer".
Excellent vocals and good music. Some standout songs that I enjoyed in the 80s and again.
Love the energy and can feel that the personnel enjoyed making the music, esp. in Steel Claw
Really good overall. Didn’t dislike any of it. I’d consider it a 3.5/5 overall but I’ll round up here due to not really having any complaints.
Solid album. Nice sound and great voice. Standout tracks: What's Love Got to Do with It I Can't Stand the Rain 1984 Ball of Confusion
Tina Turner really rocked in the 80’s, really top stuff on this record, but the production has not hold up well
i got sixteen tracks into the 30th anniversary version before wondering if i was into added material yet, which is high praise, honestly.
Tina. Amazing. I remember when this album was released, and hearing the stories of the abuse she suffered for so many years. Whenever I hear 'What's Love Got To Do With It', I get a little misty-eyed even after all these years. Separating the personal story from it, it's a darn beautiful song lyrically and musically. And, of course, her voice. That voice. Even in the tracks that aren't normally to my taste -- the kind of mid-80s dance types that I don't actively dislike; I'm just not that into -- her voice carries it all. I'm so glad to know she achieved so much success with this album and for decades after. I'm gushing, I know. I'm a fan, and I'm inspired. Shine on, Beautiful Star!
Tina really did a fine job on this album. Full of really good songs. 4/5 Standouts: Private Dancer, I Can't Stand the Rain, What's Love Got to Do With it?, Let's Stay Together. Others: 1984, Better Be Good To Me, Help! (From the International Version)
So many bangers on this album, only suffers from a few cover songs that are only so-so
29th June 2022 Listened on the way from Sav’s into the office. Travelled back to painswick and chilled in the evening. Can’t not love a bit of Tina, one of the holy triumvirate along with Aretha and Queen Bey.
Odd that the tracks with more electronics hold up better than those with acoustic drums and guitars. Let's Stay Together holds its own in comparison with Al Green's original and the Heaven 17-boosted songs makes you wish it had been a consistent style across the album. Help! in particular still clangs heavy for me.
As other reviews have noted, this is eighties as fuck. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Turner's voice is incredible. Powerful, expressive and unmistakably hers. Majority of the tracks on this album suit her voice perfectly. "I can't stand the rain" is aggressively horrible. It's better than Miss Elliott's cover, but that isn't saying much. It's raspy, repetitive and a hard skip from the tracklist. Private Dancer is a bit sad. Would I listen to this again? Nope. Would I object someone else playing it within earshot? Nope. Do I see the significance of the album in its historical context? Yep.
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: What’s love gotta do with it, I can’t stand the rain, Private dancer, When I was young
Best song - Let’s stay Together One for karaoke - Private Dancer One for a run - Steel Claw 80s banger. Exactly what I expected. Let’s Stay Together will be a weekly regular
Favourite song: Private Dancer One for the Karaoke: What’s Love Got To Do With It? One for the Car: Show Some Respect TT holdin’ it down baby
A great voice, but other than the hits, the rest is sort of forgettable. Tina is a fantastic singer, but I was kind of bored, especially with the bland music. Normally a 2 star from me, but her talent carries it to a 3.5/5.
Tina’s voice is the stand out, defiant & emotional. Feels like a greatest hits. Not a massive fan of the production
Favorites: What's Love Got to Do with It, Show Some Respect, Let's Stay Together, 1984 The fifth solo album by Tina Turner, it was what propelled her into becoming a solo star after several challenging years of going solo after divorcing her husband and performing partner Ike Turner. Her best-selling North American album. Blends sounds from rock, pop, smooth jazz and r&b throughout a mixture of uptempos and ballads.
Excellent collection of powerful 80s tunes. I had only ever really heard What's Love Got to Do With It, so I have a new found appreciation of Tina Turner. Highlights: -What's Love Got To Do With It -Private Dancer -1984
Some very interesting covers (and then there was 1984...). Seemed pretty uneven with just a couple of standout tracks.
Great record of this era. I was disappointed there weren't more BANGERS in here, but overall very solid.
Another classic 80's pop album. I left it playing and it went like a breeze. It's got its couple of megahits so it sounds somewhat familiar, but it's not what I'd play on a daily basis.
I quite liked this. Very 80’s movie vibe throughout the whole thing and not a huge variety but was an easy listen.
Not a bad album. "What's Love Got to Do with it" is the most popular song by far. Rest is alright. 6/10.
eh. i'll give it 6/10. overall i think this sounded pretty generic, but there were fun tunes here and there. the cover of help! is actually really cool. her lower register is rough at times, but when when she belts it's fantastic.
You know what you're getting withna Tina Turner album. Well crafted catchy pop with the odd belter.
Strong start Tina, unfortunately as the album went on it fell a bit flat for me in places. The good songs on there do just about enough for me to give it 3*
decent production carried this project, with not a lot to hold onto in the lyrical dept but these are big fun 80s pop tracks. Title track was 7 minutes and fairly overdone by the time it wrapped though
Guuuud va långt, kommer inte kunna lyssna på hela. Whats love bla bla bla är enda anledningen till att den får en 3/5
Este álbum encontra se extremamente datado, a partir da primeira nota ouvimos anos 80. Tina tinha uma boa voz mas pop está longe de me agradar. Nota:5/10
Quintessential 80’s. Tina showed her ability to stand out as a solo act on this record, but I could’ve sworn “What’s Love” was faster paced.
This is so 80s I felt myself growing a full perm and shoulder pads as I listened. It's beautifully produced classic pop, containing some of the most recogisaable songs from that decade. As an unapologetic lover of most things 80s, even though I'm not a big Turner fan, this tickles all the right nostalgia places. A fun listen and a fun singalong.
A few great tunes here - I particularly love her voice on Let's Stay Together. A few really dated-sounding tracks (1984, esp!) that bring the whole effort down a bit. She's an icon, no doubt, but I'd prefer a greatest hits collection to this full album.
"What's Love Got to Do With It" is, of course, a classic. The rest is too 80s for my taste.
Dated production, but strong songs, and always good to listen to her voice. One of those albums where I can picture a particular location for a listening session. (Annie Paynter's house). Horrific covers of Help! and Bowie's 1984 at the end.