Ready for the World is the debut album from the Michigan -based band Ready for the World . It was self-produced by the band and released on May 14, 1985, by MCA Records .
Ready for the World Released May 14, 1985 Recorded 1984–85 Studio Silver Sun Recording Studio (Flint, Michigan) Genre
Length 42 :28 Label MCA Producer Ready for the World
"Tonight" Released: 1984
"Deep Inside Your Love" Released: 1984
"Oh Sheila " Released: 1985
"Digital Display" Released: 1985
"Slide Over" Released: 1985
"Ceramic Girl" Released: 1986
Of the nine songs appearing on the original album, six were released as singles. The lead track, "Tonight", did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 , only reaching number 103, but the single charted on the R&B chart , where it peaked at number 6. Their second single, "Deep Inside Your Love" also peaked at number 6 on the R&B chart.[ 4]
The next single, "Oh Sheila ", peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 , the R&B chart , and the dance chart , it reached the UK Singles Chart , where it peaked at number 50.[ 5] "Digital Display" reached number 21 on the pop chart, number 4 on the R&B chart, as well as charting number 3 on the dance chart.[ 6] [ 4] [ 7]
The last two singles: "Slide Over" and "Ceramic Girl", reached numbers 57 and 82 on the R&B chart, respectively.[ 4] Later, the album cut "Human Toy" was used as the A-side and B-side for their 1986 single, "Love You Down ".
The album itself sold well and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for reaching sales of over one million copies in the United States.[ 8] It reached a peak of number 17 on the pop album charts ,[ 9] while reaching number 3 on the R&B album charts .[ 10]
Credits adapted from Discogs .[ 11]
Side One Title Writer(s) 1. "Tonight"
Gordon Strozier
Melvin Riley Jr.
4:58 2. "Digital Display" Gregory Potts 5:36 3. "Ceramic Girl" 4:17 4. "Deep Inside Your Love"
Strozier
Riley Jr.
Potts
John Eaton
4:22
Side two Title Writer(s) 5. "Oh Sheila "
Strozier
Riley Jr.
Gerald Valentine
4:00 6. "Human Toy" Riley Jr. 4:32 7. "Slide Over"
Strozier
Riley Jr.
Potts
Valentine
5:03 8. "Out of Town Lover" 5:02 9. "I'm the One Who Loves You" 4:32 Total length: 42:44
Credits adapted from Discogs .[ 12]
Melvin Riley Jr. – lead vocals, guitar
Gordon Strozier – guitar, backing vocals
Gregory Potts – keyboards, backing vocals
John Eaton – bass, backing vocals
Gerald Valentine – drums, electronic drums
Willie Triplett – electronic drums, backing vocals
Ready for the World – production
Bernard Terry – production assistant, engineering (tracks 1, 4, 9)
Louil Silas Jr. – engineering, remixing (tracks 2, 3, 5-8)
Greg Reiley – engineering (tracks 1, 4, 9)
Taavi Mote – remix engineering (tracks 2, 3, 5-8)
Dan Marnien – remix engineering assistant – (tracks 2, 3, 5-8)
Jim Shea – photography
Vartan – art direction
John Kosh – art direction, design
Ron Larson – art direction, design
Steve Hall – mastering
^ a b Breihan, Tom (October 28, 2020). "The Number Ones: Ready For The World's "Oh Sheila" . Stereogum . Retrieved August 6, 2023 . Their self-titled debut album went platinum, and it's a pretty strong piece of slick, new-wavey R&B...
^ Theakston, Rob. "Ready for the World Review by Rob Theakston" . AllMusic . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ Christgau, Robert (1990). "Consumer Guide '80s: R" . Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s . Pantheon Books . ISBN 089919026X . Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
^ a b c "Ready for the World Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ "READY FOR THE WORLD | full Official Chart History" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved 19 October 2021 .
^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Hot 100)" . Billboard . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Dance Club Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ "American album certifications – Ready For The World – Ready For The World" . Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 19 October 2021 .
^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Top R&B//Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ "Ready For The World - Ready For The World" . Discogs . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ "Ready For The World – Ready For The World" . Discogs . Retrieved October 22, 2021 .
^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1985" . Billboard . Retrieved March 17, 2021 .
^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1986" . Billboard . Retrieved March 17, 2021 .
^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1986" . Billboard . Retrieved March 17, 2021 .