Starchild is the sixth studio album by American R&B singer Teena Marie, released on November 11, 1984, by Epic Records. Following the relative commercial failure of her previous album, Robbery, Starchild became the highest-selling album of Marie's career. It peaked at #9 on the US Black Albums chart and #31 on the Billboard Albums chart. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 1, 1985.
The album's success was driven by lead single "Lovergirl" which become a major US hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and her only top 30 hit on that chart. Marie also received a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the single at the 27th Grammy Awards-her second nomination in that category.
The album was written and produced by Marie, with contributions from Leon Ware and Narada Michael Walden. The track "My Dear Mr. Gaye" is a tribute to Marvin Gaye, who had been fatally shot and killed by his father on April 1, 1984.
It was re-released by SoulMusic Records in 2012 as an Expanded Edition, containing 5 mixes as bonus tracks (see track listing below).
Track listing
All songs written by Teena Marie, except where noted. "Lovergirl" – 4:54 "Help Youngblood Get to the Freaky Party" (Bendrix, Marie) – 5:44 "Out on a Limb" – 6:37 "Alibi" (Marie, Fred Mirza) – 5:23 "Jammin" – 5:52 "Starchild" – 5:35 "We've Got to Stop (Meeting Like This)" (Duet With Ronnie McNeir) – 5:07 "My Dear Mr. Gaye" (Marie, Penny "P.J." Johnson, Leon Ware) – 5:28 "Light" – 1:17 Expanded Edition "Lovergirl" (US Single Edit) - 3:59 "Lovergirl" (US Special 12" Dance Mix) - 5:53 "Lovergirl" (US Single - Instrumental) - 6:10 "Jammin'" (Dance Mix - Long Version) - 8:20 "Out on a Limb" (US 12" Single Edit) - 5:31
Personnel
Credits for Starchild adapted from Allmusic
Teena Marie – lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 2, 6), pianos, synthesizers, guitars, drums, drum machine programming, percussion, arrangements, rhythm and vocal arrangements, synthesizer arrangements (1, 2, 4, 5, 6), string arrangements (7) Walter Afanasieff – synthesizers Wyman Brown – synthesizers Darren Carmichael – synthesizers Randy Kerber – acoustic piano, synthesizers, rhythm and synthesizer arrangements (6), string arrangements (7) Fred Mirza – synthesizers, synthesizer arrangements (1, 4), rhythm arrangements (4) Dan Radlauer – synthesizers Preston Glass – guitars Dann Huff – guitars Tom McDermott – guitars Corrado Rustici – guitars David Taylor – guitars David T. Walker – guitars Nathan East – bass James Jamerson, Jr. – bass Allen McGrier –bass, male lead vocals (2), drum machine programming (6) James Gadson – drums John Robinson – drums Narada Michael Walden – drums, rhythm arrangements (3) Michael White – drums Paulinho da Costa – percussion Ernie Watts – saxophone solo (8) Gene Page – string conductor (7, 8), string arrangements (8) Harry Bluestone – concertmaster (7, 8) Billy Griffin – backing vocals Mickey Hearn – backing vocals Penny "PJ" Johnson – backing vocals, vocal arrangements (8) Yvette Marine – backing vocals Leon Ware – backing vocals Julia Tillman Waters – backing vocals Maxine Willard Waters – backing vocals Ronnie McNeir – male lead vocals (7)
Production
Larkin Arnold – executive producer
Teena Marie – producer, cover concept
Bobby Brooks – engineer (1, 2, 4-9), mixing
David Frazier – engineer (3) Rick Butz – assistant engineer Elmer Flores – assistant engineer Deni King – assistant engineer Richard McKernan – assistant engineer Magic Moreno – assistant engineer Gary Wagner – assistant engineer Bernie Grundman – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California) P.J. – production coordinator, cover concept Tony Lane – art direction Nancy Donald – art direction Ron Slenzak – photography Tim Wild – airbrushing Renny Roberts – back cover illustration The Michael Gardner Company – management