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.

History

Of the nine songs appearing on the original album, a total of six were used as singles. The lead track, "Tonight", never charted 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.

Ready for the World (Ready for the World album)

The band would rank higher on the charts with their next single, "Oh Sheila", which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, the R&B chart, and the dance chart; it managed to reach the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 50. "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.

Ready for the World (Ready for the World album)

The last two singles, "Slide Over" and "Ceramic Girl", did not chart as well as the past singles, only reaching number 57 and 82 on the R&B chart, respectively. Later, the album cut "Human Toy" was used as the A-side and B-side for their 1986 single, "Love You Down".

Ready for the World (Ready for the World album)

Despite the last two singles' low airtime, 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. It reached a peak of number 17 on the pop album charts, while reaching number 3 on the R&B album charts.

Track listing

Credits adapted from Discogs.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Discogs.

Performance credits

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

Production

Ready for the World – production

Bernard Terry – production assistant, engineering

Louil Silas Jr. – engineering, remixing

Greg Reiley – engineering

Taavi Mote – remix engineering

Dan Marnien – remix engineering assistant –

Jim Shea – photography

Vartan – art direction

John Kosh – art direction, design

Ron Larson – art direction, design

Steve Hall – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

1985 debut albums

MCA Records albums

Ready for the World albums