Ready for the World (Ready for the World album)

Ready for the World
Studio album by
Ready for the World
ReleasedMay 14, 1985
Recorded1984–85
StudioSilver Sun Recording Studio (Flint, Michigan)
Genre
Length42:28
LabelMCA
ProducerReady for the World
Ready for the World chronology
Ready for the World
(1985) 		Long Time Coming
(1986)
Singles from Ready for the World
  1. "Tonight"
    Released: 1984
  2. "Deep Inside Your Love"
    Released: 1984
  3. "Oh Sheila"
    Released: 1985
  4. "Digital Display"
    Released: 1985
  5. "Slide Over"
    Released: 1985
  6. "Ceramic Girl"
    Released: 1986
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Christgau's Record GuideB+[3]

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, 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]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Discogs.[11]

Side One
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Tonight"
  • Gordon Strozier
  • Melvin Riley Jr.
4:58
2."Digital Display"Gregory Potts5:36
3."Ceramic Girl"
  • Strozier
  • Riley Jr.
4:17
4."Deep Inside Your Love"
  • Strozier
  • Riley Jr.
  • Potts
  • John Eaton
4:22
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
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"
  • Strozier
  • Riley Jr.
5:02
9."I'm the One Who Loves You"
  • Strozier
  • Riley Jr.
  • Potts
4:32
Total length:42:44

Personnel

Credits adapted from Discogs.[12]

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 (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

Charts

References

  1. ^ 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...
  2. ^ Theakston, Rob. "Ready for the World Review by Rob Theakston". AllMusic. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  3. ^ Christgau, Robert (1990). "Consumer Guide '80s: R". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  4. ^ a b c "Ready for the World Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  5. ^ "READY FOR THE WORLD | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  7. ^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  8. ^ "American album certifications – Ready For The World – Ready For The World". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Top R&B//Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2021. {{cite magazine}}: External link in |title= (help)
  11. ^ "Ready For The World - Ready For The World". Discogs. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  12. ^ "Ready For The World – Ready For The World". Discogs. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  13. ^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "Ready for the World Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  15. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1985". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  16. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  17. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2021.