Five Songs You Need to Know from Billy Ocean’s ‘Suddenly’ album
September 21, 2024
The fifth album by British singer and songwriter Billy Ocean, Suddenly was his breakthrough record both at home and in the US. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this month, we’re looking back at some of the album’s biggest and most enduring hits.
Suddenly
The album closer and its titular track, this song was a top five hit in the UK and US, becoming the record’s most successful single at home. This heartrending, uplifting ballad was penned with album collaborator and fellow Trinidadian-born songwriter and producer Keith Diamond.
Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)
Originally released as European Queen, after achieving success in Germany this funky cut of 80s pop was rerecorded for various places around the world. Caribbean Queen connected in the US, giving Billy his first number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Loverboy
Following on from the success of Caribbean Queen, Loverboy gave Billy another top ten in the US with its futuristic production, angular riffs and universal themes. The sci-fi music video took inspiration from Star Wars and its infamous Mos Eisley Cantina scene, but was actually filmed in Dorset.
Mystery Lady
One of the final singles from the album, this smooth jam opens with the ostentatiously direct lyric, “Hey there mystery lady, can I spend the night with you?” But like most of Billy’s songwriting, he drew from universal matters of the heart rather than personal experience.
The Long and Winding Road
The final single to be released from Suddenly and the only cover on the record, this reimagining of the Beatles classic platforms the pure soul of the song. A big fan of the fab four, in a full circle moment and nearly 30 years later in 2011 Billy became a Companion of the Paul McCartney-founded music school LIPA.
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