LP Review: She Works Hard for the Money
Released: 1983
LP Charts: #5 R&B, #9 pop
After the woeful Donna Summer (C-) album produced by Quincy Jones, Donna Summer got some control back over her career. Instead of returning to Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte as producers (sigh), she instead chose Michael Omartian as her main collaborator for this album. The main reason? Omartian was a born-again Christian like Summer.
I can quibble with the logic, but at least the musical results had more life than the secular considerations of Quincy.
In fact, She Works Hard for the Money would be Summer’s final gold album and final album to reach the pop and R&B top 10. The title track would also be her penultimate pop top 10 hit and her last R&B #1. All of that is a disappointing realization because this album should have set Summer up for continued commercial success—not domination, but success—in the 1980s.
Hilariously, this album was released on Mercury Records, who now owned the remnants of Summer’s old label Casablanca. This release fulfilled her last obligations to her old company meaning her most successful outing of the 1980s was not for the annoying Geffen Records. There is some justice in this world.
Anyhoo, the title track (#1 R&B, #3 pop, #3 disco) is Summer’s latest and perhaps greatest ode to female labor.
There’s more to like and even love on this album besides that anthemic hit. “Stop, Look and Listen” finds Summer working her pop-rock leanings toward addressing social ills. It’s no “What’s Going On”, but it’s a nice tune. In a similar vein is “People People” which addresses the issue of runaway children.
“Unconditional Love” (#9 R&B, #43 pop, #14 UK), with guest vocals from Musical Youth, is a great and unexpected reggae song from Summer. “Tokyo” is more pleasant pop-rock.
This album isn’t without its imperfections. “He’s A Rebel” is serviceable rock & roll evoking late ‘50s, early ‘60s nostalgia. “Woman” has somewhat regressive lyrics encouraging women “to treat your man real good”. “Love Has A Mind Of Its Own” is a tender, if overblown, piano-driven ballad. It woulda been decent if not for the presence of duet partner Matthew Ward. His voice is hokey and stinks here.
That ballad’s failings are put in stark relief by “I Do Believe (I Fell In Love)”, which gives Summer all the room she needs to work her vocal magic.
ALBUM GRADE: C+
Not one of Donna Summer’s top tier albums since it has a bit of unremarkable filler, but it’s a solid outing for fans. Plus it has two bangers for the masses and two more lesser gems you lay folks might appreciate too.
Song Scores:
She Works Hard for the Money: 7.5/10
Stop, Look and Listen: 7/10
He’s A Rebel: 5/10
Woman: 6/10
Unconditional Love: 8/10
Love Has A Mind Of Its Own: 5/10
Tokyo: 6.5/10
People People: 6/10
I Do Believe (I Fell In Love): 7/10