Released: March 8, 1985
Genre: R&B ∙ soul
Label: Tabu ∙ Epic
Producer: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis ∙ Monte Moir
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alexander O’Neal is one of my favorite artists from the 1980s, and is one of the greatest of all time. Alexander O’Neal was signed to the legendary label Tabu Records..a label known for launching the careers of artists like The S.O.S. Band & Cherrelle. Alex is known for his duets with labelmate Cherrelle, with Saturday Love, Everything I Miss At Home, Never Knew Love Like This & Keep It Inside being a few of them.
Originally a member of The Time, Alexander embarked on a solo career with his eponymous debut album… which was released in the spring of 1985. Alexander O’Neal is an ALBUM! Everything about this album is immaculate. The album cover ALONE made me intrigued to listen to it as a child. The photo depicts Alex in front of Mickey’s Diner in Saint Paul, Minnesota in a player ass suit and a nice convertible. As you turn the album on, you’re immediately intrigued by Alex’s raw and impressive vocal capabilities.
Produced by the legendary songwriting and production team Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis & Monte Moir, the album embodies the Minneapolis sound through and through. This album is important to mention when you discuss the Minneapolis Sound, and what was to come from a production standpoint with duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, speaking that they would go on to work with artists such as New Edition, The Human League & Janet Jackson.
The tales of love, loneliness, heartbreak and perseverance makes you remember that this Alexander O’Neal is a masterpiece from start to finish and that Alex was definitely one of the best of his time. The album was a huge success in the United Kingdom, with the original release peaking in the top ten of the UK Albums Chart at 19, and being certified Gold there. In the United States, the album peaked in top 40 of the R&B charts at 21 and stayed on that chart for 71 weeks.
Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you: Alexander O’Neal
Side one:
A Broken Heart Can Mend
Written by James Harris ∙ Terry Lewis
The album opens with A Broken Heart Can Mend, a song which discusses the singer being hesitant to love again after being heartbroken. The optimism behind loving again is there, but it is also tricky at the same time because who wants to be played again, right? Released as the third single from the album, it peaked at 53 on the UK Singles, and 62 on the Billboard Hot R&B singles charts respectively.
A Broken Heart Can Mend contains an interoplation of:
- 17 Days by Prince
A Broken Heart Can Mend was interpolated for:
Love Is All That Matters by The Human League
A Broken Heart Can Mend was sampled for:
- Where The Party At by Notorious B.I.G. & Faith Evans
If You Were Here Tonight
Written by Monte Moir
If You Were Here Tonight is a classic R&B ballad from my boy! It’ll always be a smooth song to vibe to at night with your significant other whether if you’re far from each other or not. From a lyrical perspective, it’s pretty self explanatory: it’s a melancholy ballad about the demise of a relationship. Alex
Released as the second single from the album, If You Were Here Tonight was Alexander’s first successful solo single in the UK, peaking number 13 in 1986. On the Hot Black Singles chart, it peaked at number 17.
If You Were Here Tonight was interpolated for:
- Work by Rihanna featuring Drake
If You Were Here Tonight was sampled for:
- Down The Aisle by LL Cool J featuring 112
- Taboo by Sevyn Streeter
- Break My Heart by Ella Mai
Do You Wanna Like I Do
Written by Monte Moir
Do You Wanna Like I Do has the singer asking the one whom he loves if she would want to get back in love again. It’s definitely a vulnerable but beautiful song to win your girl back in your good graces.
Look At Us Now
Written by Monte Moir
Look at Us Now is a song where the singer is expressing how far they’ve come in their relationship and he’s willing to go the distance with her as long as she is. A gem!
Side two:
Medley: Innocent/Alex 900/Innocent II
Written by James Harris ∙ Terry Lewis
Medley: “Innocent“/”Alex 9000″/”Innocent II is a 10 minute masterpiece with R&B, funk and electronic influences. Released as the lead single, the song peaked at 11 on the Hot Black Singles chart. Cherrelle (Alex’s frequent collaborator and label mate sings the female vocals on this hot record.
Innocent was sampled for:
- I Ain’t Gone Hold Ya by Jeezy and DJ Drama
What’s Missing
Written by James Harris ∙ Terry Lewis
What’s Missing is a BOP! From a lyrical perspective, the singer is wondering what happened to the love he had with his lover and how they can figure out when and where did they go wrong. Released as the fourth single, What’s Missing peaked in the top ten on the Hot Black Singles chart, at number 8.
You Were Meant To Be My Lady (Not My Girl)
Written by James Harris ∙ Terry Lewis
The album closes with You Were Meant To Be My Lady (Not My Girl,) where the singer acknowledges that even though he was in love with someone when they first met years ago, the timing wasn’t right and sees her years later and he is feeling the spark he first felt! A song! Released as the final single from the album, You Were Meant To Be My Lady (Not My Girl) peaked in the top 40 of the Hot Black Singles chart at 32.
Self-titled albums are always good, but Alexander O’Neal gave us QUALITY for his debut okay! 40 years later, I’ll put it up against any album that has dropped this year alone and Alex will win every single time. All 7 songs were good enough to be hit singles, and that was the beauty of songs back then when you had producers like Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis & Monte Moir. The blood, sweat and tears went into each song and it shows based on how each song stands the test of time. Alexander O’Neal will always be one of the best. -MW.
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