The Hunger (Michael Bolton album)

The Hunger
Studio album by Michael Bolton
Released September 22, 1987
Recorded 1986
Genre Pop rock
Length 37:21
Label Columbia
40473
Producer Jonathan Cain, Keith Diamond, Susan Hamilton
Michael Bolton chronology
Everybody's Crazy
(1985)		 The Hunger
(1987)		 Soul Provider
(1989)

The Hunger is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. It was released in 1987 by Columbia Records. This was his breakthrough album, with the hits "That's What Love Is All About" and the Otis Redding cover "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay".

Zelma Redding, the widow of Otis Redding, said Bolton's performance of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" moved her so much "that it brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me so much of my husband that I know if he heard it, he would feel the same."[1] In a framed letter that hangs on the wall of Bolton's office, she called the record "my all-time favorite version of my husband's classic."[2]

Several songs from this album feature Journey members Jonathan Cain on keyboards, Neal Schon on guitar, and previous member from their Raised on Radio 1986-87 tour Randy Jackson (of American Idol fame) on bass. During this time, there were rumors that Bolton might have been in the running as Journey's new lead singer after Steve Perry's initial departure from the band in early 1987. Also playing on certain tracks on the album was then-current Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick.

Despite only reaching #46 on the US Billboard 200, the album achieved stability in the charts. After several weeks the album was certified double Platinum in the US (Bolton's first certification of his career). Worldwide, the album has shipped four million copies over the years. In 1990, three years after its initial release, the album entered the UK Albums Chart for the first time and reached its peak of #44, following the success of the album Soul Provider.[3]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic link
The Rolling Stone Album Guide [4]

Track listing

Side one
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Hot Love"  Michael Bolton, Martin Briley 3:47
2. "Wait on Love"  Bolton, Jonathan Cain 4:27
3. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (Originally recorded by Otis Redding)Otis Redding, Steve Cropper 3:51
4. "Gina"  Bolton, Bob Halligan, Jr., Keith Diamond 4:07
5. "That's What Love Is All About"  Bolton, Eric Kaz 3:58
Side two
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "The Hunger"  Bolton, Cain 4:18
2. "You're All That I Need"  Bolton, Cain, Neal Schon 4:18
3. "Take a Look at My Face"  Bolton, Briley 4:00
4. "Walk Away"  Bolton, Diane Warren 4:12

Chart positions

Year Chart Position
1987 Australian Albums Chart 36
1987 New Zealand Albums Chart 42
1987 Norway Albums Chart 10
1990[5] UK Albums Chart 44
1987 US Billboard 200 46

Singles

Year Title U.S. Hot 100 U.S. AC
1987 "That's What Love Is All About" 19 3
1987 "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" 11 19

Production

Personnel

Cover versions

References

  1. ↑ "People Are Talking About . . .". Jet. January 18, 1988. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Michael Bolton: 'How Black Music Changed My Life'". Ebony. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  3. ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28981/michael-bolton/
  4. ↑ Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 90. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  5. ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28981/michael-bolton/
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