Divinyls (album)
Encyclopedia
Divinyls is the fourth studio album
by Australian band Divinyls
, released on 29 January 1991 (see 1991 in music
) by Virgin Records
. The album was the band's most successful,, peaking at No.5 in Australia and No.15 in the US. The album also contained the band's biggest-selling single, "I Touch Myself
", which reached No.1 in Australia, No.4 in the US and No.10 in the UK.
The album was the only album recorded by the band with the Virgin Records
label after a recording contract with Chrysalis Records
in the UK was terminated. Virgin told manager Andrew McManus they were keen to sign the band – by then comprising just singer Chrissy Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee
– because they saw Amphlett as "the next Madonna
". Amphlett and McEntee moved to an apartment in Paris where they wrote "Love School
", "Make Out Alright
" and "Lay Your Body Down", before transferring to Los Angeles, where the remainder of the album was written, partly in collaboration with songwriters Billy Steinberg
and Tom Kelly.
The album was recorded at Jackson Browne
's Groove Masters Studio in Santa Monica, with backing provided by bassist Randy Jackson
, keyboardist Benmont Tench
of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
and drummer Charley Drayton
.
Director Michael Bay
filmed a video for "I Touch Myself" in a nunnery in Pasadena. The clip was nominated for an MTV award
but in their home country was banned from television.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Australian band Divinyls
Divinyls
Divinyls were an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980 and featuring vocalist Christina Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. As the focal point, Amphlett performed on stage wearing a school uniform and fishnet stockings, often using an illuminated neon tube as a prop and displaying...
, released on 29 January 1991 (see 1991 in music
1991 in music
See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
) by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. The album was the band's most successful,, peaking at No.5 in Australia and No.15 in the US. The album also contained the band's biggest-selling single, "I Touch Myself
I Touch Myself
"I Touch Myself" is a 1990 single by the Australian rock band Divinyls. The song was written by Divinyls bandmembers Christina Amphlett and Mark McEntee and professional songwriters Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg for the band's self-titled album...
", which reached No.1 in Australia, No.4 in the US and No.10 in the UK.
The album was the only album recorded by the band with the Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
label after a recording contract with Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
in the UK was terminated. Virgin told manager Andrew McManus they were keen to sign the band – by then comprising just singer Chrissy Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee
Mark McEntee
Mark McEntee is an Australian musician, he was the guitarist for the rock band Divinyls. In May 2001, Divinyls' "Science Fiction", written by lead singer Christina Amphlett and McEntee, was selected by Australasian Performing Right Association as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time...
– because they saw Amphlett as "the next Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
". Amphlett and McEntee moved to an apartment in Paris where they wrote "Love School
Love School
"Love School" is a song by Australian rock duo Divinyls, released in April 1991 from their fourth and most successful self titled album. Despite the success of the album and its lead single; the number one hit "I Touch Myself", "Love School" only proved to be a minor success in Australia, peaking...
", "Make Out Alright
Make Out Alright
"Make Out Alright" is a song by Australian rock duo Divinyls, released as the third single from their self titled album in 1991. Despite the immense success of the groups previous single "I Touch Myself" and the moderate success of second single "Love School", "Make Out Alright" did not chart in...
" and "Lay Your Body Down", before transferring to Los Angeles, where the remainder of the album was written, partly in collaboration with songwriters Billy Steinberg
Billy Steinberg
William Endfield "Billy" Steinberg is an American songwriter. He has achieved most of his success as part of a song writing team, most notably with Tom Kelly. He has also co-written several hit songs with Rick Nowels.-Biography:...
and Tom Kelly.
The album was recorded at Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
's Groove Masters Studio in Santa Monica, with backing provided by bassist Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
, keyboardist Benmont Tench
Benmont Tench
Benjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
and drummer Charley Drayton
Charley Drayton
Charley Drayton is an American multi-instrumental musician and producer, who has played as a drummer and bass guitarist for many bands and artists and is currently the drummer in Australian rock bands Divinyls and Cold Chisel....
.
Director Michael Bay
Michael Bay
Michael Benjamin Bay is an American film director and producer. He is known for directing high-budget action films characterized by their fast edits, stylistic visuals and substantial practical special effects...
filmed a video for "I Touch Myself" in a nunnery in Pasadena. The clip was nominated for an MTV award
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
but in their home country was banned from television.
Track listing
- "Make Out AlrightMake Out Alright"Make Out Alright" is a song by Australian rock duo Divinyls, released as the third single from their self titled album in 1991. Despite the immense success of the groups previous single "I Touch Myself" and the moderate success of second single "Love School", "Make Out Alright" did not chart in...
" (Christina AmphlettChristina AmphlettChristine Joy Amphlett was the lead singer of Australian rock band Divinyls. She is also known as Chrissy Amphlett.She grew up in Geelong as a singer and dancer...
, Mark McEntee, Martyn Watson) – 4:38 - "I Touch MyselfI Touch Myself"I Touch Myself" is a 1990 single by the Australian rock band Divinyls. The song was written by Divinyls bandmembers Christina Amphlett and Mark McEntee and professional songwriters Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg for the band's self-titled album...
" (Amphlett, McEntee, Tom Kelly, Billy SteinbergBilly SteinbergWilliam Endfield "Billy" Steinberg is an American songwriter. He has achieved most of his success as part of a song writing team, most notably with Tom Kelly. He has also co-written several hit songs with Rick Nowels.-Biography:...
) – 3:46 - "Lay Your Body Down" (Amphlett, McEntee) – 4:51
- "Love SchoolLove School"Love School" is a song by Australian rock duo Divinyls, released in April 1991 from their fourth and most successful self titled album. Despite the success of the album and its lead single; the number one hit "I Touch Myself", "Love School" only proved to be a minor success in Australia, peaking...
" (Amphlett, McEntee) – 5:23 - "Bless My Soul (It's Rock-n-Roll)" (Amphlett, McEntee) – 4:00
- "If Love Was a Gun" (Amphlett, McEntee) – 5:36
- "Need a Lover" (Amphlett, McEntee) – 4:50
- "Follow Through" (Amphlett, McEntee) – 4:44
- "Café Interlude" – 0:41
- "Bullet" (Amphlett, David Malloy, McEntee) – 4:56
- "I'm On Your SideI'm on Your Side (song)"I'm on Your Side" is a ballad performed by Australian rock duo Divinyls. It was released in 1991 as the fourth and final single from their successful self titled album.-Song information:...
" (Kelly, Steinberg) – 4:16
Personnel
- Chrissy Amphlett — vocals
- Mark McEnteeMark McEnteeMark McEntee is an Australian musician, he was the guitarist for the rock band Divinyls. In May 2001, Divinyls' "Science Fiction", written by lead singer Christina Amphlett and McEntee, was selected by Australasian Performing Right Association as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time...
— guitars, backing vocals - Benmont TenchBenmont TenchBenjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
— keyboards, piano, organ - Randy JacksonRandy JacksonRandall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
— bass - Charley DraytonCharley DraytonCharley Drayton is an American multi-instrumental musician and producer, who has played as a drummer and bass guitarist for many bands and artists and is currently the drummer in Australian rock bands Divinyls and Cold Chisel....
— drums, percussion, harmonica - Brian McLeod - dumbek, tambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
- Scott Crago - drums, percussion
- Van Dyke ParksVan Dyke ParksVan Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....
— string arrangement ("Love School")
Production
- Produced By Chrissy Amphlett, Mark McEntee & David Tickle
- Engineers: David Tickle, Rob Jacobs, Robert Salcedo
- Mixing: Rob Jacbos; Assisted By Robert Salcedo
- Mastered By Doug Sax
Charts
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Albums Chart | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
15 |
| Swedish Albums Chart | 25 |