Endless Love (soundtrack)
Encyclopedia
Endless Love is the name of a soundtrack album to the movie of the same name
, starring Brooke Shields
and Martin Hewitt
. The album was released worldwide by Mercury Records
in 1981.
While the Endless Love movie itself didn't make history, the film's soundtrack and its theme song by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, also called "Endless Love
", certainly did. The song became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and nearly thirty years after its release still remains the best-selling single of Ross' career. The single stayed at #1 for no less than nine weeks from August 9 to October 10, 1981, making it the biggest-selling single of the year in the U.S.. It also topped the Billboard R&B chart and the Adult Contemporary chart as well as becoming a Top 10 hit single in the UK, peaking at #7 and indeed a Top 10 hit in most parts of the world. The duet single was released by Motown Records worldwide since both artists were still signed to that label at the time, and in effect became the most successful single in Motown history. It however became Ross' final hit single for the label, shortly thereafter she signed a then recordbreaking $20 million deal with RCA Records
. Her first album for her new label, the self-produced Why Do Fools Fall in Love
, released the same year, included a solo version of "Endless Love". The Endless Love soundtrack also included a second duet with Ross and Richie, "Dreaming of You", and both songs were also included as orchestral versions alongside Jonathan Tunick's original score.
While Diana Ross' appearance on the Endless Love soundtrack marked the end of an era as she left Motown after twenty years on the label, Lionel Richie's work for the album instead became a new beginning in his career both as a composer, producer and an artist in his own right. The "Endless Love" single was released while he still officially was a member of the Commodores
. The success of the duet encouraged Richie to branch out into a full-fledged solo career, releasing his debut album Lionel Richie
in 1982 which produced another chart-topping single, "Truly", continuing the style of his ballads with the Commodores, like "Easy", "Three Times a Lady
" and "Still
", "Lady" composed and produced for Kenny Rogers
which hit #1 in 1980, and also the two duets with Ross on the Endless Love soundtrack.
The soundtrack album also featured two tracks that were not originally recorded for the actual movie: Kiss
' "I Was Made for Lovin' You
", first released on their album Dynasty, a #11 hit on Billboard
s singles chart in 1979, as well as Cliff Richard
's "Dreamin'", written by singer Leo Sayer
and producer Alan Tarney, originally included on Richard's album I'm No Hero and also a Top 10 hit single in the UK in 1980. Blondie
's 1979 US and UK #1 hit "Heart of Glass
" which also briefly appeared in the movie was not included on the soundtrack album.
The Endless Love soundtrack was re-released on CD by PolyGram
in 1998.
Side B:
Endless Love (film)
Endless Love is a 1981 romantic drama film directed by Franco Zeffirelli, starring Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt. The screenplay by Judith Rascoe was adapted from the novel by Scott Spencer...
, starring Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields
Brooke Christa Shields is an American actress and model. Some of her better-known movies include Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon, as well as TV shows such as Suddenly Susan, That '70s Show and Lipstick Jungle....
and Martin Hewitt
Martin Hewitt (actor)
Martin Hewitt is an American actor. He is best known for his film debut as David Axelrod in Franco Zeffirelli's Endless Love , as Dan in Yellowbeard and his role as Chad Douglas Fairchild in Zalman King's Two Moon Junction...
. The album was released worldwide by Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
in 1981.
While the Endless Love movie itself didn't make history, the film's soundtrack and its theme song by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, also called "Endless Love
Endless Love (song)
"Endless Love" is a song written by Lionel Richie and originally recorded as a duet between Richie and fellow soul singer Diana Ross. In this ballad, the singers declare their "endless love" for one another. It was covered by soul singer Luther Vandross with R&B singer Mariah Carey and also by...
", certainly did. The song became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and nearly thirty years after its release still remains the best-selling single of Ross' career. The single stayed at #1 for no less than nine weeks from August 9 to October 10, 1981, making it the biggest-selling single of the year in the U.S.. It also topped the Billboard R&B chart and the Adult Contemporary chart as well as becoming a Top 10 hit single in the UK, peaking at #7 and indeed a Top 10 hit in most parts of the world. The duet single was released by Motown Records worldwide since both artists were still signed to that label at the time, and in effect became the most successful single in Motown history. It however became Ross' final hit single for the label, shortly thereafter she signed a then recordbreaking $20 million deal with RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. Her first album for her new label, the self-produced Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Why Do Fools Fall in Love (album)
Why Do Fools Fall in Love is a 1981 album released by American singer Diana Ross on the RCA label. It stands as one of the biggest-selling albums of Diana's 50 year career...
, released the same year, included a solo version of "Endless Love". The Endless Love soundtrack also included a second duet with Ross and Richie, "Dreaming of You", and both songs were also included as orchestral versions alongside Jonathan Tunick's original score.
While Diana Ross' appearance on the Endless Love soundtrack marked the end of an era as she left Motown after twenty years on the label, Lionel Richie's work for the album instead became a new beginning in his career both as a composer, producer and an artist in his own right. The "Endless Love" single was released while he still officially was a member of the Commodores
Commodores
The Commodores are an American funk/soul band of the 1970s and 1980s. The members of the group met as mostly freshmen at Tuskegee Institute in 1968, and signed with Motown in November 1972, having first caught the public eye opening for The Jackson 5 while on tour...
. The success of the duet encouraged Richie to branch out into a full-fledged solo career, releasing his debut album Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie (album)
Lionel Richie is the debut solo album by R&B singer Lionel Richie. It was released in 1982 on Motown Records. The first single, "Truly", topped the Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up single "You Are" reached number four, and "My Love" reached number five...
in 1982 which produced another chart-topping single, "Truly", continuing the style of his ballads with the Commodores, like "Easy", "Three Times a Lady
Three Times a Lady
* The song was also covered in the country genre by country singer Billy "Crash" Craddock on his 1986 album Crash Craddock and in 2007 by Cobra Starship as an iTunes bonus track for their album ¡Viva La Cobra!...
" and "Still
Still (Commodores song)
"Still" is a song by the soul music group the Commodores. It reached number one in the U.S. in 1979. It was released as a single on Motown Records with "Such A Woman" as the B-side. The song appears on their hit album Midnight Magic. The song reached the top of both the pop and R&B charts. It is...
", "Lady" composed and produced for Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
which hit #1 in 1980, and also the two duets with Ross on the Endless Love soundtrack.
The soundtrack album also featured two tracks that were not originally recorded for the actual movie: Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
' "I Was Made for Lovin' You
I Was Made For Lovin' You
I Was Made for Lovin' You" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1979 album Dynasty. It was released as the A-side of their first single from the album. It was the band's second Gold single, selling over 1 million copies. The single was certified Platinum in the...
", first released on their album Dynasty, a #11 hit on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s singles chart in 1979, as well as Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
's "Dreamin'", written by singer Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s...
and producer Alan Tarney, originally included on Richard's album I'm No Hero and also a Top 10 hit single in the UK in 1980. Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
's 1979 US and UK #1 hit "Heart of Glass
Heart of Glass (song)
"Heart of Glass" is a song by American New Wave band Blondie, written by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. Featured on the band's third studio album, Parallel Lines, it was released as a single in January 1979 and topped the charts in several countries, including the US and UK.Rolling...
" which also briefly appeared in the movie was not included on the soundtrack album.
The Endless Love soundtrack was re-released on CD by PolyGram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
in 1998.
Track listing
Side A:- "Endless LoveEndless Love (song)"Endless Love" is a song written by Lionel Richie and originally recorded as a duet between Richie and fellow soul singer Diana Ross. In this ballad, the singers declare their "endless love" for one another. It was covered by soul singer Luther Vandross with R&B singer Mariah Carey and also by...
" (Lionel Richie) - 4:26- Performed by Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
& Lionel RichieLionel RichieLionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
- Performed by Diana Ross
- "Dreaming of You" (Thomas McClary, Lionel Richie) - 4:31
- Performed by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
- "I Was Made for Lovin' YouI Was Made For Lovin' YouI Was Made for Lovin' You" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1979 album Dynasty. It was released as the A-side of their first single from the album. It was the band's second Gold single, selling over 1 million copies. The single was certified Platinum in the...
" (Desmond ChildDesmond ChildDesmond Child is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Career:...
, Paul StanleyPaul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
, Vini PonciaVini PonciaVini Poncia is an American musician, songwriter and record producer.In the 1960s, Poncia formed a songwriting team with Peter Anders. An album of songs co-written by these childhood friends The Anders & Poncia Album, was produced by Richard Perry and released in 1969...
) - 3:59- Performed by KissKISS (band)Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
- Performed by Kiss
- "Dreamin'" (Leo SayerLeo SayerLeo Sayer is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s...
, Alan Tarney) - 3:37- Performed by Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
- Performed by Cliff Richard
- "Endless Love" (Theme) (Lionel Richie) - 2:45
- Instrumental
Side B:
- "Dreaming of You" (Theme) (Lionel Richie) - 4:44
- Instrumental
- "Heart Song" (Jonathan Tunick) - 1:42
- Instrumental
- "David Goes To Jade's House" (Jonathan Tunick) - 3:35
- Instrumental
- "Ann Sees David and Jade Making Love" (Jonathan Tunick) - 3:32
- Instrumental
- "David At the Institution" (Dialogue) (Jonathan Tunick) - 4:28
- Instrumental
- "Endless Love" (Reprise) (Lionel Richie) - 4:27
- Performed by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Personnel
- Lionel RichieLionel RichieLionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
- lead vocals, background vocals "Endless Love" & "Dreaming of You" - Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
- lead vocals "Endless Love" & "Dreaming of You" - KissKISS (band)Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
- performers "I Was Made For Lovin' You" - Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
- lead vocals "Dreamin'" - Sonny Burke - Fender Rhodes
- David Cochrane - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, background vocals - Paulinho Da CostaPaulinho Da CostaPaulinho da Costa is a Brazilian percussionist born in Rio de Janeiro, considered one of the most recorded musicians of modern times. Playing over two hundred percussion instruments, he has participated in thousands of recording sessions, Grammy Award-winning albums, hit songs, soundtracks, radio...
- percussion - Nathan EastNathan EastNathan Harrell East is a jazz, R&B and rock bass player and vocalist. East holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of California, San Diego...
- bass guitar - Barnaby Finch - pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- Ed Greene - drums
- Paul Jackson, Jr.Paul Jackson, Jr.Paul Jackson, Jr. is a fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist. He was born and raised in Los Angeles. Jackson knew by the age of fifteen that he wanted to become a professional musician...
- acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Thomas McClary - guitar
- Sylvester Rivers - Moog Synthesizer
- Rick Shlosser - drums
- Deborah Thomas - background vocals
- David T. Walker - guitar
Production
- Lionel Richie - record producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
"Endless Love" & "Dreaming of You" - Vini PonciaVini PonciaVini Poncia is an American musician, songwriter and record producer.In the 1960s, Poncia formed a songwriting team with Peter Anders. An album of songs co-written by these childhood friends The Anders & Poncia Album, was produced by Richard Perry and released in 1969...
- producer "I Was Made for Lovin' You" - Alan Tarney - producer "Dreamin'"
- Peter Guber - record producer, soundtrack producer
- Jon Peters - record producer, soundtrack producer
- Charles Koppelman - executive producer
- Adam Fields - executive producer
- Brenda Richie - production assistant
- Jonathan Tunick - arranger, conductor
- Gene Page - horn arrangements, string arrangements, rhythm arrangements
- Harry Bluestone - concert master
- Reginald Dozier - sound engineer, mixing engineer
- Michael Mancini - sound engineer, mixing engineer
- Jeff Lancaster - package design
Sources and external links
- [ Allmusic Diana Ross biography]
- [ Allmusic Lionel Richie biography]
- Chartstats.com, UK chart history
- IMDB.com, Endless Love