"The Other Woman" by Ray Parker, Jr.

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  0957
Date:  03/20/1982
Debut:  77
Peak:  4
Weeks:  21
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Since 1978, Parker had been fronting his group Raydio. He formed the group because at the time he didn't possess the confidence to pursue a solo career. After several hits including three pop Top 10's, Parker had gained the experience he needed to strike out on his own. His quest for a solo career and other issues within the group led to the demise of Raydio in 1981. Parker went on to record his first solo album called "The Other Woman" and this title-track single was issued. It became his first pop Top 10 hit (#2 R&B). The song did well enough to push his LP to gold status.

ReduxReview:  I think this song has been forgotten about. I haven't heard it in years. I remember liking it back in the day but I never bought it. I'll have to rethink that because this is a pretty tasty jam. Parker amped up the guitars for this song and with the sax lines and background vocals, the song pretty much rocks. Parker does not have the most forceful voice, so his more relaxed vocals could have killed this tune. However, I think his sultry take works just fine. For me, it is easily his best solo outing.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Parker was not the only Raydio member to step out solo. Jerry Knight recorded three solo discs and logged a few minor entries on the R&B chart. However, his biggest hit outside of Raydio came when he and Ollie E. Brown formed Ollie & Jerry. The duo recorded "Breakin'...There's No Stopping Us," the theme to the 1984 film "Breakin'." The single was a hit reaching #9 on the pop chart.

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