"I Really Don't Need No Light" by Jeffery Osborne

Song#:  1056
Date:  06/05/1982
Debut:  88
Peak:  39
Weeks:  15
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  Osborne had already experienced success as lead singer of the group L.T.D. That group scored three R&B #1's in the late 70s including "(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again" (#4 pop, 1977). By 1980, Osborne was ready for a solo venture and left the group. His self-titled debut was produced by Jazz/R&B star George Duke and featured contributions from top-notch musicians like Larry Graham and Michael Sembello. This single would become his first pop Top 40 entry while going to #3 on the R&B chart.

ReduxReview:  Osborne has such a great voice. It can be booming and commanding, yet turn tender and sexy on a dime. This first solo single tends towards the latter with its sultry groove. Although they ate it up at R&B, pop was a little resistant. It should have done a bit better but may not have been hooky enough to make headway at pop radio.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Osborne began his career with L.T.D. as their drummer and later moved into the role of lead vocalist. Osborne comes from a musical family (father was a jazz trumpeter) and his brother Billy was also a member of L.T.D. Billy also left L.T.D. for a solo career right around the same time as Jeffrey.

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