"Caught Up in the Rapture" by Anita Baker

Song#:  2948
Date:  11/29/1986
Debut:  93
Peak:  37
Weeks:  18
Genre:  R&B, Adult Contemporary, Quiet Storm



Pop Bits:  Baker's "Sweet Love" would be her breakthrough hit reaching #2 R&B, #3 AC, and #8 Pop. It was the second single from her second album Rapture. For a follow-up, this next track was selected. Once again, R&B and AC ate it up and it became a Top 10 hit on both charts (#6 and #9, respectively). However, the sleek ballad couldn't quite push through the din of other songs on the Pop chart and it could only crack the Top 40. Still, the tune would keep sales of the album going, It had already been certified platinum in October of '86 and a year later it would go triple-platinum. By 1994 it would reach five million in sales.

ReduxReview:  This silky smooth jam is just gorgeous. Right from the start it set a romantic tone that was perfect for an evening by the fireplace with a bottle of wine. Baker sold the song in a very effective way starting with her little "buh-buh-boya-buh-buh" melody line and then continuing on in such a relaxed manner that she practically sounded drugged (or drunk on wine n' love). Her chilled out performance fit the song perfectly. The single was a solid fit for R&B and AC, but I think the storm was just a bit too quiet for Pop. It was a mature tune that wasn't going to attract a younger audience who were clamoring for Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Bon Jovi. Still, it's a beautiful track that sounds just as good now as it did back in the day.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Baker's Rapture album was a consistent seller for a long period of time. Although it would only reach #11 at Pop, it would stay on the chart for 157 weeks (just over three years). Because of that, the LP made it to the year-end album chart for three years in a row. In 1986, it made the list at #59. The following year would be its peak time and it ended up at #9 for the year. It continued to sell in '88 and was able to finish the year at #51. The album would peak at #1 on the R&B chart for three weeks and remain on the chart for 108 weeks.

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