DONNA SUMMER (THE POST DISCO ERA, THE 80S)

THE WANDERER

"The Wanderer" is the lead single from her 1980 album of the same name. This release marked her transition to Geffen Records, departing from her previous label Casablanca Records. Despite the label change, Summer maintained her collaboration with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, renowned producers behind many of her late 1970s hits. However, "The Wanderer" showcased a departure in style for the Queen of Disco, incorporating new wave-inspired synth riffs and a dynamic shuffling beat.

The single soared to success in the United States, securing the number three spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three consecutive weeks. The song's narrative follows Summer in character as a woman unbound by societal constraints; she seeks adventure and thrives on the open road, eschewing the mundane aspects of everyday life.

A music video accompanied the song, featuring scenes of Summer hitchhiking juxtaposed with shots of her passionately performing while adorned with oversized headphones. 

DINNER WITH GERSHWIN 

"Dinner with Gershwin" is a track penned by Brenda Russell and collaboratively produced by Russell and Richard Perry. The song debuted on August 14, 1987, serving as the lead single from Summer's 13th studio album, "All Systems Go" (1987), under Geffen Records.

"Dinner with Gershwin" stood out as a notable track. It marked Summer's final top ten entry on the Hot R&B Singles chart, reaching number ten and rekindling her presence on the chart since 1983's "Unconditional Love." Despite this success, the song failed to crack the top forty on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 48, making it her first lead single since 1978 to miss the top forty. Conversely, the track fared better in the UK, propelled by Summer's inaugural appearance on Top of the Pops on November 19, 1987, resulting in a peak position of number 13 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Dinner with Gershwin" stands out as a captivating and unique piece within the late 1980s pop landscape. Donna's impeccable delivery, coupled with the song's evocative lyrics and dynamic composition, solidified it as a standout in her post-Giorgio Moroder career.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

"Unconditional Love" stands as the second single from Donna Summer's eleventh studio album, "She Works Hard for the Money", released by Mercury Records in August 1983. Penned by Summer and Michael Omartian, and produced solely by Omartian, the track also features uncredited vocals by British reggae group Musical Youth.

Despite its moderate success on the charts, "Unconditional Love" achieved a peak position of #43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #40 on the Cashbox chart in the United States. However, its performance soared on the R&B chart, securing a coveted spot in the Top Ten. In the UK, the song continued Summer's streak of success, becoming her fourteenth Top 20 single and reaching a peak position of No.14 on the UK Singles Chart.

In the music video Donna Summer assumes the role of a school teacher, with the reggae ensemble Musical Youth portrayed as members of her class. As the video progresses, after the class concludes, Summer sheds her heavy fur coat, unveiling a striking tight blue glittery nightclub singer outfit. Stepping outside, she engages in a vibrant performance alongside all the students from the school. The video was filmed at Bonner Hill Road Girls School before its demolition.

COLD LOVE

"Cold Love" stands as the second single from Donna Summer's album "The Wanderer." The song, crafted by Harold Faltermeyer, Keith Forsey, and Pete Bellotte, was produced by Bellotte and Giorgio Moroder. It reached a peak position of No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 44 in the UK Singles chart.

Notably, Summer received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for her rendition of "Cold Love." The track's vocal style diverges from her preceding single, "The Wanderer," and echoes her iconic 1979 disco hit "Hot Stuff," characterized by powerful belting and a hard rock approach. This stylistic shift mirrored trends in the early 1980s, reminiscent of female vocalists from bands such as Heart and Pat Benatar.

THIS TIME I KNOW IT’S FOR REAL

"This Time I Know It's for Real" is the debut single from her 14th studio album, "Another Place and Time" (1989), released under Atlantic Records and Warner Bros. Records on February 13, 1989. The song, along with the entirety of the album, was crafted and produced by the British Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) team, although Summer contributed to the songwriting process.

In the United Kingdom, "This Time I Know It's for Real" became Summer's most significant chart success since 1979, ascending to number three and maintaining a presence on the UK Singles Chart top 75 for 14 weeks. Similarly, in the United States and Canada, the track achieved considerable acclaim, peaking at number seven on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian charts. Notably, this single marked Summer's 14th and final top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the last top-40 hit of her illustrious career. 

"This Time I Know It's for Real" reflects a departure from Donna Summer's earlier sexually charged songs, showcasing a more wholesome and earnest expression of love and devotion. In the song, Summer exudes a sense of conviction and urgency as she professes her belief that she's finally found the love of her life. She conveys a willingness to go to great lengths to ensure that her message reaches her beloved, whether it's by walking a tightrope, shouting through a megaphone, or even making it onto the news.