Description
She Works Hard for the Money is a studio album by the American singer and songwriter Donna Summer, released on Mercury Records in June 1983, manufactured and marketed by PolyGram Records. The album was recorded and mixed by John Guess at Lion Share Recording Studios, Hollywood Sound Recorders, and Rhema Studios in Los Angeles, California; with Michael Omartian producing and arranging. Donna Summer is credited with writing or co-writing every track on the album, mostly alongside producer Omartian (with Donna’s husband Bruce Sudano contributing to half of the song).
The title cut was issued as an advance single on May 10, 1983 to become Summer’s biggest hit since 1979. The single peaked at No. 3 on Billboard Magazine‘s Hot 100, where it also spent three weeks at No. 1 on the R&B chart with this success impelling its parent album, released June 13, to No. 9. The album also features the ballad “Love Has a Mind of Its Own”, a duet with Matthew Ward of 2nd Chapter of Acts, as well as “Unconditional Love” featuring the popular reggae sensation Musical Youth. (The latter song would receive a punk remodel when covered by Altar Boys on their 1986-album Gut Level Music.) Backing vocals provided by Summer’s sisters, Dara Lynn Bernard and Mary E. Bernard, as well as Matthew Ward and Roberta Kelly.
She Works Hard for the Money was included among the Best Albums of 1983 by CCM Magazine, voted number two on a list featuring eleven albums released from the last quarter of 1982 through the last quarter of 1983. – This pop package has spawned three hits, so far, including, «Love Has a Mind of Its Own», a duet with Matthew Ward. In his September review Paul Thorson said, “What a powerful combination: Donna Summer with Michael Omartian as producer and arranger. One of the hottest female vocalists in or out of the Kingdom, Summer has the unique ability to command inanimate notes to come to life. She gives them both pathos and ethos.”
The album track “He’s a Rebel” won a Grammy in the Best Inspirational Performance category at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, February 28, 1984. (The album’s title track was as well performed by Summer during the Grammy show.)
To realize how thoroughly disco died in the early ’80s, it’s instructive to note that Donna Summer’s hit single «She Works Hard for the Money» was trumpeted as an unexpected and triumphant comeback. However, it became a hit in the summer of 1983, barely two years after her last hit, «The Wanderer». Still, the change in sound is remarkable; the nine songs on this album are definitely post-disco ’80s pop. Producer Michael Omartian‘s bright synth sounds are a far cry from the krautrock-inspired man-machine rhythms of early Summer hits like «I Feel Love», and the songs – other than the overt Christian themes the newly born-again Summer was adding to her music – aren’t that far removed from what Madonna was doing on her debut the same year. The follow-up single «Unconditional Love» – featuring then-current one hit wonders Musical Youth – and the lovely ballads «Love Has a Mind of Its Own» and «I Do Believe I Fell in Love», are up to the standards of the feminist anthem title track. [Rolling Stone Magazine]
Donna Summer – She Works Hard For Her Money (Mercury).
The best thing about Michael Omartian’s production on this album is that he understands Summer’s voice as well as Giorgio Moroder did, but also knows how to turn that voice into a rock instrument, which Moroder didn’t. Consequently, all the charm and character that made the disco hits so lovable is here with bells on, which is good news. Moreover, Omartian realizes that the trick is not to surround Summer with gimmicks but with songs that suit her voice, and that the best way of getting those songs is to write with her. But the best news of all is that Omartian can tap in Summer’s Christian instincts without letting her turn maudlin, with results that are downright inspirational. She does indeed work hard on this one. [Musician Magazine (Rock Short Takes by J.D. Considine), September 1983, No. 59]
The music video for «She Works Hard For The Money» was directed by Brian Grant, who was one of the first directors in the medium, having done clips for Queen and The Human League that predated MTV. The video shows various women working difficult jobs – nurse, housekeeper, waitress – and then joining together in the end for a group dance. According to Summer, this was to show that they have overcome their challenges and succeeded. The video was very popular on MTV, airing a few months after Michael Jackson broke the MTV color barrier with «Billie Jean». Donna Summer became the first black female singer to land a video in hot rotation on the network.
The song was based on a true-to-life experience. Donna Summer was in Chasens restaurant in Los Angeles. She went to the bathroom and saw the attendant taking a nap with a small TV on. Donna startled the woman from her nap, and the woman told Donna she worked two jobs and was really tired. Donna thought to herself, “Wow, she really works hard for her money.” Later that night while at home thinking about her, Summer wrote the song in about 20 minutes. As well, the bathroom attendant from Chasens was placed on the back of the album cover, and the first line of the title song actually says her name – “Onetta there in the corner stands…”
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LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “She Works Hard for the Money” – 5:19
A2. “Stop, Look and Listen” – 5:46
A3. “He’s a Rebel” – 4:22
A4. “Woman” – 4:38
Side Two
B1. “Unconditional Love” (feat. Musical Youth) – 4:41
B2. “Love Has a Mind of Its Own” (feat. Matthew Ward) – 4:16
B3. “Tokyo” – 4:25
B4. “People, People” – 4:19
B5. “I Do Believe (I Fell in Love)” – 4:34
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Mercury Records. Later re-issued on CD. A Remastered CD version was released by Culture Factory in 2014 (The Legends of Rock Vinyl Replica Collection – Collector’s Edition Strictly Limited to 3000 Copies. Paper Sleeve Vinyl Replica. Remastered in High Definition, 96kHz / 24-Bit). Also re-issued as a Limited Edition 12-inch vinyl LP (1,000 copies) by LMLR in 2020, pressed on Yellow Translucent vinyl.
The July 1983 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Donna Summer.
She Works Hard for the Money, LMLR 2020, Pressed on Yellow Translucent Vinyl
“Unconditional Love” (MUSIC VIDEO)
“She Works Hard For The Money” (MUSIC VIDEO)
“She Works Hard For The Money” (DJ John Michael Peloton Remixes) EP, 2024
CREDITS. Produced and Arranged by Michael Omartian. Recorded and mixed at Lion Share Recording Studios, Hollywood Sound Recorders, and Rhema Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Recorded and mixed by John Guess. Assistant Engineers: Larry Ferguson and Ross Pallone. Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc and by Bernie Grundman at A&M Mastering Studios in Los Angeles. Concertmaster: Assa Drori. Photography by Harry Langdon. Art Direction and Design by Chris Whorf. Production Coordinator: Yvonne Garcia.
Musicians: Michael Omartian (Piano, Synthesizer, Accordion on track B5, Simmons Drums on tracks A2 and B1), Michael Boddicker (Synthesizers programming), Gary Herbig (Saxophone on tracks A1 and B3), Marty Walsh (Guitar – tracks: A1, B3, B4; Guitar Solo on track A4), Jay Graydon (Guitar – tracks: A3, B2, B5), Ray Parker Jr. (Rhythm Guitar on track A4), Nathan East (Bass), Mike Baird (Drums), Lenny Castro (Congas), John Gilston (Simmons Drums Programming). Horns: Chuck Findley (Trumpet), Gary Grant (Trumpet), Jerry Hey (Trumpet), Charles Loper (Trombone), Dick Hyde (Trombone). Backing Vocals: Dara Lynn Bernard, Mary E. Bernard, Roberta Kelly, Matthew Ward.
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