Patti LaBelle – Winner In You

Patti LaBelle – Winner In You

A landmark release in Patti LaBelle's solo career, Patti LaBelle – Winner In You is her eighth studio album and one of the defining R&B and soul records of the mid-1980s. Originally released in 1986 on MCA Records, the album combines LaBelle's unmistakable powerhouse vocals with polished contemporary R&B, soul and adult contemporary production, showcasing the singer at the height of her solo breakthrough.

The centrepiece is undoubtedly “On My Own,” the unforgettable duet with Michael McDonald. Written and produced by legendary songwriting and production team Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, the song became one of LaBelle's biggest career successes, reaching No. 1 in the US and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. Its dramatic vocal interplay and sophisticated arrangement remain instantly recognisable examples of 1980s pop-soul.

Winner In You was much more than a vehicle for one hit. The album opens with the socially conscious “Oh, People,” another successful single which reached the Top 30 in both the US and UK, while tracks such as “Kiss Away The Pain,” “Twisted,” “You're Mine Tonight” and “Finally We're Back Together” demonstrate LaBelle's ability to move effortlessly between romantic ballads, contemporary soul and sophisticated R&B.

The album was a major commercial achievement for LaBelle, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 as well as the US R&B albums chart. It became her best-selling album and earned Platinum certification in the United States, firmly establishing her as a major solo artist after years of success with Labelle and her earlier solo releases.

Produced by a prestigious collection of musicians and producers including Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson and Richard Perry, Winner In You captures the glossy, sophisticated sound of mid-1980s soul while leaving plenty of room for LaBelle's extraordinary vocal personality.

For collectors of Patti LaBelle, 1980s soul, classic R&B, contemporary R&B and sophisticated pop-soul, Winner In You is an essential album — particularly for fans of the classic Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald duet “On My Own.”

Tracklist

Side A

1. Oh, People – 5:19
2. On My Own – 4:50
3. Something Special (Is Gonna Happen Tonight) – 4:58
4. Kiss Away The Pain – 4:28
5. Twisted – 3:54

Side B

1. You're Mine Tonight – 3:38
2. Finally We're Back Together – 5:49
3. Beat My Heart Like A Drum – 3:50
4. Sleep With Me Tonight – 3:44
5. There's A Winner In You – 4:18