Suddenly

iTunes Editors’ Notes

Billy Ocean had been bouncing around the U.K. for more than 10 years before he became an overnight success with the release of 1984’s Suddenly. “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)” was a perfect song for the Miami Vice era. It was as persuasively catchy as Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” but with added international flair. Most importantly, the cross-cultural Ocean had a one-of-a-kind voice that could play in any country but would never be mistaken for another singer. Following its hit single, the remaining tracks on Suddenly borrow from the American electro-funk of Prince and Mtume, but with a light touch that was perfectly suited to Ocean’s silky but quirky vocals. In the same way that Ocean had connections to multiple countries, he could connect to multiple genres, from funk (“Lucky Man”) to new wave (“Loverboy”) to adult-oriented ballads (“Suddenly”). Suddenly made its way onto many playlists of the era because Ocean was an original with genuine life experience, and that authenticity was reflected in his music.