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Raindancing
Studio album by
Alison Moyet
Released6 April 1987[1]
Recorded1986–1987
GenrePop
Length39:22
LabelCBS
Producer
Alison Moyet chronology
Alf
(1984) 		Raindancing
(1987) 		Hoodoo
(1991)
Alternative cover
US cover
Singles from Raindancing
  1. "Is This Love?"
    Released: November 1986
  2. "Weak in the Presence of Beauty"
    Released: February 1987
  3. "Ordinary Girl"
    Released: May 1987
  4. "Sleep Like Breathing"
    Released: September 1987

Raindancing is the second solo studio album by English singer Alison Moyet, released on 6 April 1987 by CBS Records.[2] It reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and features the singles "Is This Love?", "Weak in the Presence of Beauty", "Ordinary Girl" and "Sleep Like Breathing". In the United States, Raindancing was released by Columbia Records with a different cover art and a reordered track listing.

Largely produced by Jimmy Iovine, the album includes contributions from various session musicians such as T. M. Stevens, Omar Hakim and Herb Alpert. The album was originally going to be titled Chasing Rain, taken from a line in "Sleep Like Breathing".[3][4]

A deluxe edition of Raindancing was released on 25 November 2016 by BMG.[5]

Background

[edit]

Following the release of her successful debut album Alf, Moyet decided to move to Los Angeles, where she stayed for nearly a year. The move to the United States had been prompted by Moyet's manager, who himself had found work there for a year and suggested she relocate there too. Once settled in Los Angeles, Moyet's manager enlisted Jimmy Iovine to produce the majority of the Raindancing album.[6]

The majority of songs that would appear on the album had already been written back in England. For some of these songs, Moyet teamed up with guitarist Rick Driscoll and keyboardist Jess Bailey. "Is This Love?" was co-written with David A. Stewart of Eurythmics while Moyet was living in Los Angeles. As a friend of Iovine's, Stewart had called into the studio to see Iovine, who suggested he and Moyet write a song together. To avoid problems with his publishers, Stewart's contribution was disguised under the pseudonym Jean Guiot.[6] "Sleep Like Breathing" was written by David Freeman and Joseph Hughes of The Lover Speaks. The duo contributed three songs to the Raindancing sessions, though only "Sleep Like Breathing" would be included on the album.[7] "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" was written by Michael Ward and Rob Clarke, and originally recorded by their band Floy Joy in 1986. Moyet chose to record her own version of the song for the album, but would later reveal that she only recorded it because she knew it would be a hit.[8]

Raindancing was released in April 1987. Continuing her success in the United Kingdom, the album reached No. 2 and remained on the chart for 53 weeks.[9] In America, the album peaked at No. 94, faring less well commercially than Alf.[10] Across Europe and elsewhere, the album was a commercial success. It topped the charts in both New Zealand and Norway.[11]

The album also spawned four singles. The lead single "Is This Love?" was released in November 1986 and reached No. 3 in the UK, while becoming a hit across Europe and beyond.[9] However, the single failed to chart in the US where it was released in March 1987.[12] "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" was the album's second single, released in February 1987. It reached No. 6 in the UK and was also another hit elsewhere.[9] It was released as a single in America in August 1987 but failed to chart.[13] "Ordinary Girl", the album's third single, was less successful commercially when released in May 1987, peaking at No. 43 in the UK and No. 22 in Ireland.[9] The final single was Sleep Like Breathing", a duet with David Freeman. It peaked at No. 80 in the UK after being released in September 1987.[9]

To promote the album, Moyet embarked on her only world tour. Although successful, Moyet would later describe the tour as "lack-lustre", while noting that it signalled her breakdown with her label CBS.[2] In 1988, the success of the album contributed to Moyet receiving her second Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist.[14] Despite the success of Raindancing, Moyet later revealed she was not happy with the album's American sound. Later recalling the album's period in 2007, Moyet felt that using an American producer and giving much control to engineers was a "bad move". Writing for her website, Moyet recalled: "I do like some of the songs but the conception of them was all wrong... what was written as jangly, English irony got the American session, pop treatment. I didn't involve myself in the 'sound'. I was driving on cruise control. It was made and not felt."[2]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[15]
Louder Than War7.5/10[16]
Number OneStarStarStar[17]
Record MirrorStarStarStar[18]
Reflections of Darkness7/10[19]
Smash HitsStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[20]
SoundsStarStarStar[21]

Upon its release, Fran Jepps of Number One commented on the "very enjoyable mix of moods" and Moyet's "much smoother and altogether more classy" vocals.[17] Chris Heath of Smash Hits considered Raindancing to be similar to Moyet's debut album, Alf, with ten "fairly polite pop songs", albeit with "less roaring singing and less emphasis on being intensely 'soulful'". He added, "Not that it's bad – most of it is in the same chug-along vein as the two singles, but it'd be nice if it didn't all sound so safe and predictable."[20] Jack Barron of Sounds felt that Moyet's "blue blanket voice has been smothered by chartland's sterile style fog", but added there are "some fine songs" despite the "distracting commercial sheen". He praised the singer's "utter lack of pretence, her lyrical directness and those occasional flashes when her voice unfurls once more", and noted the "wide musical ranges" on the "eclectic album". However, he was critical of Iovine's production, believing that Moyet's "individuality has been stifled by the values he's imposed", with "passion suffocated by lushness and fragility by a synthetic instrumental gleam".[21] Betty Page of Record Mirror believed there were "several average songs", with Moyet putting a "workmanlike performance on [those] that don't stretch her at all". She praised the "gorgeous echoing ripples" of "Blow Wind Blow" and the "highlight of the set, the gloriously sensual" "Sleep Like Breathing".[18]

In the US, Cashbox stated that Moyet's "disarmingly plaintive vocals haunt this inviting Jimmy Iovine production".[22] Billboard believed that the album, "laced with a high-gloss sheen by Iovine", "may produce the knockout for her".[23] Barry Walters of Spin noted how the involvement of "mega-mainstream FM guru" Jimmy Iovine had pushed Moyet into the "'Til Tuesday camp of semisweet pop", but added that "most of the originals triumph through Moyet's intimate presence, both as an intelligent songwriter and an anguished voice one never tires of".[24] Musician believed Raindancing "lacks the instant appeal of Swain & Jolley's intellectualized dance music", but added, "Though the performances here take a bit more patience to appreciate, they're no less rewarding; if anything, Moyet's interpretive gifts have grown, and Jimmy Iovine's understated production takes pains not to get in the way, which is why the likes of 'Sleep Like Breathing' or 'Weak in the Presence of Beauty' hold such lasting allure."[25] Jonathan Butler of People praised Moyet's "captivating voice", but felt that Iovine had "dragged her out of her element and into the treacherous waters of corny pop sentiment" by "mismatch[ing] her with too-fast beats that make Moyet sound frowsy and pedestrian".[26]

In a review of the 2016 deluxe edition of Raindancing, Helena Adams of Reflections of Darkness commented, "The purpose of Raindancing was clear: to establish Alison Moyet as the pop star across the big pond. [It] fits the bar of commercial albums back then, the overproduction provides it with a poppy freshness that Alf lacked."[19] Josh Lee of Attitude noted that "big choruses that demand to be sung along to don't come more insistent" than on "Is This Love?" and "Weak in the Presence of Beauty".[27] Gay Times writer Darren Howard wrote: "It's not that it's a bad album, it's just not very 'Moyet' in places. Having said that, it does contain the almighty 'Is This Love' and the beautiful 'Ordinary Girl' which both show Alison at her best."[28]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Weak in the Presence of Beauty"Michael Ward, Rob Clarke3:46
2."Ordinary Girl"Alison Moyet, Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll3:23
3."You Got Me Wrong"Moyet4:06
4."Without You"Moyet3:29
5."Sleep Like Breathing"David Freeman, Joseph Hughes4:22
6."Is This Love?"Moyet, Jean Guiot3:57
7."Blow Wind Blow"Moyet, Bailey5:46
8."Glorious Love"Moyet, Bailey, Driscoll4:20
9."When I Say (No Giveaway)"Moyet, Bailey, Driscoll2:55
10."Stay"Moyet, Bailey, Driscoll3:28
2016 remastered deluxe edition (bonus disc)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Is This Love?" (L.A. Mix) 5:21
2."Blow Wind Blow" (Long Version) 6:20
3."Weak in the Presence of Beauty" (Extended Mix) 6:05
4."To Work on You"Moyet, Robert S. Nevil4:15
5."Take My Imagination to Bed"Freeman, Hughes3:44
6."Ordinary Girl" (Remix) 5:36
7."Palm of Your Hand (Cloak & Dagger)"Dan Hartman3:53
8."Ordinary Girl" (Dance Mix) 6:29
9."Love Letters"Edward Heyman, Victor Young2:50
10."This House" (Original Mix)Moyet5:51
11."Love Letters" (Extended Version) 3:34
12."The Coventry Carol"Traditional3:26
13."Love Resurrection" (live at Wembley Arena, 1987)Moyet, Steve Jolley, Tony Swain6:21
14."Ne me quitte pas" (live at Wembley Arena, 1987)Jacques Brel4:45
15."You and Me" (Demo)Moyet, Dave Dix3:40
16."Let's Get Personal" (James Brown featuring Alison Moyet)Moyet, Hartman, Charlie Midnight4:28

Personnel

[edit]
  • See InfoBox for full producer listing
  • Associate Producer: Mike Shipley
  • Recorded & Engineered By Joe Chiccarelli, John Fryer, Robert de la Garza & Mark Desisto
  • Mixed By Jess Bailey, Alison Moyet, Scott Litt, Mike Shipley & Humberto Gatica
  • Mastered By Vladimir "Vlado" Meller
  • Richard Houghton – sleeve photography
  • Rob O'Connor (Stylorouge) – design, art direction

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Raindancing
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI)[51] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[52] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[53] Platinum 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[54] 2× Platinum 600,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Raindancing

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Raindancing is the second solo studio album by English singer , released on 6 April 1987 by CBS Records. It reached number 2 on the and includes the singles "Is This Love?", "Weak in the Presence of Beauty", "Ordinary Girl" and "Sleep Like Breathing". In the United States, the album was released by with different and a reordered track listing.

Development and Recording

Background and Songwriting

Following the success of her debut solo album Alf, which topped the charts and established her as a prominent artist after the dissolution of synth-pop duo Yazoo in 1983, sought a creative reinvention. Persuaded by her manager, she relocated to in 1985 for nearly a year, aiming to distance herself from past associations and explore new artistic directions amid the pressures of fame. This move marked a deliberate fresh start, allowing Moyet to immerse herself in a different cultural and musical environment while reflecting on her post-Yazoo identity. In , Moyet's manager arranged for her to collaborate with renowned producer , known for his work with artists like and , to helm most of the album's production. For songwriting, she partnered with guitarist Rick Driscoll and keyboardist Jess Bailey on several tracks, including "Ordinary Girl," fostering a collaborative process that blended her vocal strengths with fresh instrumental ideas. The project initially bore the working title Chasing Rain, evoking introspective themes, but was retitled Raindancing to better target the dance-oriented market and reflect its rhythmic evolution. A key anecdote from the sessions involved the lead single "Is This Love?," co-written by Moyet and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart (credited pseudonymously as Jean Guiot) in late 1986. During a period of isolation in her rented LA room, Moyet drew from personal emotional turmoil to craft the lyrics in a single night, while Stewart provided the melody; the track captured her vulnerability and became a cornerstone of the album's development. Throughout this phase, Moyet's compositions were influenced by soul, jazz, and pop forebears such as Aretha Franklin, whose emotive delivery and genre-blending style informed her approach to vocal expression and thematic depth.

Production Process

The production of Raindancing was primarily handled by , who aimed to balance pop accessibility with Alison Moyet's distinctive vocal depth by employing a sleek, radio-friendly approach informed by his work with rock acts like and . Recording took place in , following Moyet's relocation there for songwriting inspiration. Notable contributors included bassist T. M. Stevens and drummer Omar Hakim, whose performances added rhythmic drive to the tracks. Production decisions emphasized synthesizers to achieve a more polished, expansive sound than Moyet's debut Alf, while the album incorporated a cover of Floy Joy's "Weak in the Presence of Beauty," reimagined as a power ballad. Challenges arose from Moyet's vocal experimentation across genres like and Gothic ballads, compounded by a isolating studio environment where Iovine's frequent absences left her reliant on session players and engineers. The release by featured an altered track order and different cover art to appeal to American audiences.

Music and Lyrics

Musical Style

Raindancing embodies synth-pop as its core genre, blended with infusions of soul and R&B that lend a richer, more emotive texture to the arrangements. This marks a notable evolution from the new wave and synth-heavy foundations of Moyet's debut album Alf, incorporating broader pop sensibilities while retaining electronic underpinnings. The production, largely helmed by Jimmy Iovine, introduces a subtle rock-inflected edge, diverging from the smoother hi-NRG polish of earlier work by producers like Steve Jolley and Tony Swain. Key sonic elements include prominent synthesizers and keyboards driving the melodic structures, complemented by rhythmic bass lines and occasional brass accents for depth. Layered vocals create a lush, enveloping quality, particularly on mid-tempo tracks where Moyet's voice intertwines with backing harmonies. These features are exemplified in "Ordinary Girl," where bouncy rhythms and crisp percussion underscore the synth-driven groove. The album's production techniques, such as synthetic gleam and lush layering, enhance this cohesive yet varied palette. The production adds a grounded rock sensibility through integrated guitars and dynamic builds. Track styles vary significantly, with upbeat pop energy in "You Got Me Wrong" featuring dramatic synth swells contrasting the introspective balladry of "Sleep Like Breathing," which relies on gentle, atmospheric builds. Moyet's vocal delivery on Raindancing demonstrates greater emotional range and phrasing, adopting a more soulful and nuanced approach that highlights her contralto's expressive capabilities across the album's eclectic moods.

Thematic Content

The thematic content of Raindancing revolves around , , and personal , drawing from Moyet's isolated and tumultuous experiences while recording the album in . These elements are prominently featured in "Is This Love?", where the probe romantic illusions and doubt, with Moyet recalling that she penned them during a "really lonely time" in a "dark place," subverting the melancholy through structured subversion akin to literary . The song's captures the tension between desire and emotional fragility, as in lines pleading for without mental entanglement, highlighting amid relational uncertainty. Empowerment emerges in "Without You," where the narrator retracts hasty words in a , confronting and the pain of separation to reclaim agency over emotional dependencies. These motifs underscore a journey from vulnerability to self-assertion across the . Song-by-song highlights illustrate these narratives without overt , though Moyet's real-life disruptions, including a "f–ked up" home situation and fame-related trauma, subtly inform the introspective tone. In "Blow Wind Blow," resilience post- is depicted through a soothing, protective to shield a loved one from harm, blending dark intimacy with hopeful endurance. Tracks like these maintain emotional depth while steering clear of direct personal revelation. Compared to Alf, which leaned heavily on dance-pop escapism for lighter romantic tales, Raindancing conveys deeper emotional maturity through its more subdued exploration of relational complexities and inner conflict. Subtle feminist undertones surface in "Stay," where the lyrics stress independence by voicing unease with stagnant familiarity—"I have a horror of this place / Yet I'm accustomed to its face"—while awaiting transformative change without capitulation.

Release and Promotion

Album Release

Raindancing was officially released on 6 April 1987 by CBS Records in the United Kingdom. The album launched in standard formats including vinyl LP, cassette, and compact disc, all featuring the original 10-track lineup. In the United States, Columbia Records issued the album later in 1987 with modified cover artwork and a reordered track sequence to align with American market preferences. Promotion emphasized European markets, where the album built on Moyet's established fanbase, while the US rollout received comparatively less label support amid competing priorities. The release coincided with the start of Moyet's 1987 world tour, which opened with shows in the UK, including a performance at Wembley Arena on 13 May 1987, to capitalize on album momentum. Early sales reflected the success of her 1984 debut Alf, as Raindancing entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 2.

Singles and Marketing

The singles from Raindancing were released in a strategic sequence leading up to and following the album's April 1987 launch by CBS Records. The lead single, "Is This Love?", was issued on November 17, 1986, co-written by Alison Moyet and Dave Stewart, and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. This was followed by "Weak in the Presence of Beauty", a cover originally by Floy Joy, released on February 23, 1987, which reached number six in the UK. The third single, "Ordinary Girl", arrived on May 18, 1987, charting at number 43, with its B-side "Palm of Your Hand (Cloak and Dagger)" serving as a non-album track written by Moyet and producer Jess Bailey. The fourth single, "Sleep Like Breathing" (a duet with David Freeman of The Lover Speaks), was released on September 21, 1987, featuring a live version of "Love Resurrection" from Moyet's debut album Alf (1984) as its B-side, effectively re-promoting the earlier hit during the album's campaign. Marketing efforts emphasized visual and broadcast media to build anticipation and sustain momentum. Moyet performed "Is This Love?" and "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" on the BBC's , key appearances that boosted visibility on television. The music video for "Is This Love?", directed by Nick Morris, depicted Moyet in evocative, atmospheric settings and aired widely on and other outlets, costing over £35,000 to produce. Promotion also focused on radio play, particularly in the and , where tracks like "Is This Love?" received heavy airtime on stations such as to target adult contemporary audiences. Promotional tie-ins included partnerships with for European distribution and touring, alongside ' efforts to test the market through targeted radio and retail pushes. Moyet undertook a world tour in support of Raindancing, including European dates and North American shows, which helped expand her fanbase beyond the . These initiatives were coordinated with producers like , hired specifically to infuse the album with a polished, radio-friendly sound appealing to American listeners. The overall commercial strategy positioned Moyet as an independent soul-pop artist, distancing her from her Yazoo synth-pop roots by highlighting her versatile vocals and songwriting collaborations. This approach, supported by CBS/Columbia's global rollout, aimed to establish her as a mature solo performer capable of crossover success in both pop and adult markets.

Critical Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Upon its release in April 1987, Raindancing received generally positive to mixed reviews from UK music publications, with critics frequently praising Alison Moyet's vocal prowess while expressing reservations about the album's polished production and pop-oriented direction. Smash Hits considered the album similar to Moyet's debut Alf, describing it as ten "fairly polite pop songs" with less intensity. NME criticized the over-polished sound for diluting the raw emotion present in Moyet's debut Alf, particularly on tracks like "Weak in the Presence of Beauty," though Moyet's voice remained a standout. UK press like emphasized the soulful highs, with Chris Roberts praising Moyet's voice: "She has a voice that could melt glaciers," positioning her as a formidable presence in the pop scene. Overall, major outlets commended the singles' radio-friendly quality while noting the production's tendency to smooth out her bluesy roots. Gender-specific commentary appeared in several pieces, portraying Moyet as a trailblazing vocalist navigating industry expectations.

Retrospective Assessments

In the years following its initial release, Raindancing has been reevaluated in the context of deluxe reissues and digital availability, with critics appreciating its role in Alison Moyet's evolving artistry. The 2016 deluxe edition, featuring remastered audio and bonus material such as B-sides, demos, and alternate mixes, drew praise for uncovering the album's deeper layers. In a review of the edition, Helena Adams of Reflections of Darkness noted that the album's purpose was "to establish Moyet as a pop " and that it succeeded in delivering accessible pop with strong vocals. Streaming platforms have facilitated renewed listens, prompting updates to established reviews that emphasize the album's enduring elements amid its era-specific sound. AllMusic's assessment awards 3.5 out of 5 stars (equivalent to 7.1/10 user average), underscoring Moyet's timeless vocal delivery as a to the dated production choices, which now evoke nostalgic synth-pop rather than detracting from the material. Academic and fan-driven retrospectives in the , particularly those examining female artists, have spotlighted Raindancing for its subtle feminist undertones, including explorations of and in songs like "Ordinary Girl" and "Is This Love?". These analyses position the album as a key example of Moyet's assertive presence in a male-dominated industry, contributing to broader discussions on women's voices in . Within Moyet's , Raindancing is often viewed as a pivotal bridge to the more Hoodoo (1991), with its playful deviations from strict pop structures foreshadowing the later work's raw emotional experimentation and genre-blending. Despite these insights, critical coverage has gaps, notably in addressing the 2016 digital remastering's technical enhancements, which improve clarity and dynamics but receive scant detailed analysis beyond general acclaim for superior sound quality.

Commercial Performance

Chart Performance

Raindancing achieved significant success on the , debuting and peaking at No. 2 for multiple weeks starting from its entry on April 18, 1987, and maintaining a presence in the Top 40 for 35 weeks overall. The album's strong performance was bolstered by the success of lead singles, particularly "Weak in the Presence of Beauty," which reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart in March 1987. Internationally, the album topped the charts in , where it held the No. 1 position for two weeks in May 1987 and spent 25 weeks on the chart overall, and in , reaching No. 1 for five weeks starting in April 1987 and spending 17 weeks on the chart. It also entered the Top 10 in several European markets, peaking at No. 3 in , No. 5 in the (with 17 weeks on the chart), and No. 15 in . In the United States, Raindancing had a more modest reception, entering the at No. 94 in late and enjoying only a brief chart run due to limited promotional efforts. On the year-end Chart, the album ranked at No. 13, reflecting its commercial impact that year, while it maintained a sustained presence on European charts into 1988 through re-entries and ongoing sales. This chart trajectory contributed to the album's eventual platinum certification in the .

Sales Certifications

Raindancing achieved significant commercial success in the , where it was certified 2× Platinum by the (BPI) in 1987, denoting shipments of 600,000 units. This certification came rapidly, within months of the album's April 1987 release, driven by strong initial sales and high chart performance that propelled demand among Alison Moyet's established fanbase from her Yazoo era. Internationally, the album received further , including certification in by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) for 15,000 units, reflecting its appeal in markets. In , it earned status in from the (BVMI) for 250,000 units and in the from the Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers (NVPI) for 50,000 units, though these recognitions arrived more gradually due to staggered regional releases and varying promotional efforts.
CountryCertificationUnitsCertifying BodyYear
2× Platinum600,000BPI1987
Platinum15,000RIANZ1987
Gold250,000BVMI1987
Gold50,000NVPI1987
Globally, with estimates placing total sales at approximately 990,865 copies, underscoring its solid performance primarily in compared to , where U.S. sales remained under 100,000 units without . This disparity highlighted Moyet's stronger post-Yazoo following in her home continent, bolstered briefly by chart peaks that boosted visibility but did not translate to equivalent American traction.

Track Listing and Credits

Standard and Expanded Track Listings

The standard edition of Raindancing, released in the on 6 April 1987 by Records, features ten tracks produced primarily by , with contributions from other producers on specific tracks. The album's running order mixes pop and synth elements, with songwriting credits to and various collaborators including Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll, David Freeman, Joseph Hughes, and Jean Guiot. Durations are from the original vinyl pressing.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Weak in the Presence of Beauty"Michael Ward, Rob Clarke3:45
2"Ordinary Girl", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll3:27
3"You Got Me Wrong"4:05
4"Without You"3:27
5"Sleep Like Breathing" (featuring David Freeman)David Freeman, Joseph Hughes4:20
6"Is This Love?", Jean Guiot4:00
7"Blow Wind Blow", Jess Bailey5:47
8"Glorious Love", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll4:22
9"When I Say (No Giveaway)", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll2:54
10"Stay", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll3:27
The edition, issued by in 1987, reorders tracks to prioritize singles and uses the same core tracks as the version (including both "Glorious Love" and "Sleep Like Breathing"), with minor length variations due to mastering. This version totals approximately 40 minutes, with "Sleep Like Breathing" closing the album.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Is This Love?", Jean Guiot4:00
2"Stay", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll3:26
3"Glorious Love", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll4:22
4"When I Say (No Giveaway)", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll2:54
5"Blow Wind Blow", Jess Bailey5:46
6"Weak in the Presence of Beauty"Michael Ward, Rob Clarke3:45
7"Ordinary Girl", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll3:27
8"You Got Me Wrong"4:04
9"Without You"3:28
10"Sleep Like Breathing" (featuring David Freeman)David Freeman, Joseph Hughes4:10
The 2016 deluxe edition, released by BMG on 25 November 2016 as a two-disc set, remasters the original UK and includes a bonus disc with 16 tracks comprising extended mixes, B-sides, live recordings, and demos. This edition totals 26 tracks and features material from the sessions and related singles. No further reissues have been documented as of November 2025. Disc 1 (Remastered Original Album)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Weak in the Presence of Beauty"Michael Ward, Rob Clarke3:47
2"Ordinary Girl", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll3:24
3"You Got Me Wrong"4:06
4"Without You"3:29
5"Sleep Like Breathing" (featuring David Freeman)David Freeman, Joseph Hughes4:22
6"Is This Love?", Jean Guiot3:58
7"Blow Wind Blow", Jess Bailey5:47
8"Glorious Love", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll4:20
9"When I Say (No Giveaway)", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll2:56
10"Stay", Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll3:29
Disc 2 (Bonus Tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Is This Love?" (L.A. Mix)Alison Moyet, Jean Guiot5:20
2"Blow Wind Blow" (Long Version)Alison Moyet, Jess Bailey6:19
3"Weak in the Presence of Beauty" (Extended Mix)Michael Ward, Rob Clarke6:05
4"To Work on You"Alison Moyet, Robert S. Nevil4:14
5"Take My Imagination to Bed"David Freeman, Joseph Hughes3:43
6"Ordinary Girl" (Remix)Alison Moyet, Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll5:35
7"Palm of Your Hand (Cloak & Dagger)"Dan Hartman3:52
8"Ordinary Girl" (Dance Mix)Alison Moyet, Jess Bailey, Rick Driscoll6:28
9"Love Letters"Edward Heyman, Victor Young2:49
10"This House" (Original Mix)Alison Moyet5:50
11"Love Letters" (Extended Version)Edward Heyman, Victor Young3:32
12"The Coventry Carol"Traditional3:25
13"Love Resurrection" (Live at Wembley Arena, 1987)Alison Moyet, Steve Jolley, Tony Swain6:20
14"Ne me quitte pas" (Live at Wembley Arena, 1987)Jacques Brel4:43
15"You and Me" (Demo)Alison Moyet, Dave Dix3:39
16"Let's Get Personal" (James Brown featuring Alison Moyet)Alison Moyet, Dan Hartman, Charlie Midnight4:29

Personnel and Production Credits

Raindancing was produced primarily by , who handled most tracks, with co-productions by David Freeman and Joseph Hughes on "Sleep Like Breathing", Jean Guiot on "Is This Love?", and and Jess Bailey on "Blow Wind Blow". Associate production and mixing were provided by . The album's lead and backing vocals were performed by . Key musicians included on bass, on drums, on trumpet, Rick Driscoll on guitar, and Jess Bailey on keyboards, contributing to the polished pop sound. Engineering was handled by Joe Chiccarelli, Mark Desisto, and Robert de la Garza for most tracks (1–6 and 8–10), while John Fryer engineered track 7 ("Blow Wind Blow"). Additional engineering credits include and on select tracks. David Freeman provided guest vocals on "Sleep Like Breathing" (track 5). The 's cover art and were created by Rob O'Connor and Stylorouge, with variations for regional editions. Recording took place primarily at in .

Legacy and Reissues

Cultural Impact

Raindancing solidified Alison Moyet's status as a prominent figure in pop, highlighting her distinctive soul-infused vocals amid the era's synth-driven soundscapes and contributing to the broader evolution of female-led soul-pop. The album's blend of upbeat dance tracks and introspective ballads, such as "Is This ?" and "Weak in the Presence of Beauty," exemplified her ability to fuse emotional depth with commercial accessibility, earning her a second Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist in 1988. As a pivotal career milestone, Raindancing marked Moyet's continued independence following her Yazoo tenure and debut solo effort Alf, allowing her to explore mature songwriting while navigating label expectations; this period of commercial success ultimately informed her shift toward more artistic experimentation on the 1991 album Hoodoo, where she prioritized personal expression over pop conformity. In the 2020s, the album has gained modern relevance through waves of nostalgia, appearing in curated playlists and live retrospectives celebrating Moyet's four-decade solo career, with the "Alf / Raindancing" compilation surpassing 95 million streams on as of October 2025. The record's lyrical focus on romantic vulnerability and self-reflection, evident in tracks like "Ordinary Girl," aligned with emerging themes of female empowerment in music, fostering Moyet's long-standing resonance within feminist discourse and a loyal LGBTQ+ fanbase that has sustained her across decades.

Later Editions and Availability

In 2016, BMG issued a deluxe edition of Raindancing on , remastered from the original tapes and expanded to a two-CD set that includes the original alongside B-sides, 12-inch remixes, and previously unreleased tracks. This edition was packaged in a mediabook format for collectors, featuring additional and artwork. The album saw CD represses throughout the , such as a 1990 European edition by that maintained the standard track listing without expansions. A vinyl reissue followed in 2017, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and remastered in 2016. No limited-edition colored vinyl variants appeared in European markets during 2022. As physical formats shifted toward digital distribution in the , Raindancing became widely available on streaming platforms including , , TIDAL, and , often in remastered versions. These services provide access to both the standard and deluxe editions without requiring physical . By 2025, no new reissues or major updates to Raindancing had occurred since the 2017 vinyl pressing, leaving earlier physical editions as the primary collectible formats. Original and reissued physical copies are largely from primary retailers, though secondary markets like and Amazon offer them, sometimes at premium prices due to scarcity. Digital streaming remains the most accessible option, with no official site-hosted downloads beyond platform integrations.

References

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  26. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/alison-moyet-raindancing/
  27. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/alison-moyet-weak-in-the-presence-of-beauty/
  28. https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Alison+Moyet&titel=Raindancing&cat=a
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  38. https://www.sfweekly.com/music/fame-and-fortune-mean-nothing-to-alison-moyet/article_8212fd35-0f9d-5b0b-8a9d-ac43c8199fa4.html
  39. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/0s0rOb0gT2S9N0SDcjtPC4_albums.html
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  44. https://www.discogs.com/release/14395946-Alison-Moyet-Raindancing
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  46. https://open.spotify.com/album/3Nd7hLMDdgniuc4o8XRXwU
  47. https://music.apple.com/us/album/raindancing/212093742
  48. https://www.ebay.com/itm/376592331462
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