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Stacey Q
View on WikipediaKey Information
Stacey Lynn Swain (born November 30, 1958), known by her stage name Stacey Q, is an American pop singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. Her best-known single, "Two of Hearts", released in 1986, reached number one in Canada, number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten in five other countries.
Early life
[edit]Swain was born on November 30, 1958, in the Orange County suburb of Fullerton, California.[1][2] She is the youngest of three children.[3] Her mother, Joyce, bred Cardigan Welsh Corgis that have appeared in Hollywood films and television.[4] In a 1989 interview, Swain said she was three years old when she asked for dance lessons, but had to wait until she was five,[5] when she did classical ballet. In 1969, she became the youngest member of the Dance Theater of Orange County, a local company that performed at benefit shows in Anaheim.[4][6] She spent 11 years studying ballet and also learned flamenco dancing.[3] She performed at multiple Disneyland's Christmas Fantasy on Parade events. She studied at the Community Theatre of Performing Arts and the Wilshire Theatre of Arts.[1] She also performed in costume as the "Dutch Puppet", a name she used as a publishing alias during her early recording career.[1][4] She went to Loara High School during her sophomore year, but then transferred to Anaheim High School.[7] After graduating from high school in 1976, Swain joined the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, where she performed as a showgirl in her first year, and as an elephant rider in her second year.[1][3] Her first singing project was a Los Angeles radio spot where she introduced and announced programs while impersonating members of The Go-Go's.[4]
Career
[edit]1981–1984: Q, SSQ and Playback
[edit]In 1981, Swain was introduced to Jon St. James, the proprietor of Fullerton's Casbah Recording Studio, which hosted recordings for the bands Berlin and Social Distortion.[2][3][8]
Jon was a big fan of synth bands like Kraftwerk and M; when he met Stacey Swain in 1981, he knew right away that this impossibly stylish former Ringling Bros. elephant girl and veteran of the Disney Main Street parade possessed star qualities perfectly compatible with electronic music, a genre Stacey also adored. She was enamored of the obscure Japanese band The Plastics and The B-52's, and simply could not get over David Bowie. As a student of style, Swain could literally turn rags into a fashion statement. On one occasion she went to the renaissance fair in Agoura dressed simply in two large pieces of soft leather she bought from a shop in Anaheim.[8]
St. James was developing a synthpop group called Q, named after the James Bond character.[3][9] The band consisted of St. James on guitars, and Dan Van Patten and John Van Tongeren on vocoder and synthesizer. She served as the assistant producer on the band's four tracks for The Q EP when St. James realized they needed a vocalist for their first track "Sushi", which Swain provided as she had previously recorded demos at his studio.[5][9] She then became the lead singer for Q, although at that time, she still considered herself more of a dancer than a singer.[10]
In 1981, Q (the original project) was Jon, Dan and myself hence Jon Q, Dan Q and Stacey Q. Q, the original name of the project, references James Bond and the scientist responsible for all his high-tech gadgets.[10]
The Q EP received little airplay except on college radio. Its success led St. James and Swain to develop more songs.[3][8] In 1982, the group added drummer Karl Moet and synth player Rich West, but had to change their name because of copyright issues when producer Quincy Jones reportedly had "established use of the 'Q' moniker".[8] They renamed the band SSQ, which was inspired partly by a fishing endeavor where St. James "was fishing in a lake 'no bigger than a bathtub' and made a joke that the boat was the 'S.S. Q,'" and also that "SS" stood for Stacey Swain.[9] SSQ released their debut album Playback in 1983 under Enigma Records, which featured the single "Synthicide" that was also made into a music video.[3]
1985–1987: Breakthrough, Stacey Q and Better Than Heaven
[edit]In 1985, Swain signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. Using Stacey Q as her moniker for solo works, she released her debut single "Shy Girl". Her eponymous album later was distributed in cassette format to limited release. The album contained an early version of "Two of Hearts", which originally was released and performed by Sue Gatlin.[9] After her singles collectively sold several thousand copies, she signed with Atlantic Records with St. James as manager and the other members of SSQ as backup musicians.
She recorded the album Better Than Heaven in three weeks. Its title track was co-written by Berlin, "He Doesn't Understand" was written by Rusty Anderson, and "We Connect" was written by Willie Wilcox of Utopia[3] "Two of Hearts", its lead single, received substantial radio airplay, along with its music video on MTV, in the latter half of 1986. It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,[3] and the top 10 in several other countries.[6] The album reached number 59 on the US album chart, and was certified gold in Australia. "Two of Hearts" briefly was considered for a "Weird Al" Yankovic parody, but the songwriters declined.[10] She went on a U.S. and European club tour.[1]
The success of "Two of Hearts" led Swain to television appearances on talk shows as well as guest panel appearances on game shows The Gong Show and The New Hollywood Squares[3] She appeared as the character Cinnamon in the episode "Off-Broadway Baby" of the NBC sitcom The Facts of Life where she performed "Two of Hearts". In a follow-up episode, "A Star Is Torn", she performed "We Connect". Cast regular George Clooney made his farewell appearance when his character decides to join Cinnamon as a roadie.[3]
1988–1992: Hard Machine and Nights Like This
[edit]Swain released Hard Machine, the second Stacey Q album, in 1988. She changed her hair color from blond to red,[1] and adopted a punk rock-influenced appearance. The album had other producers besides St. James, resulting in a different musical direction. The single "Don't Make a Fool of Yourself" peaked at number 66 on the US Hot 100, with a remix by Shep Pettibone making the top five on the Hot Dance Chart. The single was featured in the Full House episode "D.J. Tanner's Day Off", where she briefly appeared as Stacey Q. The songs "The River" and "Another Chance" were featured in the cult action film One Man Force, where she also had an appearance.[1]
Nights Like This was her third and final album with Atlantic. Released in 1989, it also marked SSQ's last participation. Its first single was "Give You All My Love," and "Heartbeat", its second single, featured backing vocals by Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles. Its title track featured backing vocals by The Weather Girls. The musical style involved more experimenting with instruments such as Kawai keyboards.[2] She promoted the album with another national tour at various clubs.[1] On television, she appeared in an episode of Mama's Family in which she was a member of an all-female band called The Bonecrushers.
1993–1997: Stacey Q's Greatest Hits and Boomerang
[edit]In 1993, Swain released the single "Too Hot for Love" under the independent label Thump Records. The single was structured toward an early-1990s dance sound and featured sexually suggestive lyrics, representing another change in direction for the artist.[citation needed] Thump also gathered material from her first Atlantic Records album as well as tracks from Q and SSQ that never had been released on CD into a 1995 compilation album, Stacey Q's Greatest Hits.[1] Most of the tracks were either remixed or re-edited entirely from their original versions in an attempt to modernize them.[3]
In the mid-1990s, Swain traveled to Tibet, where she was introduced to the monastic dance and song of the Far East.[3] She also lived in Nepal where she studied at monasteries with Buddhist lamas and was trained in the ancient art of cham dance.[6]
In 1997, Swain released the album Boomerang, which reflected her experiences in Tibet, as well as her conversion to Buddhism. She also released a cover of a Janis Ian tune called "Tenderness", which reached number 5 on the Jamaican charts.[6]
1998–2022: Other projects and hiatus
[edit]Swain continued to be involved in various music and acting projects. She appeared in a gay-themed art film called Citizens of Perpetual Indulgence,[11] and had a "special non-sexual appearance" in Playing the Odds. She collaborated with director Geoffrey Karen Dior on the compilation album Porn to Rock and Dior's 2001 album S E X.[2][11] In 2000, she played the lead female character Yeshe Tsogyal in a production of The Life of Padmasambhava by the San Francisco-based Namsay Dorje Theater Company.[6] In 2002, Swain appeared in the "Identity Parade" round of the BBC2 game show Never Mind the Buzzcocks. She provided vocals for "Hear The Feeling", a 2003 single by Divine Frequency (Simply Jeff), that was used for the soundtrack of a documentary on raves.[6] She was the voice of Karin Kikuhara in the English-language version of Stratos 4, a Japanese anime series.[6] She provided vocals on the debut album of the Echo Junkies, a duo of former SSQ bandmates Jon St. James and Skip Hahn.[6]
Thump Records released another Stacey Q compilation in 2007. Queen of the 80s contained original versions of many of her solo songs as well as songs by Q and SSQ. In November 2008, she appeared on CBS's The Early Show as part of the show's 1980s flashback segment where she sang "Two of Hearts".
In 2008, Swain provided guest vocals for Hydra Productions, a songwriting duo consisting of Shawn Winstian and Shane Condo. Liquid, their debut album, featured appearances by dance-pop artists of the 1980s, also including Tiffany and Gioia Bruno of Exposé.[12]
In September 2022, Stacey's Better Than Heaven album was re-released with bonus tracks and remixes.
Discography
[edit]- Solo studio albums
- Better Than Heaven (1986)
- Hard Machine (1988)
- Nights Like This (1989)
- Boomerang (1997)
- Color Me Cinnamon (2010)
- SSQ
- Playback (1983)
- Jet Town Je t’aime (2020)
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Cavegirl | Brenda | |
| 1986–87 | The Facts of Life | Cinnamon | Eps. "Off-Broadway Baby", "A Star Is Torn" |
| 1987, 1989 | The New Hollywood Squares | Stacey Q | Celebrity guest, 3 episodes[13] |
| 1988 | Full House | Herself | Ep: "D.J. Tanner's Day Off" |
| 1989 | Mama's Family | Ciji | Ep: "Bubba's House Band" |
| 1989 | One Man Force | Leah Jennings | |
| 1998 | Playing the Odds | Chinese Food Delivery Woman | |
| 2000 | Citizens of Perpetual Indulgence | Stacey | |
| 2002 | Never Mind the Buzzcocks | Episode 1.3, 18 March 2002 | |
| 2003 | Stratos 4 | Karin Kikuhara | first voiceover role in anime dub |
| 2011 | RuPaul's Drag U | Herself/Makeover model | Episode: "80's Ladies" |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Stacey Q: Some Things About Her". Stacey-Q.com. Archived from the original on 2007-01-25. Retrieved 2007-01-31.
- ^ a b c d "Discogs Stacey Q Page". Discogs. Retrieved 2006-01-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Stacey Q: You Wrote The Book". Stacey-Q.com. Archived from the original on 2007-01-25. Retrieved 2007-01-31.
- ^ a b c d "Interview Intercepted Through Wire Tap – Joyce Swain, Mama Q." The Official Stacey Q Fan Club. Archived from the original on 2003-02-27.
- ^ a b ""AnOnYmOuS Flashback" at The Official Stacey Q Fan Club (dead site)". Archived from the original on 2003-02-27. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Stacey Q at MySpace". Retrieved 2007-01-31.
- ^ "Loara High School, Anaheim, CA". www.nndb.com.
- ^ a b c d "Shareef Does Like It (Even If It's Not Kosher)". Synthbeat.com. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
- ^ a b c d "Discogs Stacey Swain Page". Discogs. Retrieved 2006-01-24.
- ^ a b c ""The Stacey Q & A" at OldSchool4Life.com". Archived from the original on 2013-01-11. Retrieved 2007-01-31.
- ^ a b ""Stacey's Q & A" at The Official Stacey Q Fan Club". Archived from the original on 2002-10-23. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
- ^ poptoonz (6 May 2008). "Hydra Productions - Liquid" – via YouTube.
- ^ Donegan, Chuck. "My Game Shows, (The) Hollywood Squares". Illustrious Game Show Page. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
Stacey Q
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and family
Stacey Lynn Swain, professionally known as Stacey Q, was born on November 30, 1958, in Fullerton, California.[7] As the youngest of three siblings, she grew up in a family that fostered creative interests, with her mother, Joyce Swain, working as a breeder of Cardigan Welsh Corgis that appeared in various Hollywood films and television shows.[12] Swain's early exposure to performance came through familial encouragement, including local activities; in a 1989 interview, she recalled requesting dance lessons at age three, though her mother insisted on waiting until she turned five to ensure she was ready.[12] She attended Loara High School during her sophomore year before transferring to Anaheim High School, graduating in 1976.[13] Upon graduation, Swain chose to embark on a path in the performing arts, marking the beginning of her professional journey.[14]Early training and performances
Stacey Q, born Stacey Lynn Swain, began her artistic development at a young age through formal dance training in California. She started dance lessons at age five, dedicating eleven years to classical ballet. At age ten in 1969, she became the youngest member of the Dance Theater of Orange County, a local ensemble that performed at benefit shows in Anaheim, where she honed her performance skills in a professional setting.[12] Complementing her ballet foundation, Swain also trained in classical flamenco dancing, which emphasized rhythmic precision and expressive movement.[15] Following her high school graduation from Anaheim High School in 1976, Swain pursued opportunities in live performance by auditioning for and joining the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a showgirl.[16] This role marked her entry into touring entertainment, where she performed across the United States in elaborate productions featuring acrobatics, music, and spectacle. The demanding schedule of the circus—often involving multiple shows daily in different cities—built her endurance, stage presence, and ability to engage large audiences, experiences that later informed her approach to live shows.[14] Prior to and alongside her circus tenure, Swain engaged in initial forays into local theater and dance groups in Orange County, California, including roles that blended dance with dramatic elements. These community-based performances, such as those at Disneyland where she appeared as the "Dutch Puppet" in events like the Christmas Fantasy on Parade throughout the 1970s, provided early exposure to themed entertainment and collaborative artistry.[12] Supported by her family's encouragement of the arts, these formative activities solidified her commitment to performance before transitioning to music in the early 1980s.[15]Career
1981–1984: Formation of Q and SSQ, and Playback
In 1981, Stacey Lynn Swain, performing under the stage name Stacey Q, co-formed the synthpop band Q with producer and guitarist Jon St. James in Los Angeles. The initial lineup included St. James on guitars, Dan Van Patten on vocoder, and John Van Tongeren on synthesizer, with Swain serving as lead vocalist. All members adopted "Q" as a stage surname, reflecting the group's minimalist electronic aesthetic.[17][18] By 1982, the band expanded with the addition of drummer Karl Moet and synth player Rich West, but faced legal challenges that necessitated a name change to SSQ. The rebranding stemmed from copyright disputes, as producer Quincy Jones had already trademarked "Q Productions," preventing use of the original moniker. This evolution maintained the core synthpop sound while allowing the group to continue developing material.[18][17] SSQ's debut studio album, Playback, was released in 1983 on Enigma Records, marking their entry into the broader music industry. Produced by St. James and featuring Swain's prominent vocals over dense synthesizer layers, the album included standout tracks like the single "Synthicide," which highlighted themes of electronic alienation, and the title track "Playback." The record captured the era's burgeoning West Coast synthpop movement, blending catchy hooks with experimental vocoder effects.[19][20] During this period, SSQ built a modest following through performances in the Los Angeles club circuit, where Swain's dual role as lead vocalist and choreographed dancer energized audiences amid the vibrant early-1980s new wave scene. Her dynamic stage presence, rooted in years of performance training, complemented the band's futuristic visuals and helped establish their local reputation before transitioning to broader opportunities.[17]1985–1987: Solo breakthrough with Better Than Heaven
In 1985, following the moderate success of her independent singles under the Stacey Q moniker—derived from her earlier work with the synth-pop project Q—Stacey Q signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records, marking her full transition to a solo artist while retaining the stage name for branding continuity.[4] This deal, managed by Jon St. James, positioned her for mainstream exposure after the group's underground phase served as a creative launchpad.[17] Her debut solo album, Better Than Heaven, was released on October 17, 1986, by Atlantic Records, produced primarily by Jon St. James with contributions from collaborators like Keith Zajic and Kirk Henry.[21] The synth-driven dance-pop record, recorded at Formula 1 Studios in La Habra, California, captured the vibrant Hi-NRG sound of mid-1980s club culture, blending electronic beats with Swain's energetic vocals.[22] The lead single, "Two of Hearts"—written by John Mitchell and originally demoed during her Q era—propelled her breakthrough, peaking at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in October 1986 after debuting at number 89 in July. Internationally, it topped the charts in Canada and reached the top 10 in Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and West Germany, selling over a million copies worldwide and establishing Stacey Q as a key figure in 1980s freestyle and dance music.[3] Follow-up singles like "We Connect," released on November 28, 1986, further showcased the album's upbeat themes of connection and desire, though it achieved more modest chart success compared to the flagship hit.[23] The album's promotion amplified its impact through heavy MTV rotation of the "Two of Hearts" music video, which featured Stacey Q in colorful, dance-oriented sequences that epitomized 1980s visual pop aesthetics and aired frequently in the latter half of 1986.[24] She embarked on a promotional club tour across the US and Europe, performing at venues like the Beach Scene Festival in San Pedro, California, on August 3, 1986, to capitalize on the single's momentum.[25] Media appearances bolstered her rising profile, including live performances on daytime TV shows in summer 1986 and a guest spot on The Facts of Life where she performed "Two of Hearts" as character Cinnamon, solidifying her status as an emerging 1980s pop icon.[26][27]1988–1992: Hard Machine, Nights Like This, and television roles
Following the success of her debut solo single "Two of Hearts," which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986, Stacey Q released her second studio album, Hard Machine, on February 16, 1988, through Atlantic Records. The album marked a stylistic evolution toward edgier synth-dance and synth-pop tracks, incorporating harder electronic beats and themes of emotional resilience, as heard in singles like "Don't Make a Fool of Yourself," which reached number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. Other singles from the album, including "I Love You" and "Favorite Things," also received club play but achieved more modest commercial results, reflecting a decline from her earlier pop breakthrough.[28] Despite this, Hard Machine maintained a dedicated following in dance clubs, where its pulsating synth tracks resonated with freestyle and hi-NRG enthusiasts.[3] In 1989, Stacey Q issued her third album, Nights Like This, also on Atlantic Records, continuing her exploration of dance-oriented synth-pop with a focus on romantic and introspective lyrics.[29] The lead single, "Give You All My Love," a freestyle-influenced track, peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart and number eight on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart, underscoring her enduring appeal in club scenes despite waning mainstream radio support. Additional tracks like "Heartbeat" and "Incognito" contributed to the album's club rotation, fostering a cult following among 1980s dance music fans who valued its energetic remixes and Q's versatile vocals.[30] Overall, the album's chart performance was subdued compared to her prior releases, yet it solidified her niche in underground dance circuits. During this period, Stacey Q began diversifying into acting, balancing music promotion with television guest roles that leveraged her pop star persona. She appeared as herself in the 1988 Full House episode "D.J. Tanner's Day Off," performing and interacting with the cast to promote her music. Building on her earlier portrayal of the character Cinnamon in two 1986–1987 episodes of The Facts of Life, where she showcased her singing talents, Q expanded her on-screen presence with a guest spot as Ciji in the 1989 Mama's Family episode "Bubba's House Band."[31] She also took on a supporting role as Leah Jennings in the 1989 action film One Man Force, which featured two of her songs, "The River" and "Another Chance," from Nights Like This. These early acting pursuits, including auditions for sitcom cameos in the early 1990s, allowed Q to navigate a transitional phase in her career amid shifting label expectations and evolving dance music trends.1993–1997: Greatest Hits, Boomerang, and personal explorations
In 1993, Stacey Q released the single "Two Hot for Love" on the independent label Thump Records, marking a shift toward an early 1990s dance sound with sexually suggestive lyrics.[32][15] This track represented her first major output after parting ways with Atlantic Records in 1990, amid a period of creative reevaluation following the commercial peak of her 1980s synth-pop era.[33] By 1995, she issued the compilation album Stacey Q's Greatest Hits through Thump Records, which collected remixed versions of earlier solo tracks like "Two of Hearts" alongside selections from her work with Q and SSQ.[34][35] The release aimed to revitalize interest in her catalog during a transitional phase in the music industry, where major-label support for her style had waned.[33] During the mid-1990s, Stacey Q began exploring Buddhism after a six-week trip to Nepal and India, where she immersed herself in Tibetan culture, studied meditation practices such as drupchens, and connected with an elderly lama.[33] This spiritual awakening influenced her personal life and songwriting, shifting her focus inward amid broader industry changes that limited her commercial opportunities. She reduced touring significantly compared to her 1980s promotions, prioritizing introspective composition over extensive performances.[17][33] These explorations culminated in the 1997 album Boomerang, released on the independent ENo Records and featuring folk-spiritual tracks like "Tenderness," "Holding Onto the Earth," and a cover of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord."[36][33] The self-reflective themes drew directly from her Buddhist experiences, including rituals observed in Tibetan monasteries, marking a departure from her dance-pop roots toward more contemplative artistry.[17][33] Limited promotion included small-scale shows, such as a performance at Club Mesa in Costa Mesa, California, underscoring her emphasis on personal growth over mainstream revival.[33]1998–2025: Independent projects, reissues, and touring resurgence
Following her 1997 album Boomerang, Stacey Q pursued independent projects in the early 2000s, including voice acting roles in animation. She provided the English voice for the character Karin Kikuhara in the anime series Stratos 4, which aired from 2003 to 2004.[7][37] This collaboration marked one of her notable ventures into voice-over work during a period focused on selective artistic endeavors rather than major music releases.[38] The 2010s saw Stacey Q take a hiatus from significant album releases, though she issued the independent album Color Me Cinnamon in 2010, featuring original tracks and covers.[17] In 2020, she reunited with SSQ, releasing the synthpop album Jet Town Je t'aime on Synthicide Records.[39] Performances during this decade were sporadic, including occasional live appearances at events and smaller venues, allowing her to maintain a presence without a full touring schedule.[40] In September 2022, Cherry Red Records reissued her debut album Better Than Heaven as an expanded two-CD edition, digitally remastered with bonus tracks, 12-inch mixes, and previously unreleased material, celebrating its original 1986 release.[41] This re-release highlighted renewed interest in her early synth-pop catalog. A resurgence in her touring career began in the early 2020s, driven by 1980s nostalgia. She joined the Lost 80's Live tour in 2021, performing alongside acts like A Flock of Seagulls and Wang Chung at venues across North America.[42][38] The tour continued into 2024 with added meet-and-greet opportunities for fans. In 2025, she performed at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on August 24 as part of Lost 80's Live, delivering sets including "Two of Hearts" and "Insecurity."[43] She also appeared at the Hollywood Show in Burbank on June 7, where she performed hits like "Two of Hearts" and "Synthicide," marking the event's first live band performance,[44] and took part in the Ladies of the '80s tour on June 21 at Stage Red in Fontana, California.[45] However, in October 2025, she canceled her scheduled appearance at Living Dead Weekend in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, due to a medical issue.[46] Amid this touring revival, Stacey Q reflected on her career in several 2023 interviews. In a PopGeeks discussion, she shared insights on her anime voice work, the joys of rediscovery through tours, and personal growth influences like Buddhism.[38] Similarly, in American Songwriter, she addressed her evolution from 1980s pop icon to multifaceted artist, emphasizing resilience and fan connections.[17]Works
Studio albums
Stacey Q has released five solo studio albums, with additional releases under group names SSQ and Q.| Title | Release year | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playback | 1983 | Enigma (distributed by EMI America) | As SSQ; debut group album featuring lead vocals by Stacey Q. |
| Better Than Heaven | 1986 | Atlantic | Solo debut; includes hit single "Two of Hearts".[21] |
| Hard Machine | 1988 | Atlantic | Second solo album. |
| Nights Like This | 1989 | Atlantic | Third solo album. |
| Boomerang | 1997 | ENO | Independent release influenced by personal spiritual explorations. |
| Color Me Cinnamon | 2010 | Hydra Productions | Fifth solo album, self-released digitally.[47] |
Compilation albums
| Title | Release year | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stacey Q's Greatest Hits | 1995 | Atlantic | Collects key tracks from 1985–1989, including SSQ contributions.[48] |
| Better Than Heaven (Expanded Edition) | 2022 | Cherry Pop | Remastered reissue with bonus mixes and remixes of original 1986 album.[41] |
Singles
Stacey Q's singles discography includes 13 as lead artist, plus group releases, with peak positions noted for US Billboard Hot 100 where applicable.As lead artist (solo)
| Title | Release year | Album | Peak chart position (US Hot 100) | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shy Girl | 1985 | Better Than Heaven | #89 | Atlantic | Debut solo single. |
| Two of Hearts | 1986 | Better Than Heaven | #3 | Atlantic | Breakthrough hit; also #1 on US Dance Club Songs.[49] |
| We Connect | 1986 | Better Than Heaven | #35 | Atlantic | Follow-up single. |
| Insecurity | 1986 | Better Than Heaven | — | Atlantic | #1 on US Dance Club Songs. |
| Love or Desire | 1986 | Better Than Heaven | — | Atlantic | B-side to "We Connect". |
| Don't Make a Fool of Yourself | 1988 | Hard Machine | #66 | Atlantic | From Hard Machine; #4 on US Dance Club Songs. |
| I Love You | 1988 | Hard Machine | — | Atlantic | Remix version charted on dance charts.[50] |
| Don't Break My Heart | 1988 | Hard Machine | — | Atlantic | European single release. |
| Favorite Things | 1989 | Nights Like This | — | Atlantic | Lead single from Nights Like This. |
| Two Hot for Love | 1993 | Non-album single | — | Independent | Dance-pop single released independently.[51] |
| Trippin' Me Out | 2019 | Jet Town Je t'aime | — | Ever Records | Independent digital single, also on SSQ album. |
| Naked Eyes | 2020 | Non-album single | — | Independent | Digital release. |
| Two of Hearts (2021 remix) | 2021 | Non-album single | — | Independent | Re-recorded version. |
Group credits (SSQ/Q)
- Synthicide (1983, as SSQ; from Playback).
- Big Electronic Beat (1984, as SSQ; non-album single).
Filmography
Stacey Q, born Stacey Lynn Swain, has appeared in a limited number of acting roles, primarily in television guest spots during the 1980s that often intersected with her music performances, alongside minor film parts and later voice work in animation.[7][52]Television
- The New Hollywood Squares (1987–1989) – Appeared as herself in multiple episodes.
- The Facts of Life (1986) – Played Cinnamon in two episodes: "Off-Broadway Baby" (Season 8, Episode 4) and "A Star Is Torn" (Season 8, Episode 5), portraying a pop singer rival to Tootie who performs her hit "Two of Hearts."[53][31]
- Full House (1988) – Appeared as herself in "D.J. Tanner's Day Off" (Season 1, Episode 22), signing autographs at a mall in a storyline involving D.J. skipping school to meet her idol.[54]
- Mama's Family (1989) – Played Ciji in "Bubba's House Band" (Season 5, Episode 11), as a member of the band The Bonecrushers.
Film
- Cavegirl (1985) – Portrayed Brenda, a supporting role as the girlfriend of a bully, in this low-budget comedy; the film also featured songs by her band SSQ.
- One Man Force (1989) – Played Leah Jennings, a minor role in this action film starring John Matuszak.[55]
- Playing the Odds (1998) – Appeared as Chinese Food Delivery Woman in a special non-sexual cameo.
Voice Acting
- Stratos 4 (2003–2004) – Voiced Karin Kikuhara in the English dub of this anime series, marking her first major voiceover project as a quiet, distracted pilot candidate.[37]