SOTD - you're a discontented mother and a regimented wife...

Charlene - "I've Never Been To Me"

from the album I've Never Been To Me (1982)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3 (three weeks)

Today's Song of The Day is by soft-pop singer Charlene (nee D'Angelo, then Duncan, then Oliver), who had one of the first 80's "revival" records with her hit "I've Never Been To Me". The song was originally released back in 1977, where it scraped the bottom of the pop chart, peaking at #97. Five years later, with the help of DJ Scott Shannon, the song's popularity spread like wildfire, putting her in the US top-3 and having a number-one record in Britain, where she was now living. And fortunately, it restored the controversial-for-its-time lyrics and bridge.

Her record was rereleased by Motown, and she was so far removed from what the label was doing, that I'm not sure they knew what to do with her. Her followup record featured a duet with Stevie Wonder, but that didn't even make the top-40. It's a shame, since the I've Never Been To Me album is really good for that kind of music, and it's out of print and hard to find (I had to pay a pretty penny a copy). However, the song had a resurgence courtesy of Australian camp classic Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, where it was showcased in the opening scene..

"I've Never Been To Me" was written by Ron Miller and Ken Hirsch, and originally was in a man's perspective, which was covered by the likes of the Temptations.

In 1992 British alt-rock band Ned's Atomic Dustbin did a wacked out rave cover of the song..

And Charlene herself guested on a dance remix of the track.

This still remains one of my favorite "Guilty Pleasure" songs.

Tomorrow: 4/20's musical leader does the King.