How Could It Be
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = How Could It Be
| type = album
| artist = Eddie Murphy
| cover = How It Could Be.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| recorded = 1985{{cite web |last=Blest |first=Paul |date=2015-01-28 |title=Put a Boogie in Your Butt: A Look Back at the Musical Career of Eddie Murphy |publisher=Vice |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/eddie-murphy-musical-career-retrospective/ |access-date=2019-11-02}}
| venue =
| studio = Wonderland Studios, Joint Recording Studios, Soundworks Studios, Clinton Recording, Power Station
| genre =
| length = 34:53
| label = Columbia
| producer = {{flatlist|
- Rick James
- Aquil Fudge
- Stevie Wonder}}
| prev_title = Eddie Murphy: Comedian
| prev_year = 1983
| next_title = So Happy
| next_year = 1989
| misc = {{Singles
| name = How Could It Be
| type = studio
| single1 = Party All the Time
| single1date = September 23, 1985
| single2 = How Could It Be
| single2date = 1985
}}
}}
How Could It Be is the debut musical studio album by comedian/actor Eddie Murphy, released in September 1985{{cite magazine
| author =
| title = New Releases
| url = https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1985/1985-09-07-Billboard-Page-0023.pdf#search=%22columbia%20fc%2039952%22
| magazine = Billboard
| location =
| publisher = Billboard Publications, Inc.
| date = September 7, 1985
| access-date = November 27, 2023
}} on Columbia Records. It was produced by Aquil Fudge, with the exception of the hit top ten single "Party All the Time", which was produced by Rick James.
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Flota |first=Brian |title=How Could It Be – Eddie Murphy | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/how-could-it-be-mw0000650537 |access-date=2015-08-19}}
|rev2 = Robert Christgau
|rev3 = New York Daily News
|rev3score = (unfavorable){{cite news
| last = Wyatt
| first = Hugh
| date = September 27, 1985
| title = Can Eddie Murphy sing, too?
| url = https://nydailynews.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/135823126/
| work = New York Daily News
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev4 = New York Daily News
|rev4score = {{Rating|1.5|4}}{{cite news
| last = Hinckley
| first = David
| date = October 6, 1985
| title = PLAY TIME
| url = https://nydailynews.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/135823618/
| work = New York Daily News
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev5 = The Cincinnati Post
|rev5score = {{Rating|2|4}}{{cite news
| last = Nager
| first = Larry
| date = September 28, 1985
| title = Prince's clones can't even hold his guitar
| url = https://cincinnati.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post/135823202/
| work = The Cincinnati Post
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev6 = The Cincinnati Enquirer
|rev6score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite news
| last = Radel
| first = Cliff
| date = October 3, 1985
| title = Good Music Makes Good Neighbors
| url =
| work = The Cincinnati Enquirer
| location =
| access-date =
}}
|rev7 = Detroit Free Press
|rev7score = {{Rating|1|5}}{{cite news
| last = Graff
| first = Gary
| date = September 29, 1985
| title = Pop: Wonder's new album is worth the wait; Marshall Crenshaw's isn't
| url = https://freep.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/135823259/
| work = Detroit Free Press
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev8 = The Boston Globe
|rev8score = (unfavorable){{cite news
| last = Morse
| first = Steve
| date = October 3, 1985
| title = RECORDS
| url = https://bostonglobe.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/135823436/
| work = The Boston Globe
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev9 = The Gazette
|rev9score = (favorable){{cite news
| last = Hogan
| first = Dick
| date = October 4, 1985
| title = 'How Could It Be' a notable first singing effort for Eddie Murphy
| url = https://thegazette.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette/135823495/
| work = The Gazette
| location = Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev10 = The Buffalo News
|rev10score = (unfavorable){{cite news
| last = Allen
| first = Carl
| date = October 11, 1985
| title = RECORDS: SOUL
| url = https://buffalonews.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news/135823703/
| work = The Buffalo News
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev11 = The Commercial Appeal
|rev11score = (favorable){{cite news
| last = Dawson
| first = Walter
| date = October 11, 1985
| title = Big names add glitter for Yule
| url = https://commercialappeal.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/135823745/
| work = The Commercial Appeal
| location = Memphis, Tennessee, United States
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev12 = Gannett News Service
|rev12score = (unfavorable){{cite news
| last = Radel
| first = Cliff
| date = October 1985
| title = Murphy: a singer? How could it be?
| url = https://greenbaypressgazette.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/135823836/
| work = Gannett News Service
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev13 = The Honolulu Advertiser
|rev13score = (unfavorable){{cite news
| last = Harada
| first = Wayne
| date = October 26, 1985
| title = Taylor-made for listenin'
| url = https://staradvertiser.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/135823976/
| work = The Honolulu Advertiser
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev14 = The Canadian Press
|rev14score = (unfavorable){{cite news
| last = Lawson
| first = Michael
| date = October 1985
| title = No laughing matter
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/waterloo-region-record/135824046/
| work = Canadian Press
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev15 = Copley Press
|rev15score = (favorable){{cite news
| last = Welles
| first = Robin
| date = October 1985
| title = Record Reviews
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-newark-advocate/135824113/
| work = Copley Press
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev16 = Daily Press
|rev16score = (favorable){{cite news
| last = Farr
| first = Jory
| date = November 3, 1985
| title = Diana Ross' new album wimpy; Eddie Murphy really can sing
| url = https://dailypress.newspapers.com/article/daily-press/135824191/
| work = Daily Press
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev17 = The Morning Call
|rev17score = (unfavorable){{cite news
| last = Mule
| first = Bill
| date = November 9, 1985
| title = RECORDS
| url = https://mcall.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call/135824321/
| work = The Morning Call
| location = Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev18 = The Daily Oklahoman
|rev18score = (favorable){{cite news
| last = Davis
| first = Chuck
| date = November 10, 1985
| title = Recordings: Comedy
| url = https://oklahoman.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/135824603/
| work = The Daily Oklahoman
| location = Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev19 = Oakland Tribune
|rev19score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite news
| last = Kelp
| first = Larry
| date = November 10, 1985
| title = Eddie Murphy strong as singer
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune/135824690/
| work = Oakland Tribune
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev20 = Lexington Herald-Leader
|rev20score = (unfavorable){{cite news
| last = Tunis
| first = Walter
| date = December 18, 1985
| title = Choices numerous when giving the sound of music
| url =
| work = Lexington Herald-Leader
| location =
| access-date =
}}
|rev21 = Los Angeles Times
|rev21score = {{Rating|1|4}}{{cite news
| author =
| date = December 8, 1985
| title = STYLISH COPS, URGENT POP--A SHOPPER'S GUIDE TO THE TOP 40
| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-12-08-ca-14548-story.html
| work = Los Angeles Times
| location =
| access-date = November 26, 2023
}}
|rev22 = The Toronto Star
|rev22score = (unfavorable){{cite news
| last = Quill
| first = Gregg
| date = October 18, 1985
| title = REVIEWS
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star/161531383/
| work = The Toronto Star
| location = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| access-date = December 25, 2024
}}
}}
The album was a moderate commercial success, making it to No. 26 on the Billboard 200 and No. 17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Two singles were released: "Party All the Time", which made it to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the title track, which became a minor R&B hit. This studio album was recorded as part of fulfilling a $100,000 bet that Richard Pryor had made with Eddie Murphy that he could not sing.{{cite news | last=Holub | first=Christian | title=Eddie Murphy has not forgotten his $100k bet with Richard Pryor: 'He owes me' | date=November 30, 2023 | url=https://ew.com/eddie-murphy-not-forgotten-100-bet-richard-pryor-8409215 | work=ew.com }} In the album's liner notes, Eddie Murphy wrote the following "To Richard Pryor, my idol, with whom I have a $100,000 bet. No, motherfucker, I didn't forget."{{cite web|url=https://img.discogs.com/mCP1402b0gGyuFihPN1xUD6UGkw=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-4970058-1495250456-3317.png.jpg|format=JPG|title=Photographic image of record sleeve|website=Img.discogs.com|access-date=2022-04-03}}
In an interview in 1987, Murphy said: "My album could have been much better but it came out okay".{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXrrF63M9r8&t=140s | title=Eddie Murphy Carson Tonight Show 1987 | website=YouTube | date=3 November 2018 }}
Background
For this album, Murphy enlisted other well-known musicians to help him create his first musical studio album. The record has two Stevie Wonder produced and written tracks, "Do I" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses". There are also two songs that Rick James produced and wrote—the title track (a minor R&B hit) and the successful hit, "Party All the Time".
Murphy wrote three tracks on the album in which he also gets sole writing credit for: "C-O-N Confused", a disco track, "I, Me, Us, We", a Parliament homage, and "My God Is Color Blind", an anti-racism song. Murphy took an experimental approach to test himself in what he could do with music.
Track listing
{{track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Do I
| writer1 = Stevie Wonder
| extra1 = Aquil Fudge
| length1 = 3:56
| title2 = C-O-N Confused
| writer2 = Murphy
| extra2 = Fudge
| length2 = 3:41
| title3 = How Could It Be
| note3 = featuring Crystal Blake
| writer3 = Frank "Rusty" Hamilton III
| extra3 = Fudge
| length3 = 4:39
| title4 = I Wish (I Could Tell You When)
| writer4 = {{hlist|Murphy {{small|(words)}}|David Allen Jones {{small|(music)}}}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|Fudge|Jones {{small|({{abbr|assoc.|associate producer}})}}}}
| length4 = 4:28
| title5 = Party All the Time
| note5 = featuring Rick James
| writer5 = Rick James
| extra5 = James
| length5 = 4:12
| title6 = I, Me, Us, We
| writer6 = Murphy
| extra6 = {{hlist|Fudge|Mike McKinney {{small|({{abbr|assoc.|associate producer}})}}}}
| length6 = 4:41
| title7 = My God Is Color Blind
| writer7 = Murphy
| extra7 = Fudge
| length7 = 4:42
| title8 = Everything's Coming Up Roses
| writer8 = Wonder
| extra8 = Wonder
| length8 = 4:34
}}
Personnel
Musicians
{{Div col}}
- Eddie Murphy – lead vocals, background vocals {{small|(1, 3, 4, 7)}}, arrangements {{small|(7)}}, vocal arrangements {{small|(2)}}, piano and synthesizers {{small|(7)}}
- James Allen – drums {{small|(8)}}, drum programming {{small|(1, 3, 7)}}, Simmons drums {{small|(3)}}
- Gordon Banks – guitar {{small|(7)}}
- Roderick Bascom – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Crystal Blake – lead vocals {{small|(3)}}, background vocals {{small|(3, 8)}}
- Letitia Body – background vocals {{small|(8)}}
- Bob Bralove – synthesizer programming {{small|(8)}}
- Ben Bridges – guitar {{small|(6)}}
- Alvin Broussard Jr. – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Brad Buxer – gunshot sound effect {{small|(7)}}
- Anthony Clark – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Carlotta Clark – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Lisa Clark – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Dennis Davis – drums {{small|(2, 6)}}
- Billy Durham – background vocals {{small|(8)}}
- Dana Essex – background vocals {{small|(8)}}
- Ernie Fields – string contractor {{small|(2, 3, 7)}}
- Paul Freudenberg – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Aquil Fudge – arrangements {{small|(2, 4)}}, tambourine {{small|(6)}}
- Earl Gardner – horns {{small|(6)}}
- Larry Gittens – Flugelhorn {{small|(3)}}, background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Roddrick Gordon – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Cynthia Green – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Frank "Rusty" Hamilton III – arrangements, bass, keyboards, and synthesizers {{small|(3)}}
- Bruce Hawes – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Kenny Hawkins – guitar {{small|(5)}}
- Finis Henderson – background vocals {{small|(2)}}
- Rick James – lead and background vocals, arrangements, percussion, and drums {{small|(5)}}
- Keith John – background vocals {{small|(2, 8)}}
- David Allen Jones – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Jacque M. Kimbrough – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Derrick Lawrence – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Greg Levis – keyboard {{small|(5)}}
- Jeff Lorber – keyboards {{small|(2, 4)}}, synthesizer {{small|(2)}}, drum programming and sequencing {{small|(4)}}
- Bob Malach – horns {{small|(6)}}
- Lorelei McBroom – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Melody McCully – background vocals {{small|(8)}}
- Mike McKinney – acoustic bass {{small|(4)}}, drum programming and bass {{small|(6)}}
- Larry Menally – acoustic guitar {{small|(3)}}
- Roger Nichols – Wendell II drum computer programming {{small|(2-4, 6)}}
- Michael O'Neil – guitar {{small|(6)}}
- LaMorris Payne – background vocals {{small|(5)}}
- Philip Perry – background vocals {{small|(8)}}
- Paul Pesco – guitar {{small|(4)}}
- Greg Phillinganes – keyboards and synthesizers {{small|(1)}}
- Darryl Phinnessee – background vocals {{small|(1, 2, 4, 8)}}
- Greg Poree – string arrangements {{small|(2, 3, 7)}}, acoustic guitar {{small|(3)}}
- Keith Quinn – horns {{small|(6)}}
- Spartacus R. – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- William Rivera – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Dwayne Roberson – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Darryl Ross – Fender Rhodes {{small|(3)}}, background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- Levi Ruffin – keyboard and background vocals {{small|(5)}}
- Howard Smith – background vocals {{small|(1)}}
- Abdoulaye Soumare – synthesizer programming {{small|(1)}}
- Pam Vincent – background vocals {{small|(8)}}
- Freddie Washington – bass {{small|(2, 6)}}
- Michelle Wiley – background vocals {{small|(6)}}
- David Williams – guitar {{small|(1)}}
- Philip Williams – background vocals {{small|(1, 6)}}
- Joyce Wilson-Vincent – background vocals {{small|(8)}}
- Bill Wolfer – synthesizer {{small|(6)}}
- Stevie Wonder – arrangements {{small|(8)}}, rhythm arrangements {{small|(1)}}, keyboards {{small|(1, 8)}}, drum programming {{small|(8)}}, harmonica {{small|(4)}}
- Billy Young – keyboards and synthesizer {{small|(6)}}
{{Div col end}}
Technical and artistic personnel
- Larkin Arnold – executive producer
- Alvin Broussard Jr. – engineer {{small|(1)}}
- Tom Flye – engineer and mixing {{small|(5)}}
- Jim "Dr. Jam" Gallagher – engineer {{small|(2, 3, 6)}}
- Nancy Greenberg – art direction
- Bob Harlan – engineer and mixing {{small|(1-4, 6-8)}}
- Daniel Harlan – engineer {{small|(2)}}
- Rick James – mixing {{small|(5)}}
- David Lazerus – engineer {{small|(3, 4, 6, 8)}}
- Annie Leibovitz – photography
- Stephen Marcussen – mastering
- Jerry Solomon – additional engineering {{small|(3)}}
Charts
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=How Could It Be|artist=Eddie Murphy|award=Gold|relyear=1985}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Eddie Murphy}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Columbia Records albums