Superstar (Lydia Murdock song)
{{Infobox song
| name = Superstar
| version =
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| type =
| artist = Lydia Murdock
| album =
| EP =
| language =
| English_title =
| A-side = Superstar
| B-side = Superstar (instrumental version)
| written =
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| released = 1983
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| label = Korova KOW 30 (UK 7")
| writer = Michael Burton
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| producer = Michael Burton
| chronology = UK
| prev_title =
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| prev_version =
| next_title = Love on the Line
| next_year = 1984
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}}
Superstar was a 1983 single for US pop singer Lydia Murdock. It was a hit for her in the UK and Canada. It also charted in the United States.
Background
"Superstar was written by Michael Burton.Apple Music - [https://music.apple.com/us/song/superstar/1545039705 Superstar, Composition & Lyrics] The song is an answer to Michael Jackson's hit "Billie Jean". The singer takes the place of Billie Jean and tells her side of the story.Song Facts - [https://www.songfacts.com/facts/lydia-murdock/superstar Superstar by Lydia Murdock]
It was released in the US on 12" on Team Entertainment TRS 3001. The flip side was an instrumental version.Record Mirror, July 30, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/83/Record-Mirror-1983-07-30-OCR.pdf Page 28 Discos from page 27, LYDIA MURDOCK:]
Reception
The single was reviewed by James Hamilton in the 30 July 1983 issue of Record Mirror. Reviewer Hamilton was cautiously saying that the song was the first female answer to "Billie Jean". The reviewer also said that the song was surprisingly rather good, and it had a nice story line.Record Mirror, July 30, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/83/Record-Mirror-1983-07-30-OCR.pdf Page 28 Discos from page 27, LYDIA MURDOCK:] Directly underneath was the review of "Valley Style" by T-Ski Valley which was a rap track also based on the same song.Record Mirror, July 30, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/83/Record-Mirror-1983-07-30-OCR.pdf Page 28 Discos from page 27, T.SKI VALLEY:]
It was reviewed by David Hepworth in the 15–28 September issue of Smash Hits. Hepworth quoted the words, "I'm Billie
Jean and I'm mad as hell", then he said that Michael Jackson had told his side of the story and now there's an answer record that had a near identical arrangement. He said that it could end up in court.Smash Hits, September 15–28, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Smash-Hits/1983/Smash-Hits-1983-09-15.pdf Page 19 SINGLES Reviewed by David Hepworth., LYDIA MURDOCK: Superstar (Korova)]
Airplay
=USA=
It was reported by Cash Box in the 1 October issue that Murdoch's single was getting played on V103 in Atlanta, WILD in Boston and WGCI in Chicago where it was one of the Hots.Cash Box, October 1, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-10-01.pdf Page 31 BMCK CONTEMPORARY, BMCK R/1DIO HIGHLIGHTS, V103 — ATLANTA — SCOTTY ANDREWS, PD< ADDS: L. Murdock; WILD — BOSTON — ELROY SMITH, MD, L. Murdock, Ex To 30; WGCI — CHICAGO, GRAHAM ARMSTRONG, PD, HOTS: L. Murdock]
According to the 7 October issue of The Gavin Report, "Love on the Line" was one of the Correspondents Preferred Picks in Black Radio.The Gavin Report, October 7, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/80/83/Gavin-1983-10-07.pdf Page 25 Black Radio (Editor, Betty Hollars), Correspondents Preferred Picks, SUPERSTAR - Lydia Murdock (Team)] Both "Love on the Line" by Murdock and "Only You" by Marilyn Scott were the only picks out of the nine who had been picks previously.The Gavin Report, October 7, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/80/83/Gavin-1983-10-07.pdf Page 25 Black Radio (Editor, Betty Hollars), Correspondents Preferred Picks, SUPERSTAR - Lydia Murdock (Team); ONLY YOU - Marilyn Scott (Mercury)] "Superstar" was also a highlight at KNOW in Austin, Texas, WBMX-FM in Chicago, Illinois, WDMT in Cleveland, Ohio, and WDKX in Rochester, New York where it was at #10.The Gavin Report, October 7, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/80/83/Gavin-1983-10-07.pdf Page 26 BLACK RADIO, Regional Highlights, Austin, TX (Ken Rush -KNOW), Lydia Murdock; Chicago, IL (Marco Spoon-WBMX/FM) Gns: Lydia Murdock; Rochester, NY (Andre Marcel-WDKX) #10 -Lydia Murdock.]
The single's airplay progress was recorded in the Radio & Records 14 October issue. In the Midwest it was on playlist of WCGI in Chicago where along with Herbie Hancock, Rufus & Chaka, Rick James and Anita Baker, hers was one of the hottest.Radio & Records, Issue Number 505 October 14, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1980s/1983/RR-1983-10-14.pdf Page 68 Black Radio Regionalized Adds & Hots, MIDWEST, WGCI/Chicago (J), Hottest:] It was also added to the playlist of WKWM in Grand Rapids, WWWS in Saginaw, and KMJM in St. Louis.Radio & Records, Issue Number 505 October 14, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1980s/1983/RR-1983-10-14.pdf Page 68 Black Radio Regionalized Adds & Hots, MIDWEST, WKWM/Grand Rapids, Frank Grant; WWWS Saginaw, Kermit Crokett; KMJM/St. Louis, Tony Gray] In the South it was added to the playlists of WOIC in Columbia, WPDQ in Jacksonville, WVOL in Nashville and WWDM in Sumpter.Radio & Records, Issue Number 505 October 14, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1980s/1983/RR-1983-10-14.pdf Page 68 Black Radio Regionalized Adds & Hots, SOUTH, WOIC/Columbia (J), Mickey Arnold; WPDQ/Jacksonville (J), Marc Little; WVOL/Nashville, Fred Harvey; WWDM/Sumpter, Kevin Flemming]
=Canada=
Along with "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive" by Men at Work, "Unconditional Love" by Donna Summer and "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel, it was recorded as a Breakout in the 6 October issue of RPM Weekly.RPM Weekly, Volume 39. No. 6 October 8, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/80s/1983/RPM-1983-10-08.pdf Page 13 BREAKOUT SINGLES] It was also at 5–15 on CKOI-FM in Montreal.RPM Weekly, Volume 39. No. 6 October 8, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/80s/1983/RPM-1983-10-08.pdf Page 13 COAST TO COAST SAMPLING, GUY BROULLIARD, CKOI-FM Montreal, 5-15 Superstar - Lydia Murdock (45)]
=UK=
On the week of 24 September, Music Week reported that it was a bubbler, one of the recent breakers now bubbling under the national airplay grid.Music Week, September 24, 1983 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-09-24-I.pdf Page 10 AIPLAY ACTION, Bubblers]
On the week of 29 October, Music Week reported that the single had gone up from eight logged in plays to ten on Radio 1.Music Week, October 29, 1983 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK//Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-10-29.pdf Page 12 AIRPLAY ACTION, RADIO 1, 10 (8) LYDIA MURDOCK: Superstar] It was also on the A list of seventeen stations in the South East, South West, East and Midlands areas,Music Week, October 29, 1983 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK//Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-10-29.pdf Page 13 Airplay Action, S. EAST, S. WEST, EAST, MIDLANDS] and the A list of thirteen stations in the North, Northeast, Northwest, Wales and Northern Ireland areas.Music Week, October 29, 1983 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK//Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-10-29.pdf Page 13 Airplay Action, NORTH, N.E., N.W., SCOTLAND, WALES, N. I.]
=Europe=
As reported by Euro Tip Sheet in the publication's 30 April 1984 issue, with her name spelt as Lidia, her single was one of the Best Moving Singles of the Week at radio station Europe 1.Euro Tip Sheet, No. 5 Week of April 30th 1984 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1984/M&M-1984-04-30.pdf Page 10 CORRESPONDENTS NORTHERN EUROPE- FRANCE, EUROPE 1 - Paris - Albert Ensalem- program director, Best moving singles this week: Lidia Murdock - Superstar]
Chart performance
=US=
On the week of 7 October 1983, "Superstar" made its debut at no. 36 on the Radio & Records National Airplay / 40 chart.Radio & Records, Issue Number 504 October 7, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1980s/1983/RR-1983-10-07.pdf Page 60 Black Radio, R&R NATIONAL AIPLAY/ 40, October 7, 1983, DEBUT> 36, LYDIA MURDOCK/Super Star (Team Entertainment) ] It held that position for another week before exiting.Radio & Records, Issue Number 505 October 14, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1980s/1983/RR-1983-10-14.pdf Page 66 Black Radio, R&R NATIONAL AIPLAY/ 40, October 14, 1983, Three Weeks _, Two Weeks _, Last Week 36, 36, LYDIA MURDOCK/Super Star (Team Entertainment)]Radio & Records, Issue Number 506 October 21, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1980s/1983/RR-1983-10-21.pdf Page 50 Black Radio, R&R NATIONAL AIPLAY/ 40 October 21, 1983]
It was reported in the 1 October issue of Cash Box that the single was one of the Records to Watch in the Jukebox Programmer section.Cash Box, October 1, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-10-01.pdf Page 39 THE JUKEBOX PROGRAMMER, RECORDS TO WATCH] The single also debuted at no. 85 in the Cash Box Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles chart.Cash Box, October 1, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-10-01.pdf Page 30 TOP 100 BLACK CONTEMPORARY SINGLES, October 1, 1983 85, 9/24 -, Weeks On Chart 1] The following week, it was still one of the Records to Watch in the Jukebox Programmer section.Cash Box, October 8, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-10-08.pdf Page 35 THE JUKEBOX PROGRAMMER, RECORDS TO WATCH] On the week of 29 October in its fifth charting week, it peaked at no. 47.Cash Box, October 29, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-10-29.pdf Page 44 TOP 100 BLACK CONTEMPORARY SINGLES, October 29, 1983 47, 10/22 53, Weeks On Chart 5] It held that position for one more week Cash Box, November 5, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-11-05.pdf Page 16 TOP 100 BLACK CONTEMPORARY SINGLES, November 5, 1983 47, 10/29 47, Weeks On Chart 6] before exiting at no. 97 on week seven on 12 November.Cash Box, November 12, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-11-12.pdf Page 24 TOP 100 BLACK CONTEMPORARY SINGLES, November 12, 1983 97, 11/5 47, Weeks on Chart 7]Cash Box, November 19, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-11-19.pdf Page 25 TOP 100 BLACK CONTEMPORARY SINGLES, November 19, 1983]
=Canada=
The single made its debut at no. 50 in the RPM Weekly 50 Singles chart on the week of 8 October.RPM Weekly, Volume 39. No. 6 October 8, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/80s/1983/RPM-1983-10-08.pdf Page 6 50 Singles TW 50, New, Wks (1)] At week seven on the week of 19 November it reached its peak position of no. 26 and held that spot for another week.RPM Weekly, Volume 39 No. 12 November 19, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/80s/1983/RPM-1983-11-19.pdf Page 6 50 Singles TW 36, LW 37, WKs (7)]RPM Weekly, Volume 39 No. 13 November 26, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/80s/1983/RPM-1983-11-26.pdf Page 5 RPM 50 Singles, TW 36, LW 36, WKs (8)]RPM Weekly, Volume 39 No. 14 December 3, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/80s/1983/RPM-1983-12-03.pdf Page 6 RPM 50 Singles]
=UK=
On the main chart, the single made its debut on 17 SeptemberOfficial Charts - [https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/lydia-murdock-superstar/ SUPERSTAR by LYDIA MURDOCK, CHART FACTS] and spending ten weeks in the charts, it peaked at no. 14.Official Charts - [https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/lydia-murdock-superstar/ SUPERSTAR by LYDIA MURDOCK, CHART RUN]
On the week of 24 September, the single debuted at no. 65 on the Music Week 7&12 Inch Top 75 Singles chart.Music Week, September 24, 1983 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-09-24-I.pdf Page 13 7 & 12-INCH TOP 75 SINGLES, This Week 65, NEW]
On the week of 29 October, in its eighth charting week, the single peaked at no. 4 in the Music Week Top Disco & Dance singles chart.Music Week, October 29, 1983 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK//Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-10-29.pdf Page 35 MUSIC WEEK TOP SINGLES DISCO & DANCE, THIS WEEK 4, LAST WEEK 11, WEEKS ON CHART 8] The magazine also reported that Murdoch and Curtis Hairston were serious challengers to Lionel Richie's single.Music Week, October 29, 1983 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/UK//Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-10-29.pdf Page 6 NEWS, Icing on Motown cake By BARRY LAZELL]
Award
Murdock's single won her an award. She came fourth in the Cash Box 1983 Black Contemporary Singles Awards New Female section with Diane Richards, Madonna, Alfie Silas and Pamela Nivens at 1, 2, 3 and 5 respectively.Cash Box, December 31, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-12-31.pdf Page 58 SINGLES AWARDS, NEW FEMALE]
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/master/139430-Lydia-Murdock-Superstar Lydia Murdock – Superstar]
- Lydia Murdock - Topic channel, Jun 20, 2019 - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZpvfXufa7Q Superstar (Radio Mix)]
- WiggyVideos2 channel, Jul 10, 2008 - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KRIlJuoNLs Lydia Murdock - Superstar (totp2) (video)]
- dertaubedj channel, Jun 17, 2012 - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSOeHyj_J5s Lydia Murdock - Superstar Original 12 inch Version 1983 (audio)]
Category:Korova (record label) singles
Category:Polydor Records singles