Private Dancer cover art

  Studio Album · No. 5

Private Dancer Songwriting Credits by Tina Turner

1984 Capitol 9 tracks 39 min

Produced by Terry Britten, Rupert Hine, Greg Walsh, Martyn Ware, John Carter

Capitol PopRockSoul
0%
Authorship
Singer / Performer

Holds writing credit on 0 of 9 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 0 / 9 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 9 tracks with documented writers, by whether Tina Turner carries a lyricist or composer credit.

0%
0 trackswritten by Tina Turner 9 tracksoutside writers
Tina Turner's roles on this album

Share of the 9 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist0%
Composer0%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

9
Tracks
18
Lyricists
5
Producers
1
No.1 Single
20 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1984
Released

Awards & Recognition 3

Grammy Award for Record of the Year (1985, 'What's Love Got to Do with It')
Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (1985, 'What's Love Got to Do with It')
Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance (1985, 'Better Be Good to Me')
Data Insight

Private Dancer made Turner a superstar, and it did so without a single song from her pen. The writers behind her biggest hits are all outsiders: Terry Britten and Graham Lyle on 'What's Love Got to Do with It,' Mark Knopfler on the title track, Holly Knight on 'Better Be Good to Me,' David Bowie on '1984.' The album is the high point of her interpreter model, proof that her stardom was built on the voice she brought to other people's writing.

Private Dancer is the fifth solo studio album by Tina Turner, released in May 1984 and the record that transformed her into a global star. Made with a rotating cast of British producers including Terry Britten and Rupert Hine, it reframed her as a sleek pop-rock and soul singer and produced the signature hit 'What's Love Got to Do with It.' True to her interpreter's profile, Turner wrote nothing on the album, fronting songs by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Mark Knopfler, Holly Knight, David Bowie, and Al Green among others. It won three Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, sold many millions of copies, and remains the defining album of her solo career.

Track Listing & Credits 9 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
I Might Have Been Queen
Jeannette ObstojRupert HineJamie West-Oram Jeannette ObstojRupert HineJamie West-Oram Rupert Hine Tina Turner (Lead Vocals)
2
What's Love Got to Do with It #1
Terry BrittenGraham Lyle Terry BrittenGraham Lyle Terry Britten Tina Turner (Lead Vocals)
3
Show Some Respect
Terry BrittenSue Shifrin Terry BrittenSue Shifrin Terry Britten Tina Turner (Lead Vocals)
4
I Can't Stand the Rain
Ann PeeblesDon BryantBernard Miller Ann PeeblesDon BryantBernard Miller Terry Britten Tina Turner (Lead Vocals)
5
Better Be Good to Me #5
Holly KnightNicky ChinnMike Chapman Holly KnightNicky ChinnMike Chapman Rupert Hine Tina Turner (Lead Vocals)
6
Let's Stay Together
Willie MitchellAl GreenAl Jackson Jr. Willie MitchellAl GreenAl Jackson Jr. Greg WalshMartyn Ware Tina Turner (Lead Vocals)
7
1984
David Bowie David Bowie Greg WalshMartyn Ware Tina Turner (Lead Vocals)
8
Steel Claw
Paul Brady Paul Brady John Carter Tina Turner (Lead Vocals)
9
Private Dancer #7
Mark Knopfler Mark Knopfler John Carter Tina Turner (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 22 contributors

TB
Terry Britten
Writer · Producer
On this album2 written
RH
Rupert Hine
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
AG
Al Green
Writer
On this album1 written
AJ
Al Jackson Jr.
Writer
On this album1 written
AP
Ann Peebles
Writer
On this album1 written
BM
Bernard Miller
Writer
On this album1 written
DB
David Bowie
Writer
On this album1 written
DB
Don Bryant
Writer
On this album1 written
GL
Graham Lyle
Writer
On this album1 written
HK
Holly Knight
Writer
On this album1 written
JW
Jamie West-Oram
Writer
On this album1 written
JO
Jeannette Obstoj
Writer
On this album1 written

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Frequently Asked Questions Private Dancer

Did Tina Turner write any songs on Private Dancer?
No. Turner has no writing credit on Private Dancer. Every song came from outside writers, including Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Mark Knopfler, and Holly Knight.
Who wrote 'What's Love Got to Do with It'?
It was written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, not by Turner, and became her signature hit and a number-one single.
Who wrote the title track 'Private Dancer'?
'Private Dancer' was written by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, one of several British songwriters who supplied material for the album.
How successful was Private Dancer?
It sold around twenty million copies worldwide, won three Grammy Awards, and turned Turner into a global solo star.
Who produced Private Dancer?
It was made with several producers, including Terry Britten, Rupert Hine, Greg Walsh, Martyn Ware, and John Carter.
What awards did Private Dancer win?
Its singles won three Grammys, including Record of the Year for 'What's Love Got to Do with It.'
Why is Private Dancer so important?
It was Turner's commercial breakthrough after years of struggle, reframing her as the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll.

Sources

Wikipedia: Private Dancer MusicBrainz: Private Dancer (release group) Cover Art Archive: Private Dancer Cover Art Archive: Private Dancer by Tina Turner