AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Charlene

Artist:Charlene

Song:I've Never Been to Me

Album:The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

When I've Never Been to Me was first released in 1977, it fizzled. Then in 1982, it came out of nowhere to be a top five hit. The story of how it became a hit is pretty funny especially if you know the radio business. Though this song is perceived as a one hit wonder, some of Charlene's other songs charted so technically it's not a one hit wonder. Charlene D'Angelo was born June 1, 1950 in Los Angeles. She signed with Motown in 1973. By this time, Motown had moved to Los Angeles. They released a couple of singles that went nowhere. And then they released the 1976 album Charlene on Prodigal Records. Prodigal was formerly known as Rare Earth Records. Any white Motown artists were released on that label. Three singles barely charted including I've Never Been to Me. In 1977, Motown released a reworked version of Charlene called Songs of Love and that didn't sell either. Charlene recorded a 1978 album but Motown never released it and then they released her. This all changed in 1982 when I've Never Been to Me reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Motown had to re-release the 1976 album with a new cover. The story goes that Tampa radio station WRBQ DJ Scott Shannon played I've Never Been to Me at the behest of his girlfriend. Listener response was so good that Shannon phoned his former boss at Motown Jay Lasker and they tracked down Charlene and signed her to a new contract. Charlene was living in England by this time. The original 1976 album was written and produced by Ron Miller and Kenneth Hirsch. Miller was the only white staff songwriter at Motown. He has written several songs for Stevie Wonder including For Once in my Life. Hirsch is Miller's frequent songwriting partner. I've Never Been to Me was his biggest hit. Don Costa wrote the arrangements. I've Never Been to Me was Charlene's biggest hit. You may have heard it in the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The soundtrack album is available as a budget CD. Charlene convinced Motown to let her record the 1982 gospel album The Sky's the Limit. The 1984 album Hit & Run Lover was a disco album. After an appearance in the 1985 Motown produced film The Last Dragon, they released her. Since then Charlene has occasionally released music on her own label. She is yet another artist known for one big hit. And as I always say, one big hit is better than none. Here's the video for I've Never Been to Me by Charlene.