Cherrelle

Cheryl Anne Norton (born October 13, 1958),[1] better known by her stage name Cherrelle, is an American R&B singer and songwriter who gained fame in the mid-1980s. Her signature hits include "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On", "Where Do I Run To", "Everything I Miss at Home", and duets with R&B singer Alexander O'Neal such as "Saturday Love"[2] and "Never Knew Love Like This, as well as "Always" with her cousin Pebbles.[3]

Cherrelle
Birth nameCheryl Ann Norton
Born (1958-10-13) October 13, 1958[1]
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1983–present
Labels
Associated acts

Biography

Cherrelle began her career working with jazz/R&B artists Norman Connors and Michael Henderson, as well as touring with Luther Vandross. After Tabu Records founder Clarence Avant heard her demo, he signed her to Tabu Records in 1983. Cherrelle decided on her stage name after a boss from a previous job hollered "Cher-relle, you're late again!"[1]

In 1984, under the production of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Cherrelle released her debut album, Fragile. It featured her first R&B top ten single, "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On". That song (with a music video homage to the film King Kong, featuring Cherrelle as the beast's love interest) was covered about a year later by pop singer Robert Palmer on his 1985 album Riptide. It was also covered by Mariah Carey for her 2001 soundtrack album Glitter using the same instrumental track.

Cherrelle's follow-up album, High Priority, was certified gold and produced the Top 40 hit and the #2 R&B hit "Saturday Love"; a duet with Alexander O'Neal, it would also land in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 6.[4] Cherrelle and O'Neal would have another Top 40 single with "Never Knew Love Like This", which peaked at #28 US pop in 1988, and #2 R&B. A remixed version of "Saturday Love" on Tabu Records reached #55 in the UK Singles Chart in early 1990.[4] Her third album, 1988's Affair, included the Number 1 R&B single, "Everything I Miss at Home". The album's title track became another R&B hit, peaking at number 4 on the R&B charts.

Family members of this legendary pop star include several known names in the music world. Cherrelle's cousin is pop singer Perri "Pebbles" Reid; and she is the aunt of Brandi of the girl group Blaque. Cherrelle is also a 1st cousin of Musica Monica Feaster, Music Producer/Gospel Artist. In addition to Cherrelle's musical background, she and Johnny Gill were featured on Pebbles' 1991 single "Always", which made the R&B Top 20. That same year, Cherrelle released the album The Woman I Am, a first-time departure from using Jam and Lewis productions. The singer linked with producer Narada Michael Walden (known for working with Whitney Houston). Cherrelle reunited with the producers eight years later with her independent album The Right Time, released in 1999, and featuring a guest appearance from rapper Keith Murray.

Voice and musical ability

Cherrelle has a light-lyric soprano vocal range. Her voice has been called a "light, wispy and occasionally whiny soprano" which influenced the urban contemporary music markets by Ron Wynn of AllMusic.[5] Cherrelle's "light and airy soprano" were considered the inspiration as to why Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis wanted to produce her and showcase her gift to the world.[6] Other critics gave her praise for being able to convey emotions.[7]

Discography

Studio albums
Year Title Peak chart positions Record label
US
[8]		 US
R&B
[8]		 GER
[9]		 NZ
[10]		 UK
[4]
1984 Fragile 144 27 — — — Tabu
1985 High Priority 36 9 65 32 17
1988 Affair 106 15 — — —
1991 The Woman I Am — 43 — — —
1999 The Right Time — 55 — — — Power
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums
  • The Best of Cherrelle (1995, Tabu)
  • Greatest Hits (2005, Tabu)
  • Icon (2011, Tabu)

Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
[8]		 US
R&B
[8]		 US
Dan
[8]		 BEL
[11]		 GER
[9]		 IRE
[12]		 NLD
[13]		 NZ
[10]		 UK
[4]
1984 "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" 79 8 6 — — — — — — Fragile
"Fragile… Handle with Care" — 37 — — — — — — —
"Like I Will (Tokyo Mix)" — — — — — — — — —
1985 "You Look Good to Me" — 26 — — — — — — — High Priority
"Saturday Love" (with Alexander O'Neal) 26 2 13 — — 7 — 4 6
1986 "Will You Satisfy?" — — — — — — — — 57
"Artificial Heart" (A-Side) — 18 5 — — — — 41 —
"Oh No It's U Again" (B-Side) — — — — — — — —
1988 "Never Knew Love Like This" (with Alexander O'Neal) 28 2 — 24 49 — 24 — 26 Hearsay by Alexander O'Neal
"Everything I Miss at Home" — 1 — — — — — — 83 Affair
1989 "Affair" — 4 15 — — — — — 67
"What More Can I Do for You" — 58 — — — — — — —
1990 "Saturday Love (Feelin' Luv Mix)" (with Alexander O'Neal) — — — — — — — — 55 Non-album single
1991 "Never in My Life" — 40 — — — — — — — The Woman I Am
1992 "Tears of Joy" — 23 — — — — — — —
"Still in Love with You" — 86 — — — — — — —
1997 "Baby, Come to Me" (with Alexander O'Neal) — — — — — — — — 56 The Right Time
1999 "The Right Time" — — — — — — — — —
"Just Tell Me" — 122 — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References
  1. Andy Kellman. "Cherrelle | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  2. "Vibe". Time Publishing Ventures, Incorporated. January 31, 2007 – via Google Books.
  3. "Cherrelle Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  4. "UK Charts > Cherrelle". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  5. Ron Wynn. "High Priority – Cherrelle | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  6. "Review: Tabu Wave 2 – Alexander O'Neal, Cherrelle, Kathy Mathis and The S.O.S. Band". The Second Disc. May 30, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  7. "Best of Cherrelle CD Album". Cduniverse.com. October 17, 1995. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  8. "US Charts > Cherrelle". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  9. "GER Charts > Cherrelle". Media Control Charts. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  10. "NZ Charts > Cherrelle". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  11. "BEL Charts > Cherrelle". VRT Top 30. Archived from the original on April 9, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  12. "IRE Charts Search > Cherrelle". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  13. "NLD Charts > Cherrelle". MegaCharts. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
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