The Boss (Diana Ross album)

The Boss is the tenth studio album by American singer Diana Ross released on May 23, 1979 on the Motown label.

The Boss
Studio album by
Diana Ross
ReleasedMay 23, 1979
Recorded1979
StudioSigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Celebration Studios, New York
Genre
Length35:33
LabelMotown
ProducerNickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
Diana Ross chronology
The Wiz: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
(1978)		 The Boss
(1979)		 20 Golden Greats
(1979)
Singles from The Boss
  1. "The Boss"
    Released: May 22, 1979
  2. "No One Gets The Prize[1][2][3]"
    Released: September 21, 1979
  3. "It's My House"
    Released: October 20, 1979
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Christgau's Record GuideB[5]
New York Times(favorable)[6]

Background

This album was written and produced by longtime Ross collaborators Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson and marked her return to Top 40 radio based on the strength of the title track, which peaked #19 on the pop singles chart, and #12 on the US R&B Chart.[7] In addition all the LP tracks went to #1 on the dance charts,[8] and peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

For its 20th Anniversary, the album was remastered and released on CD in 1999 with 12" versions of "The Boss" and "It's My House" as extra tracks. The 12" versions of "I Ain't Been Licked" and "No One Gets the Prize"/"The Boss" appear on Diana: Deluxe Edition, and a rare remixed single version of "No One Gets the Prize" on The Motown Anthology – Diana Ross.

Ross also promoted the album on her first HBO special, "Standing Room Only". The special was culled from her successful "Tour '79" stop at Caesars Palace, and the setlist included the title song, "The Boss", "It's My House", "No One Gets the Prize", "I Ain't Been Licked" and "All For One".

Track listing

All tracks were written and produced by Ashford & Simpson.

Side A

  1. "No One Gets the Prize" – 4:40
  2. "I Ain't Been Licked" – 4:09
  3. "All for One" – 4:20
  4. "The Boss" – 3:52

Side B

  1. "Once in the Morning" – 4:54
  2. "It's My House" – 4:34
  3. "Sparkle" – 5:23
  4. "I'm in the World" – 4:04

1999 Remastered Edition bonus tracks

  1. "The Boss" (Original 12" Remix) – 7:15
  2. "It's My House" (Original Promotion-only 12" Remix) – 6:07

Personnel
  • Diana Ross – lead vocals
  • Michael Brecker – saxophone
  • Rob Mounsey – horn & string arrangements (tracks: A1-A3)
  • Errol Bennett – percussion
  • Francisco Centeno – bass
  • Ray Chew – keyboards
  • Sammy Figueroa – percussion
  • Eric Gale – guitar
  • Anthony Jackson – bass
  • Paul Riser – horn and string arrangements (tracks: B1, B3-B4)
  • John Davis – horn and string arrangements (tracks:A4, B3)
  • Valerie Simpson – piano, backing vocals
  • Nickolas Ashford – backing vocals
  • Maxine Waters – backing vocals
  • Julia Waters – backing vocals
  • Stephanie Spruill – backing vocals
  • John Sussewell – drums
  • Greg Arnold – re-mix engineer, Marathon Recording NYC
  • Douglas Kirkland – photography

Charts
Chart (1979) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] 76
Canada (RPM)[10] 38
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[11] 50
UK Albums (OCC)[12] 52
US Billboard 200[13] 19
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[14] 10

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. https://www.45cat.com/record/ytmg1160
  2. https://www.45cat.com/record/1a00663348
  3. https://www.45cat.com/record/1c00663348
  4. A. Bueche, Rick. "Diana Ross: The Boss". allmusic.com. Allmusic.
  5. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: R". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  6. Rockwell, John (June 8, 1979). "The Pop Life". nytimes.com. New York Times.
  7. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 502.
  8. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 222.
  9. David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 978-0-646-11917-5.
  10. "CAN Charts > Diana Ross". RPM. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  11. "Swedishcharts.com – Diana Ross – The Boss". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  12. "Diana Ross | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  13. "Diana Ross Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  14. "Diana Ross Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  15. "American album certifications – Diana Ross – The Boss". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 16, 2019. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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