For the Working Girl
Melissa Manchester · 1980
40 min · 11 tracks · pop music
A vibrant blend of pop melodies and poignant lyrics capturing the essence of ambition and emotional complexity in everyday life.
Top tracks — play these first
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Working Girl — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of empowerment and resilience, presenting a narrative that celebrates female ambition in a male-dominated world.
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If This Is Love Start here — This opening track delivers catchy melodies paired with introspective lyrics about love's complexities, setting the tone for the emotional depth found throughout the album.
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Tears of Joy — With its uplifting message and rich vocal delivery, this song stands out as a powerful anthem celebrating personal triumphs and emotional release.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it beyond its genre.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a slower ballad that shifts the album's energy.
- Several tracks feature prominent backing vocals that create a layered texture, particularly in the choruses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- lighthearted reflections on love
- uplifting anthems for working women
- catchy tunes for daily motivation
- short bursts of relatable storytelling
Maybe skip if you
- prefer experimental or avant-garde sounds
- seek heavy, complex arrangements
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped solidify Manchester's presence in the mainstream music scene.
- Career context
- For the Working Girl is Melissa Manchester's fifth studio album, released during a period of artistic exploration following her commercial breakthrough with 1979's 'Don't Cry Out Loud.' By 1980, she was solidifying her presence in the pop music landscape while navigating themes of empowerment and relationships, marking a significant moment in her evolution as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carole King· Linda Ronstadt· James Taylor
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Working Girl
The narrator describes breaking free from societal expectations to pursue her dreams directly addresses listeners' aspirations.
This direct engagement with the audience creates an empowering atmosphere, making it a rallying cry for women seeking independence.
Tracklist
- 1 If This Is Love Start here 3:37
- 2 Any Kind of Fool 3:07
- 3 Working Girl (for the) 4:14
- 4 Without You 3:25
- 5 Boys in the Back Room 3:35
- 6 You and Me 3:50
- 7 Talk 3:44
- 8 A Fool’s Affair 3:40
- 9 Lovers After All 4:14
- 10 Tears of Joy 3:50
- 11 Happier Than I’ve Ever Been 3:28
What to play next
Hey Ricky
1982
Continues the upbeat energy and themes of empowerment found in For the Working Girl.
Melissa Manchester
1979
Sets up the sound and style that leads into the vibrant feel of For the Working Girl.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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