What makes Let There Be Love! by Shirley Murdock notable?

This album is significant as it includes the hit single 'In Your Eyes', which reached number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, solidifying Murdock's presence in the music industry. Additionally, its themes of love and social consciousness resonated with listeners during the early '90s, contributing to its enduring legacy within the R&B genre. Let There Be Love! was released as Shirley Murdock's debut album following her successful single 'As We Lay' in 1986. At this point, she had established herself as a prominent voice in R&B, building anticipation for a full-length project. This album marked her transition from a featured vocalist to a solo artist, showcasing her vocal prowess and emotional depth.

How many songs are on Let There Be Love!?

Let There Be Love! has 10 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Let There Be Love!

Shirley Murdock · 1991

40 min · 10 tracks · rhythm and blues

Soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics intertwine with smooth grooves, creating an intimate atmosphere of love and longing.

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Top tracks — play these first

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In Your Eyes — The opening track features powerful vocals and lush instrumentation, setting the emotional tone for the entire album while becoming one of Murdock's signature songs.
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Let There Be Love — This title track embodies the album's overarching theme of romantic optimism and showcases Murdock's ability to convey deep emotions through her singing.
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Save the Children — A poignant reflection on social issues, this track stands out for its lyrical depth and Murdock's impassioned delivery, demonstrating her versatility beyond love songs.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid R&B writing and production but lacks standout depth for lasting impact.

What we noticed

The album opens with the hit single 'In Your Eyes', which features a prominent horn section and layered vocal harmonies.
Tracks like 'Stay With Me Tonight' and 'Let There Be Love' maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove, emphasizing Murdock's vocal delivery.
Several songs incorporate call-and-response elements between Murdock and background vocals, enhancing the emotional connection.
The final track, 'Save the Children', shifts to a more socially conscious theme, contrasting with the romantic focus of earlier songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Save the Children

The verses shift from personal reflections to broader societal concerns, emphasizing urgency and responsibility towards future generations.

This transition from personal to collective speaks to Murdock's awareness of social issues, adding layers to her artistry and inviting listeners to engage with important themes.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 In Your Eyes 3:58
2 Stay With Me Tonight 4:04
3 Let There Be Love 5:14
4 Say It, Mean It 3:45
5 The Last Hurrah 3:30
6 We Should Be Together 3:33
7 Anywhere 3:55
8 Everywhere 4:18
9 Heavenly 4:07
10 Save the Children 4:06

What to play next

Listen next

Soulfood

2011

Go back to

A Woman's Point of View

1988

Full Shirley Murdock discography Artists like Shirley Murdock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata