Is The Hunger a good place to start with Michael Bolton?

Yes, The Hunger is recommended as a starting point for new Michael Bolton listeners. Emotional ballads and smooth pop-rock melodies combine to create a passionate and soulful listening experience. Released in 1987, The Hunger was Michael Bolton's third studio album, following the commercial success of his self-titled album from 1983. At this point in his career, Bolton was transitioning from a more rock-oriented style to the adult contemporary sound that would define his later work.

Who is The Hunger for?

The Hunger works well if you're into steady pacing for relaxed moments, passionate vocals for emotional connection and mid-tempo flow for easy listening.

How many songs are on The Hunger?

The Hunger has 9 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

The Hunger

Michael Bolton · 1987

37 min · 9 tracks · pop rock

Emotional ballads and smooth pop-rock melodies combine to create a passionate and soulful listening experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hot Love Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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That's What Love Is All About — This track became a signature song for Bolton, showcasing his ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with soaring vocals, capturing the essence of romantic longing.
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Wait on Love — With its lush arrangement and emotive delivery, this song illustrates Bolton's mastery in conveying deep emotion through music, making it a standout on the album.
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(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay — Bolton's rendition of this classic Otis Redding song highlights his vocal prowess while adding a contemporary flair that bridges generations of listeners.
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Gina — A poignant ballad, Gina showcases Bolton's ability to tell a compelling story through music, featuring intimate lyrics that resonate with personal connections.

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 polished pop-rock with emotional ballads but lacks standout compositional depth.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature prominent use of synthesizers and drum machines, establishing a polished pop-rock sound.
The album includes a cover of '(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay', which is arranged with a slower tempo and more emotional vocal delivery than the original.
Several tracks, including 'That’s What Love Is All About', utilize layered backing vocals that enhance the emotional impact of the lead melody.

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for relaxed moments
passionate vocals for emotional connection
mid-tempo flow for easy listening
soulful melodies for reflective moods

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer standalone singles only

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album marked Bolton's entry into mainstream popularity and recognition.
Career context: Released in 1987, The Hunger was Michael Bolton's third studio album, following the commercial success of his self-titled album from 1983. At this point in his career, Bolton was transitioning from a more rock-oriented style to the adult contemporary sound that would define his later work.
Stylistic neighbors: Kenny Rogers· Richard Marx· Bryan Adams