What a Feelin'
Irene Cara—Escalera · 1983
73 min · 15 tracks · contemporary R&B
A vibrant fusion of disco and pop that captures the exhilarating spirit of early '80s dance culture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Flashdance... What a Feeling (radio edit) — This track serves as both the album's centerpiece and Cara's signature song, embodying the film's themes of passion and empowerment while showcasing her powerful vocal delivery.
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Breakdance (radio edit) — With its infectious beat and catchy hooks, this track reflects the burgeoning breakdancing culture of the time, further aligning Cara with the vibrant dance scene of the early '80s.
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The Dream (Hold on to Your Dream) — This uplifting anthem captures a message of perseverance and hope, resonating deeply with listeners and complementing the album's overall theme of aspiration.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong dance tracks but suffers from redundancy and lacks depth for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and prominent synthesizer lines, characteristic of early '80s pop production.
- The running order includes multiple versions of 'Flashdance... What a Feeling', which may disrupt cohesion due to redundancy.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- dance floor celebration vibes
- uplifting anthems for empowerment
- two-part listening experience
- energetic tracks for workouts
- nostalgic feel-good moments
Maybe skip if you
- slow, introspective listening preference
- dislike for extended remixes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'What a Feelin'' was released in November 1983, Irene Cara had already achieved significant fame with her Academy Award-winning song 'Flashdance... What a Feeling.' This album marked her third studio effort and sought to capitalize on the success of her previous hits, establishing her as a prominent figure in the contemporary R&B and pop scenes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chaka Khan· Donna Summer· Anita Baker
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Flashdance... What a Feeling (radio edit)
The chorus dramatically shifts in tone, elevating the sense of euphoria associated with self-expression through dance.
The shift in musical dynamics encapsulates the exhilaration of pursuing one's dreams, reinforcing the song's connection to empowerment.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Flashdance... What a Feeling (radio edit) 3:58
- 2 Why Me? (12" mix) 7:05
- 3 Breakdance (radio edit) 3:29
- 4 The Dream (Hold on to Your Dream) 4:51
- 5 You Took My Life Away 3:55
- 6 Keep On 3:30
- 7 Romance '83 3:57
- 8 Cue Me Up 3:25
- 9 Receiving 3:43
- 10 You Were Made for Me 4:23
- 11 Talk Too Much 4:03
- 12 Breakdance (extended remix) 5:27
- 13 The Dream (Hold on to Your Dream) (dance remix) 6:51
- 14 Flashdance... What a Feeling (extended remix) 7:11
- 15 Flashdance... What a Feeling (instrumental) 8:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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