In 1982,Donna Summer released her self-titled album which was produced by Quincy Jones."If It Hurts Just A Little" is one of the strongest tunes on the album,with a catchy,hook-filled chorus,nice horns throughout and a solid,funky groove.This would have been a Top 10 R&B smash if it had been released as a single.It's got that classic 80s Quincy Jones sound.I love this album.It was refreshing to hear Donna singing R&B for a change.Many people think of this album as a "dress rehearsal" for the Quincy Jones project that came next: Michael Jackson's "Thriller".

I LOVE this song. This song should have been a single and I agree it would have gone Top 10 in R&B but I think it would have been Top 10 on the Pop charts too. She had momentum with Finger on the Trigger with it going to the Top 10 on the Pop Charts (I think it went to #8) and I think this would have been the perfect follow-up to that song with the same success. Then again, I was 3 in 1982 so what would I know? Great song to focus on SoulAlive.

Never heard it before but I really like it. Very cool feel good song.

I really like this one as well. I don't know why people praise "State of Independence" so much. I guess it is a good vocal performance and very emotive, but as far as a commerical hit, "If It Hurts Just A Little" was probably better than "Finger On the Trigger". I also love the very "Thriller"-esque "Love Is Just A Breath Away" (Donna is listed as a writer but probably only on the lyrical side...the music is very "Billie Jean").

SoulAlive said:

Did those people forget Quincy produced Off The Wall?

Cinnie said:

I think the reason people say this is because it sounds "Thriller"-esque in parts.

VinnyM27 said:

The production gimmicks? The all-formats-covered strategy? I haven't heard it.

Cinnie said:

The album does cover a lot, actually. While "Thriller" has Eddie on guitar, Donna's "Protection" is a rock track written by the Boss (he might even be playing guitar). She does a cover of "Lush Life" but "Thriller" has nothing like that. Maybe the production gimicks. Both "If It Hurts Just A Little" but even more so, "Love Is Just A Breath Away" sound a whole lot like they are from "Thriller". Frankly, I was surprised to hear that "Donna Summer" came later because I figured it was vice versa and that Quincy was recycling ideas from MJ and "Thriller" to bring to "Donna Summer".

JackieBlue said:

It sounds like something Patti Austin would sink her teeth into

VinnyM27 said:

"Love Is Just A Breath Away" is a fantastic song.It's reminiscent of her work with Giorgio Moroder.Very moody and hypnotic,with some truly amazing vocals.

JackieBlue said:

This is another album I want you to add to your "want list",along with Teena Marie's 'Robbery'

SoulAlive said:

That should have been the first single and "If It Hurts Just A Little" the second. I think one of the biggest problems with "Donna Summer", which I go back and forth with as far as how much I like it, is that Donna is barely there as a songwriter. While the song is more about the music in this case, she is definitely more into it than a song like "State of Independence", which is nice but more showy and beyond Donna.

I think these should have been the singles,in this order:

"Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)"
"Protection" (would have done very well on the pop charts)
"If It Hurts Just A Little"
"State Of Independence" (but only if the previous singles did well)

In the late 90s,there was a dance song that sampled part of "If It Hurts Just A Little".They sampled the part that goes...

come on baby,come on sugar,come on honey"

Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

SoulAlive said:

I'd love to hear that, too.

Cinnie said:

"Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)" is often considered a "cousin" of MJ's "P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)",with similiar basslines.

"Protection" is a rock song that features a popular rock artist playing guitar on it (Bruce Springsteen).Not to be outdone,Michael's "Beat It" is a rock song featuring a popular rock artist playing playing guitar on it (Eddie Van Halen).

The chorus of "Love Is Just A Breath Away" features some rhythm guitar that sounds alot like the guitar heard during Michael's "Billie Jean".

There are other similarities between the two albums (echoing Vocoder voices,multi-layered basslines) and both albums feature the same cast of musicians.

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[Edited 10/17/08 6:26am]