Loverboy (Billy Ocean song)

"Loverboy" is Billy Ocean's second single from his 1984 album, Suddenly. It was produced by Keith Diamond and reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100^[3] as well as hitting number 20 on the soul chart,^[4] and number 15 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1985.^[5] It also reached the top spot of the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the US, in an extended version.^[6] The track was released on the Jive label under the catalogue reference, JIVE 80.^[5] The song was played in the first episode of the long-running BBC One medical drama Casualty on 6 September 1986.

"Loverboy"
Standard picture sleeve (the US release has a different front cover)
Single by Billy Ocean
from the album Suddenly
B-side	"Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)"
Released	15 November 1984
Recorded	1984
Genre	Dance-pop[1] synth-rock[2]
Length	5:15 (album version) 4:11 (single version) 3:58 (US single version) 8:08 (extended version)
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	Keith Diamond, Billy Ocean, Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Producer(s)	Keith Diamond Robert John "Mutt" Lange (exec.)
Billy Ocean singles chronology
"Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" (1984) "Loverboy" (1984) "Suddenly" (1985)

The single was also a massive success in South Africa, reaching No. 1 on the Springbok Charts, remaining in that position for 11 of the 26 weeks it charted. It was also the No. 1 single of 1985 on that country's year-end charts.

Music video

The sci-fi-themed music video was directed by Maurice Phillips^[7] and it was shot at Durdle Door in Dorset, England, and features an alien rider on horseback riding up the coast to a bar built inside a cave. He tries to attract the attention of a female alien inside the cave, and after he shoots her partner with a laser, they ride off on the horse together at the end. The video is interspersed with scenes of Ocean (appearing in a pyramid hologram) performing the song.^[8]

Track listings

7": Jive / JS1-9284 (US) JIVE 80 (UK)

1. "Loverboy" - 3:58
2. "Loverboy" (Dub Mix) - 4:59 ^[9]

12": Jive / JD1-9280 (US)

1. "Loverboy" (Extended Club Remix) - 8:08
2. "Loverboy" (Single Version) - 4:12
3. "Loverboy" (Dub Mix) - 4:59 ^[10]

12": Jive / JIVE T 80 (UK - Limited Edition)

1. "Loverboy" (Extended Club Remix) - 8:08
2. "Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)"
3. "Loverboy" (Dub Mix) - 4:59 ^[11]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1985) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[12] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13] 3 Canadian Singles Chart 6 Danish Singles Chart 5 France (SNEP)[14] 34 German Singles Chart 12 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 7 South African Singles Chart (Springbok Radio) 1 UK Singles Chart 15 US Billboard Hot 100 2 US Billboard Hot Black Singles 20 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 1

Year-end charts Chart (1985) Position Australia (Kent Music Report)[15][16] 32 South African Singles Chart 1 US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[17] 28

Notable appearances in other media

• The song was ranked by the "80 of the 80s" podcast as #38 of the decade.^[18]
• French electronic duoJustice sampled the song in their 2011 track Helix

Boystar version

"Loverboy"
Single by Boystar
Released	6 October 2002
Recorded	2002
Genre	Pop
Length	3:37
Label	MRA Entertainment
Songwriter(s)	Keith Diamond, Billy Ocean, Robert John "Mutt" Lange

In 2002, Australian group "Boystar", consisting of Ian Starr, Decklyn Jaxx and Steven Childs, released a cover version of "Loverboy". It was their first and only release. it debuted at peaked at #12 on the ARIA singles chart.^[19]

Track listing

"Loverboy" was released on a 5-track CD single^[20]

1. "Loverboy" (Radio Edit) (3:37)
2. "This Ain't Love" (3:06)
3. "Loverboy" (Diego V Euro Club) (5:21)
4. "Loverboy" (DJ Nikko Dirty Club) (4:14)
5. "Loverboy" (Diego V RNB) (4:30)

Charts

Chart (2002)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA Charts)[21]	12