Out of the Blue (Debbie Gibson album)

Out of the Blue is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson, released on August 18, 1987, by Atlantic Records. The album received favorable reviews from music critics and sold more than three million copies in the United States (three times platinum by RIAA) and five million copies worldwide.^[1]

Out of the Blue
Studio album by Debbie Gibson
Released	August 18, 1987 (1987-08-18)[1]
Recorded	1986–1987
Studio	Z Studio, Brooklyn Sorcerer Sound, NYC Right Track, NYC Quad Recording, NYC International Sound, Miami
Genre	Dance-pop[2] teen pop[3]
Length	40:53
Label	Atlantic
Producer	Fred Zarr Deborah Gibson John Morales Sergio Munzibai Lewis A. Martineé
Debbie Gibson chronology
Out of the Blue (1987) Electric Youth (1989)
Singles from Out of the Blue
"Only in My Dreams" Released: February 1987 "Shake Your Love" Released: September 1987 "Red Hot" Released: November 1987 "Out of the Blue" Released: January 1988 "Foolish Beat" Released: April 1988 "Staying Together" Released: September 1988

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Number One	[4]
The Village Voice	C+[5]

Background

Gibson (who was then 16 years old) wrote all ten songs on this album, which reveals her very early talent for composing.^[6] As executive producer, Douglas Breitbart of Broadbeard Productions, Inc. (whom Gibson's mother had hired as manager five years before), assembled a team of producers from both New York and Florida: Fred Zarr, John Morales, Sergio Munzibai and Lewis A. Martineé.

Zarr produced "Shake Your Love" and "Fallen Angel" in addition to "Only in My Dreams," and co-produced "Out of the Blue," "Staying Together" and "Wake Up to Love" with Gibson, sole producer for "Foolish Beat." Morales and Munzibai produced "Red Hot" and "Between the Lines." Martineé produced "Play the Field".

While posing for the album cover, Gibson was told by the photographer that her knee was pulling focus; as she refused to change her pose, a compromise was reached by having the makeup artist draw a face on her knee; consequently, it became a trend among her young female fans.^[7]

Out of the Blue made No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and No. 26 on the UK Albums Chart.^[8][9] The album sold over three million copies in the United States,^[10] and five million copies worldwide.^[11][1]

Reception

In their review of the album, Billboard stated that the "sixteen- year-old singer's low profile is not commensurate with her talent or success. "Only In My Dreams" is a top 15 hit; title track should follow up handily. Both - along with rest of the album's material - were written by Gibson, portending much in the way of staying power." ^[12]

Cashbox noted that the album was "a fond remembrance of pop idols of times past. This 16-year old Long Island native has leaped into the pop/dance arena with wide eyes and a penchant for writing flowing ballads and sizzling dance grooves."^[13]

Allmusic concedes that "while Out of the Blue does possess the slick, processed dance-pop production and squeaky-clean innocence of most '80s teen pop, it stands out from the competition due to Gibson's talent as a singer, musician, pop songwriter, arranger, and even producer...Gibson's youthful exuberance and energy shine through infectiously...it's some of the best teen pop you're likely to hear."^[3]

Reissues

Out of the Blue was included in the 2017 box set We Could Be Together, with six remixes as bonus tracks.^[14]

A special four-disc digipack edition was released by Cherry Red Records on October 15, 2021. This release includes two remix CDs and a DVD containing the album's five music videos, the live video Live in Concert: The "Out of the Blue" Tour, and a special interview video.^[15]

Track listing

Side A

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Out of the Blue"	Zarr Gibson	3:55
2.	"Staying Together"	Zarr Gibson	4:07
3.	"Only in My Dreams"	Zarr	3:54
4.	"Foolish Beat"	Gibson	4:25
5.	"Red Hot"	Morales Munzibai	3:54
Total length:			20:16

All tracks are written by Deborah Gibson

Side B

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
6.	"Wake Up to Love"	Zarr Gibson	3:42
7.	"Shake Your Love"	Zarr	3:44
8.	"Fallen Angel"	Zarr	3:43
9.	"Play the Field"	Martineé	4:37
10.	"Between the Lines"	Morales Munzibai	4:42
Total length:			20:32

Deluxe Digipack Edition bonus tracks

No.	Title	Length
11.	"Only in My Dreams" (Vocal Mix)	3:56
12.	"Only in My Dreams" (Dreamix)	4:18
13.	"Shake Your Love" (Bad Dubb Version)	5:05
14.	"Foolish Beat" (Extended Mix)	6:47
15.	"Staying Together" (Dub Edit)	4:35
Total length:		24:43

Deluxe Digipack Edition Disc 2: The Remixes Part 1

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Only in My Dreams" (Extended Club Mix)	6:36
2.	"Only in My Dreams" (Dub)	4:44
3.	"Only in My Dreams" (Percapella/Vocal)	3:32
4.	"Only in My Dreams" (Heartthrob Beats)	4:18
5.	"Shake Your Love" (Vocal/Club Mix)	5:52
6.	"Shake Your Love" (Bonus Beats)	6:32
7.	"Shake Your Love" (Vocal/Bassapella)	3:35
8.	"Shake Your Love" (Shake the House Version)	5:49
9.	"Out of the Blue" (Vocal/Club Mix)	5:52
10.	"Out of the Blue" (Bonus Beats)	4:20
Total length:		51:15

Deluxe Digipack Edition Disc 3: The Remixes Part 2

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Out of the Blue" (Drumapella)	4:08
2.	"Out of the Blue" (Dub Version)	3:57
3.	"Shake Your Love" (Live)	7:47
4.	"Foolish Beat" (Instrumental Version)	4:28
5.	"Only in My Dreams" (Dream House Mix)	10:07
6.	"Medley" (Debbie Gibson Megamix)	7:17
7.	"Staying Together" (Remix)	5:59
8.	"Staying Together" (Dub Version)	5:46
9.	"Staying Together" (Bonus Beats)	1:36
10.	"Staying Together" (LP Version with Vocal Re-cut)	4:22
Total length:		55:32

Deluxe Digipack Edition DVD

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Only in My Dreams" (Music Video)
2.	"Shake Your Love" (Music Video)
3.	"Out of the Blue" (Music Video)
4.	"Foolish Beat" (Music Video)
5.	"Staying Together" (Music Video)
6.	"Staying Together" (Live)
7.	"Foolish Beat" (Live)
8.	"Shake Your Love" (Live)
9.	"In the Still of the Night" (Live)	Fred Parris
10.	"Lost in Your Eyes" (Live)
11.	"Should've Been the One" (Live)
12.	"Out of the Blue" (Live)
13.	"Only in My Dreams" (Live)
14.	"We Could Be Together" (Live)
15.	"Crocodile Rock" (Live)	Bernie Taupin Elton John
16.	"Up Close and Personal" (Bonus Interview Featurette)

Personnel

Musicians^[16]

• Deborah Gibson – lead and backing vocals, rhythm programs, keyboard, synthesizer, additional keyboards
• Fred Zarr – rhythm programs, keyboards, synthesizer, additional keyboards (tracks 1–4, 6–8)
• John Morales – programming, sequencing (tracks 5, 10)
• David "Jaz" Grant – keyboard overdubs, guitar (tracks 5, 7–8, 10)
• Lewis A. Martineé – rhythm programs, keyboards, backing vocals (track 9)
• Mike Baskt – keyboards (track 9)
• Ira Siegel – guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar (tracks 1–4)
• Tommy Williams – guitar, electric guitar (tracks 1, 6)
• Nestor Gomez – guitar (track 9)
• Gary Down – bass (track 3)
• Bashiri Johnson – percussion (tracks 1–4, 6–8)
• Billy Amendola – Tom Tom overdubs (track 3)
• Jimmy Maelen – percussion overdubs (tracks 5, 10)
• Jeff Smith – saxophone, saxophone overdubs, backing vocals (tracks 2–8, 10)
• LaRita Gaskins – backing vocals (tracks 1–3, 6)
• Carrie Johnson – backing vocals (tracks 1–2, 4, 6–8)
• Libby Johnson – backing vocals (tracks 1–2, 6–8)
• Norma Jean Wright – backing vocals (track 3)
• Tim Lawless – backing vocals (track 4)
• Connie Harvey – backing vocals (tracks 5, 10)
• Janet Wright – backing vocals (tracks 5, 10)
• Wendell Morrison – backing vocals (tracks 5, 10)
• Haydee – backing vocals (track 9)

Production

• Debbie Gibson – arranger (tracks 1–4, 6–8); producer (1-2, 4-6)
• Fred Zarr – arranger, mixing (tracks 1–4, 6–8); produced (1-3, 6-8)
• John Morales – arranger, mix engineer, producer (tracks 5, 10)
• Sergio Munzibai – arranger (track 5); producer (5, 10)
• Lewis A. Martineé – arranger, engineer, producer (track 9)
• Don Feinberg – recording engineer (tracks 1–4, 6–8)
• Bernard Bullock – recording engineer (tracks 1–4, 6–8)
• Phil Castellano – recording engineer, mixing (tracks 1–4, 6–8)
• Peter Sturge – recording engineer (tracks 5, 10)
• Billy Esses – assistant engineer (tracks 1–4, 6–8)
• Jim Goatley – assistant mix engineer (tracks 1–2, 4, 6–8)
• Carlos Santos – assistant (track 9)
• Michael Hutchinson – mixing (tracks 2, 6)
• "Little" Louie Vega – mixing (track 3)
• Doc Dougherty – mixing (track 3)
• Douglas Breitbart – executive producer, management (Broadbeard Productions, Inc.)
• Greg Porto – art direction
• Adrian Buckmaster – photography
• Howie Weinberg – mastering (Masterdisk)

Charts

Weekly charts Year Chart Position 1987 Canada Albums Chart[17] 22 1987 Dutch Albums Chart[18] 41 1987 Japanese Oricon Albums Chart[19] 75 1987 New Zealand Albums Chart[20] 23 1987 Swedish Albums Chart[21] 34 1987 UK Albums Chart[22] 26 1987 US Billboard 200[23] 7 2021 Scotland[24] 66 1988 Official Finnish Charts[25] 27 1988 European Albums (Eurotipsheet)[26] 84 Year-end charts Chart (1988) Peak position Billboard Year-End[27] 7

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[28]	Gold	10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[29]	Gold	100,000^
United States (RIAA)[30]	3× Platinum	3,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide	—	5,000,000[11]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Happy 30th: Debbie Gibson, Out of the Blue". Rhino Entertainment. August 18, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
2. Breihan, Tom (April 16, 2021). "The Number Ones: Debbie Gibson's "Foolish Beat". Stereogum. Retrieved November 11, 2023. [Out of the Blue] is a cheap, giddy dance-pop whirlwind, full of winsome melodies and bubbly beats.
3. Huey, Steve. "Debbie Gibson - Out of the Blue | Overview". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
4. "Review: Debbie Gibson — Out of the Blue (Warners)". Number One. No. 287. London: IPC Magazines Ltd. December 14, 1988. p. 37.
5. Christgau, Robert (February 23, 1988). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
6. Out of the Blue (Debbie Gibson songbook), CatNo. HL00356822. Hal Leonard, 1988
7. Helling, Steve (August 18, 2017). "Debbie Gibson Shares 30 Facts About Herself". People. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
8. Keith Tuber (June 1989). "On Top with Tiffany". Orange Coast. Emmis Communications: 244–. ISSN 0279-0483.
9. "The Official Charts Company – Out of the Blue by Debbie Gibson". The Official Charts Company. February 17, 2016.
10. Hunt, Dennis (December 9, 1990). "POP MUSIC : 10 QUESTIONS : Debbie Gibson". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
11. Debbie Galante Block (March 15, 1997). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 94–. ISSN 0006-2510.
12. "Album reviews" (PDF). Billboard. No. 15 August 1987. p. 74. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
13. "Album Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. No. 15 August 1987. p. 9. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
14. Sinclair, Paul (September 20, 2017). "New content added to Debbie Gibson 'We Could Be Together' deluxe set". Super Deluxe Edition. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
15. "Debbie Gibson's debut album Out of the Blue set for four-disc expanded reissue". Retro Pop. August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
16. Liner notes, SD 81780. NYC: Atlantic Recording Corp., 1987
17. "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 48, No. 15 July 30, 1988". Library and Archives Canada. July 17, 2013. Archived from the original on July 19, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). RPM.
18. "Debbie Gibson – Out of the Blue". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on February 29, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
19. "アウト・オブ・ザ・ブルー | デボラ・ギブソン". Oricon. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
20. "Debbie Gibson – Out of the Blue". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
21. "Debbie Gibson – Out of the Blue". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on February 29, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
22. UK charts – Debbie Gibson www.officialcharts.com Retrieved February 24, 2016.
23. Billboard charts – Debbie Gibson Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
24. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.
25. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Debbie Gibson". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 89. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
26. "European Hot 100 Albums" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 5, no. 24. June 11, 1988. p. 27. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
27. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-end charts". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
28. "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1989". IFPI Hong Kong.
29. "British album certifications – Debbie Gibson – Out of the Blue". British Phonographic Industry.
30. "American album certifications – Debbie Gibson – Out of the Blue". Recording Industry Association of America.

External links

• Official website
• Out of the Blue at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
• Out of the Blue at Discogs (list of releases)