I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On – Robert Palmer | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#2); 1986
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
All through the late spring and summer of 1986, MTV viewers were treated to the sight of Robert Palmer looking tres cool in a sharp suit, backed by a line of mini-skirted guitar-wielding beauties which helped propel Addicted To Love all the way to #1.
After Hyperactive, sans video, stalled at #33, the women made an encore appearance for I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On. Penned by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it had been Cherrelle’s first hit single, reaching #8 on the R&B chart and #79 on the pop side in 1984.
Robert Palmer’s take on the tune fared considerably better with the mainstream Top 40 crowd. In early November it bumped Tina Turner’s Typical Male out of the #2 slot on its way to the top, however, Boston sailed past it the following week to claim the top prize with Amanda.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Jimmy Jam
- Terry Lewis
Lyrics Written by:
- James Harris III
- Terry Lewis
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).