Secret Lovers – Atlantic Starr | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#3), R&B (#4) and Adult Contemporary (#1); 1986
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
One of the most successful, yet unheralded, soul groups of the 1980’s was Atlantic Starr from White Plains, NY. Formed in 1976, Atlantic Starr originally included nine members, centered around a core of three multi-talented bothers – David, Wayne, and Jonathan Lewis – and lead singer Sharon Bryant.
The band played its Earth, Wind & Fire-influenced funk around the Northeast for a couple of years, then was signed by A&M Records. After two albums with Bobby Eli, legendary guitarist/member of MSFB and producer (Blue Magic, Major Harris), James Carmichael took over as producer.
Under Carmichael’s guidance, AS released three solid Top 10 R&B albums and several smash singles, including Circles (#2 R&B; 1982) and Touch A Four Leaf Clover (#4 R&B; 1983).
A trimmed-down line-up of five, including new vocalist Barbara Weathers, recorded 1985’s As The Band Turns. This time David and Wayne helped fill-in for a departed Carmichael, and penned Secret Lovers, the song that finally gave the ten-year-old AS its first crossover hit.
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:
- David Lewis
- Wayne Lewis
Lyrics Written by:
- David Lewis
- Wayne 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).