# Starchild (Teena Marie album)

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Robert Christgau | B |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 8/10 |
Starchild is the sixth studio album by American R&B singer Teena Marie, released on November 11, 1984, by Epic Records. Following the relative commercial failure of her previous album, Robbery, Starchild became the highest-selling album of Marie's career. It peaked at #9 on the US Black Albums chart and #31 on the Billboard 200. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 1, 1985.
The album's success was driven by lead single "Lovergirl" which become a major US hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and her only top 30 hit on that chart. Marie also received a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the single at the 27th Grammy Awards-her second nomination in that category.
The album was written and produced by Marie, with contributions from Leon Ware and Narada Michael Walden. The track "My Dear Mr. Gaye" is a tribute to Marvin Gaye, who had been fatally shot and killed by his father on April 1, 1984.
It was re-released by SoulMusic Records in 2012 as an Expanded Edition, containing 5 mixes as bonus tracks.

## Track listing

All songs written by Teena Marie, except where noted.
* "Lovergirl" – 4:54
* "Help Youngblood Get to the Freaky Party" (Bendrix, Marie) – 5:44
* "Out on a Limb" – 6:37
* "Alibi" (Marie, Fred Mirza) – 5:23
* "Jammin" – 5:52
* "Starchild" – 5:35
* "We've Got to Stop (Meeting Like This)" (duet with Ronnie McNeir) – 5:07
* "My Dear Mr. Gaye" (Marie, Penny "P.J." Johnson, Leon Ware) – 5:28
* "Light" – 1:17

### Expanded Edition

* "Lovergirl" (US Single Edit) – 3:59
* "Lovergirl" (US Special 12" Dance Mix) – 5:53
* "Lovergirl" (US Single - Instrumental) – 6:10
* "Jammin'" (Dance Mix - Long Version) – 8:20
* "Out on a Limb" (US 12" Single Edit) – 5:31

## Personnel

Credits for Starchild adapted from Allmusic
* Teena Marie – lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 2, 6), pianos, synthesizers, guitars, drums, drum machine programming, percussion, arrangements, rhythm and vocal arrangements, synthesizer arrangements (1, 2, 4, 5, 6), string arrangements (7)
* Walter Afanasieff – synthesizers
* Wyman Brown – synthesizers
* Darren Carmichael – synthesizers
* Randy Kerber – acoustic piano, synthesizers, rhythm and synthesizer arrangements (6), string arrangements (7)
* Fred Mirza – synthesizers, synthesizer arrangements (1, 4), rhythm arrangements (4)
* Dan Radlauer – synthesizers
* Preston Glass – guitars
* Dann Huff – guitars
* Tom McDermott – guitars
* Corrado Rustici – guitars
* David Taylor – guitars
* David T. Walker – guitars
* Nathan East – bass
* James Jamerson, Jr. – bass
* Allen McGrier –bass, male lead vocals (2), drum machine programming (6)
* James Gadson – drums
* John Robinson – drums
* Narada Michael Walden – drums, rhythm arrangements (3)
* Michael White – drums
* Paulinho da Costa – percussion
* Ernie Watts – saxophone solo (8)
* Gene Page – string conductor (7, 8), string arrangements (8)
* Harry Bluestone – concertmaster (7, 8)
* Billy Griffin – backing vocals
* Mickey Hearn – backing vocals
* Penny "PJ" Johnson – backing vocals, vocal arrangements (8)
* Yvette Marine – backing vocals
* Leon Ware – backing vocals
* Julia Waters Tillman – backing vocals
* Maxine Waters Willard – backing vocals
* Ronnie McNeir – male lead vocals (7)

### Production

* Larkin Arnold – executive producer
* Teena Marie – producer, cover concept
* Bobby Brooks – engineer (1, 2, 4–9), mixing
* David Frazier – engineer (3)
* Rick Butz – assistant engineer
* Elmer Flores – assistant engineer
* Deni King – assistant engineer
* Richard McKernan – assistant engineer
* Magic Moreno – assistant engineer
* Gary Wagner – assistant engineer
* Bernie Grundman – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)
* P.J. – production coordinator, cover concept
* Tony Lane – art direction
* Nancy Donald – art direction
* Ron Slenzak – photography
* Tim Wild – airbrushing
* Renny Roberts – back cover illustration
* The Michael Gardner Company – management

## Singles

* "Lovergirl" #4 US Pop Singles/ #9 US Black Singles
* "Jammin'" #81 US Pop Singles/ #45 US Black Singles
* "Out on a Limb" #56 US Black Singles