The Word Is Out (song)

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1984 song by Jermaine Stewart

“The Word Is Out” is a song by American singer Jermaine Stewart, which was released in 1984 as the lead single from his debut studio album The Word Is Out. The song was written by Stewart, Julian Lindsay and Greg Craig, and produced by Peter Collins. “The Word Is Out” peaked at No. 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 1985.[1]

Music video[edit]

The song’s music video was shot in Paris. The dance sequences were shot in the settings of both an aerobic class and nightclub.[2]

Critical reception[edit]

On its release, Billboard noted, “Collins borrows the Shannon sound for a high-voltage setting.”[3] Radio Luxembourg DJ Mike Hollis, writing for the Daily Mirror, described the song as “a good one” and predicted it would be a hit in the UK.[4] Mat Snow of New Musical Express considered “The Word Is Out” to be a “mildly attractive sub-Junior song”.[5]

Mark Cooper of Number One felt the song was “very contemporary” but “rather bland”. He stated, “Stewart launches his solo career with one of those dance records, all synths and drum machines thumping away like a dentist with an extractor.”[6] Graham K of Record Mirror was unfavourable, writing, “I really don’t think that nicking the Art of Noise’s megalithic beat box theories will rescue a no-no tune.”[7] In a retrospective review of The Word Is Out album, Dan LeRoy of AllMusic noted the song’s “crunching, big-beat chorus”.[8]

Track listing[edit]

7–inch single (10 Records release)[9][10][11]

  1. “The Word Is Out” – 3:30
  2. “The Word Is Out” (Instrumental) – 4:33

7–inch single (Arista Records US release)[12]

  1. “The Word Is Out” – 3:27
  2. “Month of Mondays” – 3:27

12–inch single (Arista Records US release)[13]

  1. “The Word Is Out” (Extended Version) – 6:52
  2. “The Word Is Out” (Dub Version) – 7:04

12–inch single (Arista Records US promo release)[14]

  1. “The Word Is Out” (Extended Version) – 6:52
  2. “The Word Is Out” (Dub Version) – 7:04
  3. “The Word Is Out” (Short Version) – 3:30

12–inch single (10 Records release)[15][16][17]

  1. “The Word Is Out” (West Mix – Extended Version) – 6:52
  2. “The Word Is Out” – 3:30
  3. “The Word Is Out” (East Mix – Extended Version) – 7:00

Personnel[edit]

Production

Other

  • Max Vadukal – photography
  • Da Gama – cover design

References[edit]

  1. ^ “Jermaine Stewart – The Word Is Out”. Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Kolb, Lydia (October 21, 1984). “Benatar and crew should given lessons on making videos”. The Paducah Sun. p. E4.
  3. ^ “Billboard Singles Reviews” (PDF). Billboard. September 15, 1984. p. 58. Retrieved October 29, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  4. ^ Hollis, Mike (March 6, 1984). “Bunch of hits!”. Daily Mirror. p. 23.
  5. ^ Snow, Mat (March 24, 1984). “Singles”. New Musical Express. p. 23.
  6. ^ Cooper, Mark (March 10, 1984). “Singles”. Number One. p. 45.
  7. ^ K, Graham (March 10, 1984). “Singles”. Record Mirror. p. 16.
  8. ^ LeRoy, Dan. “Word Is Out – Jermaine Stewart”. AllMusic. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  9. ^ The Word Is Out (European 7-inch single sleeve). Jermaine Stewart. 10 Records. 1984. 106 255-100.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ The Word Is Out (Australian 7-inch single sleeve). Jermaine Stewart. 10 Records. 1984. TEN 10.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ The Word Is Out (Canadian 7-inch single sleeve). Jermaine Stewart. 10 Records. 1984. VS1209.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ The Word Is Out (US 7-inch single sleeve). Jermaine Stewart. Arista Records. 1984. AS 1-9256.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ The Word Is Out (US 12-inch single sleeve). Jermaine Stewart. Arista Records. 1984. AD1-9257.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ The Word Is Out (US 12-inch promotional single sleeve). Jermaine Stewart. Arista Records. 1984. ADP-9273.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ The Word Is Out (European 12-inch single sleeve). Jermaine Stewart. 10 Records. 1984. 601 191.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ The Word Is Out (UK/Australian 12-inch single sleeve). Jermaine Stewart. 10 Records. 1984. TEN 10-12.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ The Word Is Out (Canada 12-inch single sleeve). Jermaine Stewart. 10 Records. 1984. VSX 1209.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ “Gallup Top 200 Singles”. Gallup. 17 March 1984. Retrieved September 19, 2022 – via ukmix.org.
  19. ^ “Jermaine Stewart Chart History (Hot 100)”. Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  20. ^ “Jermaine Stewart Chart History (Dance Club Songs)”. Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  21. ^ “Jermaine Stewart Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)”. Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  22. ^ “Top 100 Pop Singles” (PDF). Cash Box. March 30, 1985. p. 4. Retrieved October 29, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  23. ^ “Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles” (PDF). Cash Box. January 12, 1985. p. 18. Retrieved October 29, 2021 – via World Radio History.