1978 - Rough
Rough is Tina Turner's third solo album, released in September 1978 on the EMI label in the UK, Ariola Records in West Germany and United Artists in the United States.
Rough was Turner's first solo album after her 1976 split with husband Ike Turner. Her first two solo albums, Tina Turns the Country On! (1974) and Acid Queen (1975), were recorded while she was still married to Ike Turner and also a member of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Rough would be the first album where there was no association with Ike Turner. The divorce proceedings between the Turners finally ended in 1978, the same year Rough was released, leaving Tina penniless - but with the legal right to still use her stage name Tina Turner.
The album was made up of rock songs, instead of the soul, bluesy, and R&B music that she typically had performed with the Revue. But the album was recorded at the height of the disco era and so shows influences from that genre. The opening track, "Fruits of the Night", for example, was co-written by Giorgio Moroder's longtime collaborator Pete Bellotte. Turner also included a cover of Bob Seger's "Fire Down Below", which was later covered again by Bette Midler for the 1979 movie The Rose. The album also includes Turner's first cover version of Elton John's "The Bitch Is Back", which she re-recorded in 1991 for the tribute album Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin.
The album Rough along with its four singles, "Viva La Money", "Root Toot, Undisputable Rock & Roller", "Sometimes When We Touch" - a cover of Dan Hill's ballad - and "Night Time Is the Right Time", all had minor success on the charts. The album received no certifications. Just like the preceding Acid Queen, the album was an indication of the direction that Turner wanted to take her music; combining rock with elements of pop and R&B.
The album was re-issued on CD by EMI in the early 1990s.
More releases you will find at the excellent Discogs website
Formats: LP, CD
Producers: Bob Monaco
Label: United Artists, Ariola Records, Emi
Tracklist
1.Fruits of the night
Album: Rough - 1978
Dangles of dust
Itching for the last
Goes around
Dum, dum
Shadows go out
Streets come alive
Shake some phone for relit it on
And I check in
Someone I thought
Someone the same
I give you hand
Then I'll be wait
Showing no game
But here's no prey
Shoulda be
Fruits of the night
Got hard it slow
When it's not
I got my fruits of the night
Oh, that's get so dumb
So romantic
Wicked princess
Wanna the best
All dressed down to get up the prince
And I'm becoming smile
Hearonic while
Hey, don't you know
You got caught it, yeah, yeah
And I'll beware
You wanna that
And she wanna sale
I give you hand
And I check in
Showing no game
Where ain't flame
There's just stop here
Fruits of the night
Got hard it slow
When it's not
I got my fruits of the night
Oh, that's get so dumb
So romantic
Ooh, what you need
That special key
You're so weird up on your knees
Going for this
Dying for that
But that's just normal cigarette
Fruits of the night
Got hard it slow
But it's not
Fruits of the night
Just a photo
So romantic
Fruits of the night
I got my fruits of the night, yeah
Fruits of the night
Got my fruits of the night, yeah
Do, do, do, yeah
Fruits of the night
I got my fruits of the night, yeah
Fruits of the night
Got my fruits of the night, yeah
Do, do do do do, do do do, do
Do, do do do do, do do do, do
Do, do do do do, do do do, do
Do, do do do do do do do do, wow
Yeah
Do, do do do do, do do do, do
Do, do do do do, do do do, do
Fruits of the night
Got my fruits of the night
[repeat until fade]"
2.The bitch is back
Album: Rough (originally from Elton John) - 1978
I was justified when I was five
Raising cane, I spit in your eye
Times are changing, now the poor get fat
But the fever's gonna catch you when the bitch gets back
Eat meat on Friday that's alright
Even like steak on a Saturday night
I can bitch the best at your social do's
I get high in the evening sniffing pots of glue
I'm a bitch, I'm a bitch
Oh the bitch is back
Stone cold sober as a matter of fact
I can bitch, I can bitch
`Cause I'm better than you
It's the way that I move
The things that I do
I entertain by picking brains
Sell my soul by dropping names
I don't like those, my God, what's that
Oh it's full of nasty habits when the bitch gets back
3.The woman I'm supposed to be
Album: Rough (originally from Cliff Wade)- 1978
Won’t you give me just one day without a worry
I could use the extra hours I’m in a hurry
I can tell you how it feels to be holding on to the woman I’m supposed to be
Won’t you give me just one hour to displayed my kindness
I’m so sure I got the power to kill you blindness
I can show you how it feels to be holding on to the woman I’m supposed to be
And when you’re down
All the things that helps is a little understanding
And I pray for a happy ending
Won’t you give me just one day without a worry
I could use the extra hours ‘cause I’m in a hurry
I can show you how it feels to be holding on to the woman I’m supposed to be
I can show you how it feels to be holding on
Holding on
Holding on to the woman I’m supposed to be
Holding on
Holding on
Holding on to the woman I’m supposed to be
4.Viva la money
Album: Rough (originally from Allen Toussaint)- 1978
Nothing makes ‘em holler
Like the almighty dollar
Johnny has it ready
Again
If the rich treat him nice
They get the good price
Overcharge the poor
Some more
I’m talking about viva la money
Viva la money
Money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Viva la money
It could buy cheap thrills
You can pay a few bills
You can get you self killed
Fast
Now it can fool your heart
And they can make you smart
Tear friends apart
Too bad
Too bad
Viva la money
Viva la money
Money
Money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Viva la money
I’m talking about viva la money
Money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Viva la money
It can make you feel good
But it can make you bad
It can make you happy
But it can make you sad
It can make you do right
But it can make you wrong
But it still be around
When you’re dead and gone
I’m talking about viva la money
Viva la money
Money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Viva la money
I’m talking about viva la money
Money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Money
Viva la money
Viva la money
Money
Taking about
5.Funny how time slips away
Album: Rough Originally from Willie Nelson) - 1978
Well hello there
My it’s been a long
Long time
How am doin’
You wanna know
Well I think I’m
Doin’ fine
It’s been long time
Since I’ve seen you
Seems like yesterday
Ain’t it funny
How time slips right on away
How’s your new love
Well
I guess she’s doin’ fine
I heard you told her
You’d gonna love her
‘Till the end of time
Well you know
That’s the same thing
That you told me
Seems like yesterday
Ain’t it funny
How time slips right on away
Gotta go now
Well I guess I’ll see you somewhere ‘round
Don’t know when though
‘Cause never know when I’m back in town
Please remember
What I told you
But I just wanna say that
That it’s so funny
How time slips away
Ain’t it funny
How time slips away
Ain’t it funny
How time slips away
Ain’t it funny
How time slips away
Ain’t it funny
How time slips away
Funny
How
Time
Slips
Away
6.Earthquake & Hurricane
Album: Rough (originally from Willie Dixon)- 1978
Hurricane
Hurricane
Hurricane
Hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
The earth cracked open
And was breathing fire
Everybody’s running
None was ready to die
Some going crazy
Some insane
Saying save me from this hurricane
Hurricane
Hurricane
Hurricane
Hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
People start scrambling
On the run
They were a hit
With a atom bomb
Some lay cripple
Some lay lame
But just save me from this hurricane
Hurricane
Hurricane
Hurricane
Hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
Mighty earthquake & hurricane
7.Root, toot undisputable rock ‘n’ roller
Album: Rough - 1978
When you walk into the bar
I’m the first one you’re gonna see
Business and pleasure just don’t mix
So can I take your order please
You fellas know I don’t take no mess
It’s a whole lotta woman in this dress
They call me root toot undisputable rock ‘n’ roller
I gotta fine Fanny
But a rough talking Annie
A rock and roller
Every time the jukebox plays
I get out on the floor
Trouble maker come my way
I’ll gladly show him the door
Everybody knows to keep it cool
‘Came fresh out of a karate school
They call me root toot undisputable rock ‘n’ roller
I gotta fine Fanny
But a rough talking Annie
A rock and roller
Alright
Tell me now
If you bright too step to the right
And don’t you make me mad
‘Cause like a tornado
Without a warning I clear the past
You gotta know that I’m muscle fountain
By the way I call my ways around
That’s why they call me the root toot undisputable rock ‘n’ roller
I gotta fine Fanny
But a rough talking Annie
A rock and roller
Root toot undisputable rock ‘n’ roller
I gotta fine Fanny
But a rough talking Annie
And a rock and roller
Root toot undisputable rock ‘n’ roller
Fine Fanny
Rough talking Annie
And a rock and roller
Root toot undisputable rock ‘n’ roller
I gotta fine Fanny
A rough talking Annie
A rock and roller
8.Fire down below
Album: Rough (originally from Bob Seger)- 1978
Here comes old Joey
And he’s looking mighty fine
Here comes old Connie
He’s steppin’ right on time
There go the street lights
Bringin in the night
Here come the women
Faces shedding from the light
All through the shadows they come and they go
We got one thing in common
We got the fire down below
Well now here comes a rich man
In his big long limousine
Here comes the poor man
Trying to make his money green
There goes the banker
The lawyer and the cops
One thing for certain
It ain’t never gonna stop
When it all gets too heavy that’s when they come and go
We got one thing in common
We got the fire down below
Keep on burning
Well now happens in Vegas
It happens in Moline
On the blue blood streets of Boston
Up in Berkeley and in Queen
It went on yesterday
And it’s going on tonight
Somewhere somebody
Ain’t treatin somebody right
And he’ll be looking out for Johnny
He’s looking mighty fine
Walking the streets for Annie
And he’ll find her every time
When the street light flicker
Bringing in the night
We’ll be slipping into darkness
Slipping out of sight
All through the midnight watch ‘em come and watch ‘em go
We got one thing in common
We got the fire down below
We got one thing in common
We got the fire down below
Keep on turnin’
One thing in common
We really fire down below
And it’s burning
Burning
Burning
Keep on burning
Burning
Burning
Burning
9.Sometimes when we touch
Album: Rough (originally from Dan Hill) - 1978
You ask me if I love you
And I choke on my reply
I'd rather hurt you honestly
Than mislead you with a lie
And who am I to judge you
On what you say or do?
I'm only just beginning to see the real you
And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
'Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides
Romance and all its strategy
Leaves me battling with my pride
But through the insecurity
Some tenderness survives
I'm just another writer
Still trapped within my truth
A hesitant prize fighter
Still trapped within my youth
And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides
At times I'd like to break you
And drive you to your knees
At times I'd like to break through
And hold you endlessly
At times I understand you
And I see how hard you've tried
I've watched while love commands you
And I've watched love pass you by
At times I think we're drifters
Still searching for a friend
A brother or a sister
But then the passion flares again
And sometimes when we touch
The honesty's too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you til I die
Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides
10.A woman in a man's world
Album: Rough - 1978
His always right
I’m always wrong
Because his weak
I must be strong
That’s the way it is
That’s just the way it is
When you’re a woman in a man’s world
If I said it’s white
He said it’s black
When he runs away
I take him back
That’s the way it is
That’s just the way it is
To love a man in a man’s world
But if I used my head instead of my heart
I find someone else to care for
‘Cause there’s just overused and trying to be a side
‘Cause I know I been there to love him more
More I give
The more he takes
I live inside
The world he makes
That’s the way it is
That’s just the way it is
To love a man in a man’s world
That’s the way it is
That’s just the way it is
To love a man in a man’s world
11.Night time is the right time
Album: Rough (originally from Nappy Brown)- 1978
You know the night time
Is the right time
To be with the one you love
I said baby
Well now come on baby
I wanna be with the one I love
You know the one I’m thinking of
I know the night time
Is the right time
To be with the one I love
Well you know my father
When he died
My father
Left me all the time
Baby
So now come on baby
I wanna be with the one I love
You know the one I’m thinking of
I know the night time
Is the night time
To be with the one I love
Baby
Baby
Baby
Baby
Know I love you
Know all about you
Hold me tight
Make everything alright
I know the night time
Is the right time
To be with the one I love
So squeeze me
Squeeze me
Squeeze me
Don’t leave me
Baby take my hand
I don’t need
No other man
I know the night time
Is the right time
For me to be with the one I love
I’m gonna take it up now
Baby
Baby
Baby
Baby
Know I love you
Know all about you
Hold the time
Make everything alright
I know the night time
I know is the right time
To be with the one I love
I’m gonna say it one more time
Baby
Baby
Baby
Know I love you
Know all about you
Hold me tight
Make everything alright
I know the night time
Is the right time baby
To be with the one I love
Don’t you hear me calling you now
Squeeze me
Squeeze me
Squeeze me
Don’t ever leave me
Baby
Come on and take my hand
I don’t need
No other man
I know the night time
Is the right time
To be with the one I love
Length: 41:15 min
Singles from Rough
1978 - Viva La Money
1978 - Sometimes When We Touch
1978 - Root, Toot Undisputable Rock 'n Roller
1979 - Fruits of the Night
Personnel and Production
Rick Kellis - horn, saxophone
Ken Moore - piano, background vocals
Airto Moreira - percussion
Dennis Belfield - bass
Michael Boddicker - synthesizer
Peter Bunetta - drums
Al Ciner - acoustic guitar
Denise Echols - background vocals
Dennis Farias - horn
Venetta Fields - background vocals
Ed Greene - drums
Billy Haynes - bass
Maxayn Lewis - background vocals
Deborah Lindsey - background vocals
Lenny Macaluso - electric guitar
Bill Oz - harmonica
Mary Russell - background vocals
Julia Tillman Waters -background vocals
Stephanie Spruill - background vocals
Michael Stephenson - background vocals
Ron Stockert - synthesizer, clavinet
Marsha Thacker - background vocals
Tony Walthers - background vocals
Jeff Deane - horn
W.D. Smith - Hammond organ
Review by 1969SL:
Strangely ignored upon the time of it's release,this album was one of the first steps Tina Turner did solo after leaving you-know-who.
There is nothing wrong with it at all,it was very contemporary and modern-sounding for it's time,cleverly playing with tigress image,all passion and bombastic (how can you go wrong when opening concerts with "The Bitch Is Back"?) but also showing occasional tenderness in ballads ("The Woman In A Man's World") that were never present in her back catalogue.
Producer Bob Monaco knowingly anticipated rock move that would catapult her to stars just six years later but while on "Private Dancer" she was surrounded with newest euro-pop masters who clashed her strong voice with synthesizers,here she was still USA artist rocking to 1970s songs and it did not set charts on fire,there were others who also recorded similar albums at the time (Martha Reeves comes to mind).
Good points of "Rough" are in they showed far more versatility than Turner was ever allowed earlier - Ike wanted her to shake and shimmy and lots of people never had idea that she could sing a ballad,for example.Unfortunately songs were nothing special and no matter how hard she tried (and Turner always gave her 100%) it didn't sell well,perhaps lack of promotion by recording company played a role in this,who knows.
When compared to fireworks she had with ex-husband,this album does not lack passion - just listen her heart-breaking version of "Funny How Time Slips Away" with its hair-rising,gospel finale - but I remember even now that at first listening I thought that her rock-meet-blues "Night Time Is The Right Time" or New Orleans explosion called "Hurricane and Earthquake" made far more sense artistically than her own Donna-Summer-moment in "Fruits of the Night".
Turner was in excellent voice all the way through the album and it's still a joy to hear her like this,feeling of freedom and fire clearly audible.When she whoops with pleasure in "Root,Toot Undisputable Rock'nRoller" she really brings conviction to every silly word and it's all great fun. What a woman,what a legend.
1974 - Tina Turns the Country On!
1975 - Acid Queen
1978 - Rough
1979 - Love Explosion
1984 - Private Dancer
1986 - Break every rule
1989 - Foreign Affair
1993 - What's love got to do with it
1996 - Wildest Dreams
1999 - Twenty Four Seven
