Bent Out of Shape
Bent Out of Shape is the seventh studio album by the English hard rock band Rainbow, released on August 24, 1983, by Polydor Records.[1] Featuring a lineup of Ritchie Blackmore on guitars, Joe Lynn Turner on lead vocals, Roger Glover on bass and percussion, David Rosenthal on keyboards, and Chuck Burgi on drums, the album marked the band's final studio release with this configuration before a lengthy hiatus.[2][3] Produced by Roger Glover and recorded at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark, it runs for 42 minutes and 35 seconds across ten tracks, blending hard rock with AOR elements.[4][5] Key tracks include the lead single "Street of Dreams," co-written by Blackmore and Turner, which achieved significant airplay on US rock radio and peaked at number 52 on the UK Singles Chart.[6][7] Other notable songs are "Can't Let You Go" and "Fool for the Night," with the full tracklist comprising "Stranded," "Can't Let You Go," "Fool for the Night," "Fire Dance," "Anybody There," "Desperate Heart," "Street of Dreams," "Drinking with the Devil," "Snowman," and "Make Your Move."[5] Commercially, Bent Out of Shape reached number 11 on the UK Albums Chart, number 6 in Sweden and Norway, and number 34 on the US Billboard 200, where it spent 21 weeks.[3] Critically, it received mixed reviews for its polished, radio-friendly sound, though it has been praised for Blackmore's guitar work and Turner's vocals, solidifying Rainbow's transition toward mainstream hard rock in the 1980s.[8][1]Background
Band context prior to album
Rainbow was formed in 1975 by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore shortly after his departure from Deep Purple amid creative disagreements.[9] Initially named Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, the band drew its core members from the American hard rock group Elf, including vocalist Ronnie James Dio, bassist Craig Gruber, keyboardist Mickey Lee Soule, and drummer Gary Driscoll.[10] This lineup recorded the band's debut album, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, released in November 1975, which showcased Blackmore's neoclassical guitar style fused with heavy rock riffs and Dio's operatic vocals, achieving moderate success in the UK and US.[9][10] For the follow-up album Rising in 1976, Blackmore restructured the band, keeping only Dio and adding drummer Cozy Powell, bassist Jimmy Bain, and keyboardist Tony Carey to emphasize a more dynamic and progressive sound.[9] The album, released in May 1976, elevated Rainbow's profile with tracks like "Stargazer" and "A Light in the Black," supported by extensive touring that built a strong European fanbase.[10] The band released a live album, On Stage, in 1977 before Long Live Rock 'n' Roll in 1978, which featured new bassist Bob Daisley and keyboardist David Stone; however, growing tensions between Blackmore and Dio culminated in Dio's exit to join Black Sabbath.[9] In 1979, Blackmore assembled a new lineup with vocalist Graham Bonnet, returning bassist Roger Glover (formerly of Deep Purple), keyboardist Don Airey, and retained drummer Powell for Down to Earth, shifting toward a more accessible hard rock style that yielded hits like "Since You Been Gone" and topped charts in several European countries.[9][10] Bonnet was dismissed in 1980 following a subpar live performance, leading to the recruitment of vocalist Joe Lynn Turner and drummer Bobby Rondinelli.[9] This iteration, featuring keyboardist Don Airey, produced Difficult to Cure that year. David Rosenthal replaced Airey later in 1981, and the band with Rosenthal produced Straight Between the Eyes in 1982, which further refined the band's polished hard rock direction and maintained their commercial momentum in the UK and Japan.[11][9]Lineup changes and formation
Following the lineup established for Rainbow's 1982 album Straight Between the Eyes, which introduced keyboardist David Rosenthal in place of Don Airey, the band experienced one further personnel shift prior to Bent Out of Shape.[12] Drummer Bobby Rondinelli, who had contributed to Straight Between the Eyes and the preceding Difficult to Cure (1981), departed the group. Rondinelli's replacement was Chuck Burgi, a versatile session drummer known for his work with Hall & Oates and the band Balance. Burgi was brought in through a recommendation from vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, with whom he shared a prior professional connection, allowing him to participate in both the album's recording and the subsequent tour.[13] This adjustment completed the quintet that would define the Bent Out of Shape era: Ritchie Blackmore on guitars, Joe Lynn Turner on lead vocals, Roger Glover on bass and percussion, David Rosenthal on keyboards, and Burgi on drums.[14] The core rhythm section of Blackmore, Turner, and Glover had remained intact since 1979's Down to Earth, providing continuity amid Blackmore's history of rotating members to align with his evolving hard rock vision.[15] Rosenthal's integration, starting with Straight Between the Eyes, had already shifted the band's keyboard sound toward a more streamlined, less symphonic approach compared to Airey's tenure.[12] Burgi's arrival further refined the lineup's cohesion, emphasizing tight, radio-friendly grooves suited to the album's AOR-leaning production.[4]Recording and production
Songwriting process
The songwriting for Bent Out of Shape primarily involved collaboration between guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, who co-wrote the majority of the album's ten tracks. Bassist Roger Glover contributed to select songs, such as adding lyrics or arrangements, while keyboardist David Rosenthal received credit on one track for additional composition. This marked a shift from earlier Rainbow albums, with Turner taking a more prominent role in lyrical development alongside Blackmore's riff-based foundations.[4][5] The process typically began outside the studio to control costs, starting with Blackmore presenting guitar riffs or musical ideas, which Turner and Glover would then expand into full songs by crafting melodies, lyrics, and structures. Turner described sessions as organic, sometimes yielding immediate "magic" and other times requiring iteration, emphasizing a focus on emotional delivery over technical virtuosity. For instance, the lead single "Street of Dreams" originated from a vivid dream Turner had, where he awoke in the middle of the night to scribble down lyrical sketches; he completed the song the next morning, capturing themes of the tension between reality and fantasy. Blackmore later built the music around Turner's vocal melody during recording in Copenhagen.[16][16][17] Other tracks followed similar patterns, with Blackmore's classical influences evident in instrumentals like "Snowman" and "Fire Dance," co-written with Turner to blend hard rock energy and melodic introspection. Turner noted that the album's cohesive sound stemmed from this streamlined duo-led approach, allowing for tighter, radio-friendly compositions compared to Rainbow's more experimental prior works.[16]Studio sessions and technical details
The recording sessions for Bent Out of Shape took place at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark, during early 1983.[14] The album was produced by Rainbow bassist Roger Glover, marking his first production role for the band since Down to Earth in 1979; Glover also played percussion on several tracks.[3][14] Flemming Rasmussen served as the primary recording engineer, with Thomas Breckling assisting; Rasmussen's work at Sweet Silence was noted for its clear, dynamic sound capture in hard rock productions.[18] Mixing duties were handled by Nick Blagona at Beartracks Studios in Suffern, New York, emphasizing a polished, radio-friendly finish that aligned with the band's evolving AOR influences.[18] The sessions resulted in a 42-minute album featuring layered guitar tones from Ritchie Blackmore, achieved through his signature Stratocaster and Marshall amplification setup, alongside Joe Lynn Turner's multi-tracked vocals for harmonic depth.[14] Mastering was completed at Sterling Sound in New York, ensuring consistent loudness and clarity across the ten tracks.[18] The production prioritized a balance between Blackmore's hard rock roots and commercial accessibility, with keyboardist Dave Rosenthal incorporating synthesizers and orchestral elements, such as the string arrangement on "Snowman" derived from Howard Blake's original composition.[14]Composition
Musical style
Bent Out of Shape exemplifies Rainbow's transition to a more commercial hard rock sound infused with album-oriented rock (AOR) elements, prioritizing melodic accessibility and radio appeal over the raw intensity of their earlier heavy metal-influenced work. The album's polished production, achieved through sessions at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, results in a slick, layered texture that balances drive and refinement, targeting the American market amid the 1980s rock landscape.[4][19] Instrumentation plays a pivotal role in this stylistic shift, with Ritchie Blackmore's guitar work adopting a staccato, riff-driven approach that intertwines closely with David Rosenthal's prominent keyboards, creating a symphonic hard rock dynamic. Rosenthal's contributions introduce operatic intros and cheesy, era-typical synth flourishes, as in the vibrating keyboard lines of "Street of Dreams," while Blackmore delivers frenzied solos and stop-start riffs in tracks like "Stranded" and "Fire Dance." Joe Lynn Turner's gruff yet melodic vocals provide a smooth, high-register delivery that aligns with AOR conventions, enhancing the album's commercial polish without overpowering the instrumental focus.[20][8] Representative tracks illustrate the album's blend of styles: "Can't Let You Go" opens with an operatic keyboard swell leading into punchy hard rock, "Street of Dreams" offers catchy, keyboard-accented hooks that peaked at No. 52 in the UK and No. 60 in the US, and the bluesy instrumental "Anybody There" nods to Blackmore's earlier, guitar-centric roots. In contrast, "Fire Dance" and "Drinking with the Devil" retain echoes of the band's Dio-era aggression through intense guitar solos, while the unconventional "Snowman"—a reworking of Howard Blake's theme from the animated film—adds an experimental, pop-leaning diversion. Overall, these elements underscore Bent Out of Shape's position as Rainbow's most AOR-oriented release, though it occasionally preserves hard rock vigor for longtime fans.[19][20]Lyrics and themes
The lyrics of Bent Out of Shape, primarily penned by vocalist Joe Lynn Turner in collaboration with producer Roger Glover, delve into introspective and emotional territory, reflecting personal turmoil, spiritual exploration, and the excesses of the rock lifestyle. This marked a shift from the fantastical and mythological narratives of Rainbow's earlier Dio-era work toward more grounded, autobiographical expressions, aligning with the band's evolving commercial hard rock sound. Turner has described the album's overarching theme as capturing a "bent out of shape" mindset, emblematic of emotional and psychological strain during the recording period.[16] Several tracks explore isolation and longing, such as "Stranded," where Turner conveys a sense of being emotionally marooned, inspired by gazing out a hotel window in Copenhagen during a tour stop. Similarly, "Desperate Heart" addresses raw emotional yearning, with lyrics pleading for connection amid despair; Turner noted its resonance in capturing vulnerability. "Can't Let You Go" echoes this motif, focusing on an unbreakable romantic attachment, with Turner delivering what guitarist Ritchie Blackmore called his finest vocal performance on the album. These songs prioritize melodic accessibility, blending hard rock drive with AOR sensibilities to emphasize relational strife.[21][21] Spiritual and supernatural elements recur, adding depth to the album's thematic palette. "Fire Dance" draws on occult imagery tied to Wicca and Aleister Crowley, with Turner recounting a feeling of being "possessed" during its creation, evoking ritualistic fervor through fiery, metaphorical language. The instrumental "Anybody There" stems from a séance theme, its title derived from invocation phrases, and is built on a Bach-inspired prelude, underscoring a quest for otherworldly presence. Most prominently, "Street of Dreams"—the album's lead single and highest-charting U.S. hit at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100—centers on reincarnation and belief in past lives, born from Turner's recurring dreams of a enigmatic woman. He has framed it as a "spiritual experience," likening it to a sequel of sorts to the prior album's "Stone Cold," with lyrics pondering eternal love and mystery; Blackmore viewed its stormy recording session in Copenhagen as a mystical omen.[21][21][22] The rock 'n' roll lifestyle's seductive dangers surface in "Fool for the Night," an autobiographical piece where Turner admits to the addictive pull of fame and excess, portraying a protagonist ensnared by nocturnal temptations. "Make Your Move" urges transformation amid stagnation, echoing calls for personal reinvention that mirror the band's own lineup shifts. These themes culminate in a soul-searching undercurrent across the record, as interpreted by reviewers. Overall, the lyrics humanize Rainbow's bombastic style, prioritizing emotional authenticity over epic grandeur.[21][21][2]Release
Formats and packaging
Bent Out of Shape was originally released on 24 August 1983 in the UK and in September 1983 in the US by Polydor Records in multiple international markets, primarily as a vinyl LP and cassette tape. The standard LP edition, such as the UK pressing (Polydor POLD 5116), featured a glossy picture sleeve depicting a surreal, metallic sculpture-like image on the front cover, with a printed inner sleeve containing full lyrics and credits. Similar packaging was used for other regional vinyl releases, including those in the US (Mercury 815 305-1 M-1), Germany (Polydor 815 305-1), Japan (Polydor 28MM 0300), and Australia (Polydor 815 305-1), though some variants like club editions included minor pressing differences without altering the artwork or sleeve design.[14][5][23] The cassette version, released concurrently in markets like the UK (Polydor POLDC 5116), Germany (Polydor 815 305-4), and the US (Mercury 815 305-4 M-1), incorporated Dolby noise reduction and extended track edits compared to the vinyl, extending the total runtime slightly for better tape flow. Packaging for cassettes typically included a standard J-card insert with artwork matching the LP sleeve and abbreviated liner notes. A rarer 8-track cartridge edition was also issued in the US (Mercury S134453) for club members, featuring basic cartridge housing without additional inserts.[14] Subsequent reissues expanded the formats to include CD and remastered vinyl. The first CD edition appeared in 1987 (Polydor 815 305-2) for the US and European markets, with a jewel case, four-page booklet reproducing the original artwork, lyrics, and credits. In 1999, Polydor released a digitally remastered CD version as part of their Rainbow reissue series, maintaining packaging faithful to the 1983 LP design, including the metallic cover image and full liner notes. A 180-gram audiophile vinyl reissue followed in later years, such as the 2015 edition, which replicated the original inner sleeve and sleeve artwork for high-fidelity playback. Digital formats, including streaming on platforms like Spotify, became available in the 2000s without physical packaging.[24][14][25]Commercial performance
Bent Out of Shape, released on 24 August 1983 in the United Kingdom and September 1983 in the United States by Polydor Records, achieved moderate commercial success, particularly in Europe, reflecting Rainbow's established fanbase in hard rock markets during the early 1980s. The album benefited from the band's prior momentum, including extensive touring and radio airplay of singles like "Can't Let You Go," which helped drive initial sales. However, it did not attain the blockbuster status of earlier releases like Rising or Down to Earth, amid shifting musical tastes toward pop and new wave. In the United Kingdom, Bent Out of Shape entered the Official Albums Chart on 17 September 1983 and peaked at number 11, spending a total of six weeks in the top 100, with two weeks in the top 20. It performed strongly in Scandinavian territories, reaching number 6 on both the Swedish and Norwegian album charts, underscoring the band's regional popularity. In Finland, it peaked at number 2. In Germany, the album charted more modestly, peaking at number 25 upon its entry on 10 October 1983. Across the Atlantic, the album debuted on the Billboard 200 on 1 October 1983 and climbed to a peak of number 34, marking Rainbow's lowest-charting U.S. studio album up to that point and spending approximately 21 weeks on the chart. This position highlighted a cooling of the band's American appeal compared to previous efforts.| Country | Peak Position | Chart Run Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 11 | 6 weeks total; entered 17 Sep 1983 | Official Charts |
| Sweden | 6 | Top 10 entry; 5 weeks | uDiscover Music |
| Norway | 6 | Top 10 entry; 5 weeks | uDiscover Music |
| Finland | 2 | Top 10 entry | Joe Lynn Turner Official |
| Germany | 25 | Entered 10 Oct 1983 | Offizielle Deutsche Charts |
| United States | 34 | 21 weeks; entered 1 Oct 1983 | Deep Purple Podcast |
Promotion
Singles
The lead single from Bent Out of Shape, "Street of Dreams", was released in August 1983 on Polydor Records in 7" vinyl format, with "Anybody There" as the B-side and a live version of "Power" on some editions.[17][26] The track, written by Ritchie Blackmore and Joe Lynn Turner, entered the UK Singles Chart on 27 August 1983, peaking at number 52 over three weeks.[7] In the United States, it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on 5 November 1983, reaching a peak of number 60 during a ten-week run, while topping out at number 3 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[6] An official music video was produced to promote the single.[27] The follow-up single, "Can't Let You Go", followed in October 1983, also on Polydor in 7" vinyl format (catalogue POSP 654), backed by a live recording of "All Night Long" from a September 1983 performance at St. David's Hall in Cardiff.[28][29] It entered the UK Singles Chart on 5 November 1983, achieving a peak position of number 43 across two weeks.[30] A music video directed by Dominic Orlando was released in 1984 to support promotion.[31]| Single | Release Date | UK Peak | US Hot 100 Peak | US Mainstream Rock Peak | B-Side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Street of Dreams" | August 1983 | 52 | 60 | 3 | "Anybody There" / "Power" (live) |
| "Can't Let You Go" | October 1983 | 43 | — | — | "All Night Long" (live) |
Touring and marketing
The Bent Out of Shape World Tour began on September 6, 1983, at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool, England, and ran through March 11, 1984, concluding at Osaka-jō Hall in Osaka, Japan.[32] The tour featured 42 concerts across five countries, including an initial 13-show run in the United Kingdom. Lita Ford opened for Rainbow on the UK dates, providing energetic sets that complemented the headliners' hard rock performances.[33] Following the final Japanese shows, the band disbanded, with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and bassist Roger Glover soon joining Deep Purple.[34] Marketing for the album emphasized the US market, where rock radio play was prioritized to build momentum. The lead single "Street of Dreams," co-written by Blackmore and vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, became a key driver, securing airplay on American stations and helping the album debut on the Billboard 200 at No. 181 on October 1, 1983, before peaking at No. 34 over a 21-week chart run.[3] Promotional efforts included tour programs documenting the world dates and advertisements touting the record as "state of the art Rainbow," produced by Glover.[35] These strategies aligned with Rainbow's shift toward a more commercial hard rock sound aimed at broadening their international appeal.[2]Reception and legacy
Critical reception
Upon its release in September 1983, Bent Out of Shape garnered mixed critical reception, with reviewers noting the album's shift toward a more commercial hard rock sound while praising Ritchie Blackmore's guitar work as a consistent highlight. In the United Kingdom, Howard Johnson of Kerrang! magazine lauded it as "possibly Rainbow's most complete work to date," commending the band's polished production and standout tracks like "Desperate Heart" and "Street of Dreams" for their melodic strength and energy.[36] In North America, Steve Newton of The Georgia Straight described the album as less impressive than its predecessor Straight Between the Eyes, arguing that without Blackmore's "furious and fast Stratocaster" solos on songs such as "Fire Dance" and "Drinking with the Devil," it would blend into generic commercial hard rock, though it would still appeal to Deep Purple loyalists.[37] Retrospective assessments have similarly divided opinion, often viewing the record as a low point in Rainbow's discography due to its AOR leanings and perceived dilution of the band's earlier heaviness. AllMusic awarded it 2.5 out of 5 stars, reflecting a middling evaluation of its formulaic approach.[4] Louder magazine ranked it seventh out of Rainbow's eight studio albums in a 2023 feature, criticizing most tracks for missing the mark in their pop-metal direction while acknowledging the appeal of "Street of Dreams" and instrumentals like "Anybody There" to longtime fans.[19] Conversely, metal historian Martin Popoff gave it a strong 9 out of 10 in his 2005 book The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties, highlighting its melodic hooks and Blackmore's contributions as enduring strengths within the genre.Long-term impact and reissues
Bent Out of Shape has maintained a presence in hard rock discussions as Rainbow's final studio album from their original 1975–1984 incarnation, marking the end of an era before Ritchie Blackmore's return to Deep Purple in 1984.[3] The album's shift toward a more accessible AOR sound, exemplified by the hit single "Street of Dreams," which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and No. 60 on the Hot 100, contributed to its enduring radio play and recognition as a commercial hard rock staple.[38]) This track, in particular, remains a fan favorite and has been covered by artists seeking to capture Rainbow's melodic hard rock essence, underscoring the album's influence on subsequent AOR and arena rock developments.[19] Critically, the album is often ranked mid-tier in Rainbow's discography, praised for its polished production and vocal performances by Joe Lynn Turner but critiqued for diluting the band's earlier progressive edge in favor of mainstream appeal.[19] Its long-term chart legacy includes sustained international performance, reaching No. 11 in the UK and top 10 in Sweden and Norway, which helped solidify Rainbow's global hard rock footprint during the 1980s MTV era.[3] Over time, reevaluations have highlighted tracks like the instrumental "Anybody There" and "Stranded" for their instrumental prowess, influencing keyboard-heavy hard rock arrangements in later bands.[19] Reissues of Bent Out of Shape began with a remastered CD edition in May 1999 by Polydor Records, part of the label's second wave of Rainbow catalog updates, featuring digital remastering from original tapes, restored original artwork, and extended versions of tracks like "Street of Dreams" and "Can't Let You Go" compared to the 1983 vinyl.[24] This edition improved audio fidelity and became a standard reference for collectors. In 2015, Universal Music reissued the album on vinyl as part of a series reviving four Rainbow titles from the early 1980s, including faithful reproductions of the original LP packaging to appeal to analog enthusiasts.[39] Further vinyl reissues occurred in 2010 via Universal's Rock Classics/Back on Black imprint, which pressed eight Rainbow albums, including Bent Out of Shape, on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl to meet demand for high-quality re-pressings.[40] By the 2020s, the album remained available in digital formats and streaming platforms, with no major new remasters announced as of 2025, though anniversary editions in 2023 celebrated its 40th year through promotional content emphasizing its role in Rainbow's commercial peak.[3]Credits
Track listing
All tracks are written by Ritchie Blackmore and Joe Lynn Turner, except where noted.[41]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Stranded" | Blackmore, Turner | 4:25 |
| 2. | "Can't Let You Go" | Blackmore, Turner, Rosenthal | 4:19 |
| 3. | "Fool for the Night" | Blackmore, Turner | 4:03 |
| 4. | "Fire Dance" | Blackmore, Turner, Glover, Rosenthal | 4:27 |
| 5. | "Anybody There" | Blackmore, Turner | 2:37 |
| 6. | "Desperate Heart" | Blackmore, Turner | 4:00 |
| 7. | "Street of Dreams" | Blackmore, Turner | 4:24 |
| 8. | "Drinking with the Devil" | Blackmore, Turner | 3:41 |
| 9. | "Snowman" | Blake | 4:30 |
| 10. | "Make Your Move" | Blackmore, Turner | 3:55 |