Robert Palmer Anthology

Robert Palmer is one of my very favorite artists. While his work in the 1970s is my preference, I like everything he ever did, with a small caveat for the second Power Station record, and even that has a few killer tracks. I discussed his catalog several times. Those posts are here.

Back in the pre-streaming days, when I owned a CD recorder that allowed me to record CDs from CD and vinyl sources (I still miss that device), I recorded lots of personal Best Of and Anthology CDs. Palmer got the full Anthology treatment, with a three-CD set assembled chronologically.  

Today of course you can just go to your streaming service and assemble a playlist for your listening pleasure. Neither Qobuz or Spotify have Living In Fear, the second Power Station release, but everything else is available. To replace the two from Living In Fear, you could throw in All Shook Up, a 1991 B-side, and It Hurts Me Too, a bonus track on the reissued Drive.  So if you'd like to take the deep dive into Palmer's catalog, curated by a serious Palmerophile, here's your playlist. 

CD #1
from Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley 1974:
1. Sailing Shoes
2. Hey Julia
3. Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley

from Pressure Drop 1975:
4. Give Me An Inch
5. Back In My Arms
6. Here With You Tonight
7. Trouble
8. Fine Time
9. Which Of Us Is The Fool

from Some People Can Do What They Like 1976:
10. One Last Look
11. Man Smart, Woman Smarter
12. Some People Can Do What They Like

from Double Fun 1978:
13. Best Of Both Worlds
14. Night People
15. You Overwhelm Me
16. You’re Gonna Get What’s Coming

from Secrets 1979:
17. Too Good To Be True
18. In Walks Love Again
19. Mean Old World
20. What’s It Take?
21. Remember To Remember

CD#2

from Clues 1980:
1. Looking For Clues
2. Johnny And Mary
3. Woke Up Laughing

from Maybe It’s Live 1982:
4. Some Guys Have All The Luck

from Pride 1983:
5. Pride
6. You Are In My System
7. You Can Have It (Take My Heart)
8. What You Waiting For

from The Power Station 1985:
9. Some Like It Hot
10. Lonely Tonight
11. Harvest For The World

from Riptide 1985:
12. Hyperactive
13. Addicted To Love
14. Trick Bag
15. I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On

from Heavy Nova 1988:
16. Simply Irresistible
17. Change His Ways
18. She Makes My Day

from Sweet Lies movie soundtrack 1988 and Addictions Volume 1 1989:
19. Sweet Lies

CD#3
from Don’t Explain 1990:
1. Dreams To Remember
2. History
3. I’ll Be your Baby Tonight
4. Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You
5. Top 40

Option to replace Living In Fear tracks:

All Shook Up 1991 Happiness (from Don't Explain) B-side

from Ridin’ High 1992:
6. Aeroplane
7. Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

from Honey 1994:
8. Honey B
9. Know By Now
10. Honeymoon
11. You Blow Me Away

from Living In Fear by The Power Station 1996:
12. Scared
13. Taxman

from Rhythm & Blues 1999:
14. True Love 

15. No Problem
16. Let’s Get It On 99
17. Stone Cold
18. Twenty Million Things

from Live At The Apollo 2001:
19. Riptide

from Drive 2003:

Option to replace Living In Fear tracks:

It Hurts Me Too, bonus track on expanded Drive 

20. Why Get Up?
21. I Need Your Love So Bad