Alexander O’Neal<div hidden>Alexander O Neal Alexander ONeal</div>
Alexander O’Neal (born November 15, 1953) is a prominent American R&B and soul singer known for his grit, range, and powerful voice, which critics have often compared to Otis Redding. Emerging from the Minneapolis music scene in the early 1980s, he became an international star, particularly in the UK, with hits such as "Criticize," "Fake," and his iconic duets with Cherrelle, "Saturday Love" and "Never Knew Love Like This".
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Born in Natchez, Mississippi, O'Neal grew up during the Civil Rights movement, an era marked by racial tension he later detailed in his autobiography, All True, Man. He moved to Minneapolis at age 20 and joined several bands, including Flyte Tyme with future legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. In 1980, O’Neal was originally recruited by Prince to lead the band The Time. However, after a disagreement, he was replaced by Morris Day.
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O’Neal signed with Tabu Records in 1984, reuniting with producers Jam and Lewis. His self-titled debut album (1985) and the triple-platinum follow-up, Hearsay (1987), established him as a major force. Hearsay included his biggest US hit, "Fake," which topped the R&B charts. While successful in the US, O’Neal achieved even greater mainstream success in the United Kingdom, scoring 14 Top 40 singles between 1985 and 1996.
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O'Neal has been open about his past struggles with drug addiction and the volatility of his personal relationships. In later years, he became a familiar face on British reality TV, appearing on Wife Swap UK, The Weakest Link, and Celebrity Big Brother (2015).
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In late 2025, O'Neal and his wife, Cynthia, whom he married in 2024 after a 30-year relationship, were hospitalized following an apartment fire in Burnsville, Minnesota. As of 2024–2025, O’Neal has been performing his "Time to Say Goodbye" farewell tour, celebrating a career spanning five decades.
Hearsay
A2 (What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements By] – Jam & Lewis
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Alexander O'Neal, Jam & Lewis
Backing Vocals – Lisa Keith
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Musician, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Terry Lewis
Written-By – James Harris III And Terry Lewis 4:25
A3 Intro 0:57
A4 Hearsay
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements By] – Jam & Lewis
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Alexander O'Neal, Jam & Lewis
Handclaps – Jellybean, Jam & Lewis, Kelli Anderson, Popeye
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Musician, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Terry Lewis
Written-By – James Harris III And Terry Lewis 4:01
A5 Intro 0:13
A6 The Lovers
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements By] – Jam & Lewis
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Alexander O'Neal, Jam & Lewis
Handclaps – Jellybean, Jam & Lewis, Kelli Anderson, Popeye
Musician, Backing Vocals – Cherrelle, Lisa Keith, Randy Ran
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Musician, Percussion – Steve Hodge
Musician, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Terry Lewis
Written-By – James Harris III And Terry Lewis 4:38
A7 Intro 0:45
A8 Fake
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements By] – Jam & Lewis
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Alexander O'Neal, Jam & Lewis
Backing Vocals [Fake Fellas] – James "Popeye" Greer, Jellybean Johnson, Jerome Benton, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Musician, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Terry Lewis
Written-By – James Harris III And Terry Lewis 3:56
A9 Intro 0:37
A10 Criticize
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements By] – Jellybean Johnson
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Alexander O'Neal, Jellybean Johnson, Lisa Keith
Musician, Backing Vocals – Lisa Keith
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Guitar, Drums, Percussion – Jellybean Johnson
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Synth Programming], Keyboards – Jimmy Jam
Written-By – Alexander O'Neal, Garry Johnson 4:07
B1 Intro 0:26
B2 Never Knew Love Like This
Arranged By – Alexander O'Neal, Cherrelle, Jam & Lewis
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements By] – Jam & Lewis
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Alexander O'Neal, Jam & Lewis
Musician, Backing Vocals – Randy Ran
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Musician, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Cherrelle
Musician, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Terry Lewis
Musician, Soloist [Saxophone Solo], Saxophone – David Eiland
Written-By – James Harris III And Terry Lewis 5:09
B3 Interlude 0:17
B4 Sunshine
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements By] – Jam & Lewis
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Alexander O'Neal, Jam & Lewis
Musician, Backing Vocals – Randy Ran, Randy Ran
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Musician, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Terry Lewis
Written-By – James Harris III And Terry Lewis 5:59
B5 Interlude 0:19
B6 Crying Overtime
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements By] – Jam & Lewis
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Alexander O'Neal, Jam & Lewis
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Musician, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Terry Lewis
Written-By – James Harris III And Terry Lewis 4:55
B7 Intro 0:24
B8 When The Party's Over
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements By] – Jam & Lewis
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements By] – Alexander O'Neal, Jam & Lewis
Musician, Backing Vocals – Randy Ran
Musician, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Keyboards, Percussion – Jimmy Jam
Musician, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Terry Lewis
Written-By – James Harris III And Terry Lewis 3:29
Label: Tabu Records – FZ 40320
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Contemporary R&B
Alexander O'Neal's Hearsay album is widely hailed as a masterpiece of 80s R&B/soul, praised for its seamless blend of danceable funk hits like "Criticize" and "Fake" with heartfelt ballads, all held together by Jam & Lewis's tight production and O'Neal's flawless, powerful vocals. The album functions as a conceptual "night out," building from lively party tracks to mellow endings, featuring iconic duets with Cherrelle and remaining fresh and relevant decades later, solidifying its status as a filler-free, classic album that brought soul to the mainstream dance floor.
The album tells a story, transitioning from high-energy dance tracks ("Intro," "Hearsay," "Fake," "Criticize") to more romantic, slower numbers ("Never Knew Love Like This," "Crying Overtime," "Sunshine"), creating a cohesive listening experience.
The legendary production duo provided their "finest and tightest" work, delivering catchy beats, hook-laden songs, and ample space for O'Neal's voice, making it sound both distinctly 80s and timeless.
O'Neal's voice is consistently praised as powerful, soulful, explosive, and perfectly suited to the tracks, showcasing his mastery.
Tracks like "Fake" (a surprise #1 hit), "Criticize," and "What Can I Say (To Make You Love Me)" became massive hits, especially in the UK, making O'Neal a household name.
The collaboration with Cherrelle on "Never Knew Love Like This" is a standout, highlighting their complementary voices.
Reviewers call it an absolute masterpiece, a career high for O'Neal, and a perfect album with no weak tracks. Despite its 80s sound, critics note it hasn't dated and sounds as fresh today as it did upon release.
While perhaps dismissed by some "cognoscenti," it was adored by the masses and sold incredibly well, especially in the UK, where it went multi-platinum.
Overall: Hearsay is considered Alexander O'Neal's definitive work, a perfectly crafted album that blended sophisticated R&B with undeniable dancefloor appeal, cementing its place as a beloved classic.
Alexander ONeal Alexander O Neal
Love Makes No Sense
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By, Arranged By [Vocals], Drum Programming, Percussion – Jon Nettlesbey
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By, Arranged By [Vocals], Keyboards, Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Terry Coffey
4:36
2 If U Let It
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Rhythm], Keyboards, Drum Programming, Percussion, Recorded By – Lance Alexander
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Vocals], Backing Vocals, Recorded By – Tony Tolbert
5:14
3 Aphrodisia
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Rhythm], Keyboards, Drum Programming, Percussion, Recorded By – Lance Alexander
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Vocals], Backing Vocals – Tony Tolbert
5:18
4 Love Makes No Sense
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Rhythm], Keyboards, Drum Programming, Percussion, Piano, Synthesizer, Recorded By – Lance Alexander
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Vocals], Vocals [Additional], Backing Vocals, Recorded By – Tony Tolbert
6:58
5 Home Is Where The Heart Is
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Rhythm & Vocals], Keyboards, Drum Programming, Percussion, Recorded By – Zac Harmon
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals & Strings], Piano, Synthesizer [Minimoog], Keyboards, Drum Programming, Percussion, Recorded By – Christopher Troy
6:15
6 Change Of Heart
Written-By – Christopher Troy, Diane Quander, Zac Harmon
4:44
7 Lady
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Rhythm], Keyboards, Synthesizer, Bass, Drum Programming, Percussion, Recorded By – Lance Alexander
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By [Vocals], Backing Vocals, Recorded By – Tony Tolbert
5:34
8 All That Matters To Me
Written-By – Allee Willis, Franne Golde
4:29
9 Since I've Been Loving You
Written-By – Franne Golde, Michael Bolton
4:01
10 Your Precious Love
Written-By – Nickolas Ashford/Valerie Simpson
Label: Tabu Records – 31454 9501 2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1993
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Contemporary R&B, Soul
Alexander O'Neal's Love Makes No Sense (1993) is generally seen as a solid, well-produced album showcasing his rich voice, blending classic soul with contemporary R&B and New Jack Swing. Reviewers praise its strong grooves like "In The Middle" and "If U Let It," poignant ballads such as "Home Is Where The Heart Is," and standout tracks like the soulful "All That Matters" and his take on "What A Wonderful World," though some found slower tracks a bit lengthy, but overall a strong, consistent effort.
Fresh, modern sounds from new producers (like Jon Nettlesbey & Terry Coffey, Lance Alexander & Prof T) alongside O'Neal's signature style, featuring swing-beat and synth grooves. It marks a shift as O'Neal's final album for Tabu and his first without Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis's formal production.
The album provided a chance for O'Neal to stretch out, showcasing his range from soulful moans to powerful singing, especially on slower, more introspective songs.
Standout Tracks: "In The Middle," "If U Let It" (New Jack Swing), "Aphrodisia," "Home Is Where The Heart Is," "All That Matters," and the cover of "What A Wonderful World".
It features a mix of upbeat dance tracks, romantic mid-tempo grooves, and heartfelt ballads that encourage reflection on relationships.
Some felt the album could have used more up-tempo tracks for variety, as ballads like "Home Is Where The Heart Is" could be considered long.
Considered a consistent, well-crafted album that highlights O'Neal's unique talent, echoing the quality of his earlier Hearsay album. It received high praise from fans for its quality and soulful depth, making it a favorite for both nostalgic and new listeners.
Alexander O Neal Alexander ONeal