Maxine Nightingale
Maxine Nightingale (born November 2, 1952) is an English R&B, soul, and disco singer famous for her 1970s hits, especially the multi-million selling "Right Back Where We Started From" (US #2, 1976) and "Lead Me On" (US #5, 1979), known for her powerful voice and enduring presence in disco music, continuing to perform globally.
Born in Wembley, England, Nightingale started singing in school bands before joining the British cabaret circuit with a group called Unisound. She was encouraged to record demos, leading to her first releases with Pye Records, though initial attempts weren't major successes.
Her career launched with the iconic "Right Back Where We Started From," written by J. Vincent Edwards, who convinced her to record it (initially under a pseudonym). The song became a global hit, reaching #2 in the US in 1976 and cementing her status in the disco era. She followed up with other hits, including "Love Hit Me" and the Easy Listening chart-topper "Lead Me On" in 1979.
Nightingale is celebrated for her soulful vocals, performing classic R&B, soul, and disco. Her music often explored themes of love, resilience, and nostalgia, with "Right Back Where We Started From" symbolizing enduring affection.
She has maintained an active career, headlining shows, touring internationally (like on the Ultimate Disco Cruise), and releasing new versions of her hits. Her music continues to be featured in films and TV shows, keeping her iconic sound relevant.
Following her pop success, Nightingale spent time performing jazz. Since 2000, she has been involved in the "retro" music scene and continues to tour. She has one daughter, Langka, with her ex-husband Minoru Terada Domberger, a director she met while performing in Hair in Germany. Nightingale currently resides in Los Angeles, California, while touring worldwide.
Right Back Where We Started From
Written-By – Tim Moore 3:29
A2 Bless You
Written-By – John Lennon 4:30
A3 Right Back Where We Started From
Written-By – Edwards, Tubbs 3:11
A4 In Love We Grow
Written-By – D. Belfield 2:39
A5 Gotta Be The One
Written-By – Tubbs 2:50
A6 One Last Ride
Written-By – Tubbs 2:33
A7 Reasons
Written-By – C. Stepney, M. White, P. Bailey 4:23
B1 If I Ever Lose This Heaven
Written-By – Ware, Sawyer 3:59
B2 Love Enough
Written-By – Tim Moore 3:35
B3 You Got The Love
Written-By – C. Kahn, R. Parker Jr. 4:35
B4 Life Has Just Begun
Written-By – G. Nightingale 3:38
B5 Everytime I See A Butterfly
Written-By – Tiny Barge 3:37
B6 Goodbye Again
Written-By – Edwards, Tubbs 3:25
Label: United Artists Records – UA-LA626-G
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Maxine Nightingale's Right Back Where We Started From album (1976) is best known for its iconic title track, a bouncy disco-soul hit, but contemporary reviews found the full album uneven, featuring engaging soul/pop alongside weaker ballads and uninspired disco, often seen as a quick cash-in on the hit single's success, though it captures that late-70s UK Northern Soul-influenced vibe.
The title track is a standout, described as catchy, upbeat, and a supreme disco classic that defined the album's spirit. Critics felt the rest of the album didn't match the single, containing "mild, unexciting ballads" and "listless disco forays".
The album reflects the UK's Northern Soul scene and Motown revival, blending soul, pop, and early disco with a distinct feel.
Track Highlights (Beyond the Title): "Gotta Be the One" was another single, reaching the Top 40, while tracks like "Reasons" were considered decent, contrasting with weaker cuts like "Life Has Just Begun".
Overall Sentiment: While the album birthed a timeless classic and captures a specific era of UK music, many contemporary critics viewed it as inconsistent, with its strengths concentrated in its hit singles rather than the overall cohesive album experience. It's a project where the parts (singles) were often greater than the whole.