Foreign Affair is the seventh studio album from Tina Turner and was a huge success in Europe with six hit singles, reaching multi-platinum status in 14 different countries. It was also Tina’s first #1 album in the UK where it topped the charts in it’s first week. It's much more R&B influenced than it's predecessors, with four songs written by Tony Joe White. On some songs, Tina is credited as a co-producer for the first time since she went solo. At her Foreign Affair Tour in 1990, she performed most of the songs live. Initially only intended for promotion, a special limited edition Passport Package was released for retail in November. The album was reviewed in Billboard magazine in it’s issue from September 30, 1989.
Photographer: Peter Lindbergh / Herb Ritts
Clothes: Azzedine Alaïa / Michael Schmidt
Release: September 1989
Label: Capitol / EMI
Format: Vinyl / CD / Cassette / Digital
Charts: Germany: #1 / UK: #1 / USA: #31 / #1 in Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Norway, Sweden / Australia: #15
Certifications: UK: 5x Platinum / Germany: 3x Gold, 2x Platinum / USA: 1x Gold
Grammy: Best Female Rock Vocal Performance (Nomination 1990)
is a rock song, originally released by Bonnie Tyler in 1988, but only with minor success. Tina’s version was the first and highly successful single from the album. She promoted the single at several TV-Shows in Europe and performed it live at every concert tour. The song became Tina Turner's anthem and was used to promote the New South Wales Rugby League in Australia with commercials and two exclusive releases - the Winfield Cup Edition in 1990 and the Grand Final Edition in 1993. Tina re-recorded the song together with Jimmy Barnes in 1992 under the slightly different title Simply The Best, and Tina’s former keyboarder Olly Marland released a special remix for Tina’s birthday in 2020.
The concept for the music video was Tina‘s idea. It shows her in a black dress, singing and dancing in the Mojave dessert and riding a horse during the saxophone part. Otherwise unreleased alternate scenes with Tina riding the horse were shown in the TV-Special Tina Turner Giving Her Best on VH-1 in 1989.
Writer: Holly Knight, Mike Chapman
Producer: Dan Hartman, Tina Turner
Photographer: Peter Lindbergh
Release: August 1989 / 1990 (Winfield Cup) / 1993 (Grand Final) / 2010 (Karaoke) / July 2020 (Digital)
Format: 7“ Vinyl / 12“ Vinyl / 3“ CD / 5“ CD / Cassette / Digital
Charts: Europe: #3, #1 (Airplay) / Germany: #4 / Australia: #4 / UK: #5 (1989), #9 (2010) / USA: #15
Certifications: UK: 1x Silver
Music Video: 4:11 / Lol Creme (Director) / Lexi Godfrey (Producer)
was the second single in Germany and America and the third one in England, including remixed dance versions from Justin Strauss. Tina used the track as the opening number for some of her concert tours, a live version is available on the album TINA Live from 2009. For promotion, she performed the song at several TV-Shows in Europe and the record company released a large number of promo records with remixed versions.
In the music video, Tina wears the same mini dress as on the cover of the single, while she is dancing together with some dancers, filmed through a wet glass. In-between, there are some scenes with couples in cars, filmed as well through the wet panes.
Writer: Tony Joe White
Producer: Dan Hartman
Photographer: Herb Ritts
Release: November 1989 (Germany, USA) / February 1990 (UK) / 2021 (Digital)
Format: 7“ Vinyl / 12“ Vinyl / 3“ CD / 5“ CD / Cassette / Digital
Charts: UK: #13 / Germany: #29 / Europe: #31 / USA: #39 (Pop), #33 (Club Play) / Australia: #34
Grammy: Best Rock Vocal Performance (Nomination 1991)
Music Video: 4:04 / Andy Morahan (Director) / Luc Roeg (Producer)
was the third single in Germany and the second one in England, but was not released in America. Tina promoted it at several TV-Shows and performed it live at her Foreign Affair Tour as a sing-along version with the audience, available on the Do You Want Some Action? home video. As a special bonus, the UK single contains a giant poster.
The music video shows different scenes with couples and Tina in-between singing on a balcony, and leaning against a window.
Photographer: Peter Lindbergh
Release: November 1989 (UK) / February 1990 (Germany) / 2021 (Digital)
Format: 7“ Vinyl / 12“ Vinyl (Poster) / 3“ CD / 5“ CD / Cassette / Digital
Charts: Europe: #4 / UK: #8 / Germany: #38 / Australia: #59
Music Video: 4:15 / Dominic Sena (Director) / Aris McGary (Producer)
is a pop song and the third single in America and the fourth one in Europe, including remixed versions from Bryan 'Chuck' New. As a special bonus, the 12“ maxi single contains a giant poster. Tina promoted the song on French TV and performed it live only at the opening night of her Foreign Affair Tour in Antwerp. The single was reviewed in Billboard magazine in it’s issue from February 24, 1990.
The music video is very colorful with Tina wearing a purple suit, dancing around together with some people in crazy costumes.
Writer: Tom Kelly, Billy Steinberg
Producer: Dan Hartman
Release: February 1990 (USA) / July 1990 (UK) / 2020 (Digital)
Format: 7“ Vinyl / 12“ Vinyl / 5“ CD / Cassette / Digital
Charts: USA: #8 (A/C), UK: #31
Music Video: 3:38 / Paula Walker (Director) / Line Postmyr (Producer)
was the fourth single, including several remixed versions from Shep Pettibone. Tina promoted the song on the German TV-Show Goldene Europa and performed it live at her Foreign Affair Tour, available on the Do You Want Some Action? home video. The single was released in some European countries, but not in England and America. The well-known picture from the cover was photographed at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, while Tina climbed the tower with her high heels.
The music video shows a man and a woman in different scenes, acting like a bullfight. Tina, totally dressed in black, is singing and dancing in an old theater together with her band and for the very last time with her dancers Ann Behringer and Lejune Richardson in the background.
Writer: Tony Joe White
Producer: Roger Davies, Tony Joe White
Photographer: Peter Lindbergh
Release: May 1990 / May 2020 (Digital)
Format: 7“ Vinyl / 12“ Vinyl / 5“ CD / Digital
Charts: Germany: #35
Music Video: 4:07 / Paula Walker (Director) / Natalie Hill (Producer)
is a slow ballad and was the last European single, not released in America. Tina performed the song as the encore at her Foreign Affair Tour and once again at her 50th Anniversary Tour. As a special bonus, a cut to shape picture disc was released in addition to the regular single.
The music video was recorded live at two concerts at Woburn Abbey in England, as part of the Foreign Affair Tour.
Already 35 Gold albums & 14 Platinum across Europe & it’s just the beginning… „Be Tender With Me Baby“ The New Single
Writer: Albert Hammond, Holly Knight
Producer: Dan Hartman
Release: October 1990 / 2021 (Digital)
Format: 7“ Vinyl (Picture) / 12“ Vinyl / 5“ CD / Cassette / Digital
Charts: UK: #28
Music Video: 4:32 / Nick Frye (Director)
This tour was announced as a world tour, but reached only European countries with concerts in the biggest stadiums, breaking the record for a European tour that was previously set by The Rolling Stones. Roger Davies suggested to work with dancers again and Tina asked her last backing girls with Lejeune Richardson (a former Ikette) and Annie Behringer to join her. Pepsi was the sponsor and used Tina’s recent hit The Best for several promotional clips.
Opening Night: April 27, 1990 / Antwerp (Belgium)
Closing Night: November 04, 1990 / Rotterdam (Netherlands)
Regions: Europe
Concerts: 120+
Visitors: 3 Mio.
The Band: Ollie Marland: Keyboard, Vocals / Jack Bruno: Drums / Bob Feit: Guitar / Timmy Capello: Persussion, Keyboard, Saxophone, Vocals / James Ralston: Guitar, Vocals / Lejeune Richardson: Dancer / Kenny Moore: Piano, Vocals / John Miles: Guitar, Vocals / Annie Behringer: Dancer
is a video compilation featuring all concept music videos from the album. All of them were reissued on the Simply The Best video collection in 1991 and again in 2021 remastered as part of the Foreign Affair (Deluxe Edition).
Photographer: Peter Lindbergh
Release: 1990
Label: EMI / Capitol
Format: VHS
Time: 23 Min.
features a concert from the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain from October 1990. It was remastered and re-issued on DVD as part of the Foreign Affair (Deluxe Edition) in 2021.
Photographer: Terence McGough
Director: Egbert van Hees
Release: November 1990 / July 2021 (DVD)
Label: Polygram
Format: VHS / Video-CD / LaserDisc / DVD
Time: 100 Min.
An Interview with Roger Scott was released for the media on vinyl and cassette, in which Tina talks amongst other things about the recording of the album. It is divided in 28 cuts with a total duration about 26 minutes. The vinyl version comes with the same cover as the regular album, a promo sticker and white labels and includes a ten page transcription with all questions and Tina’s answers.
Additionally, a Cassette Sampler features four tracks from the album, whereby three of them were later released as singles. For R&B radio stations in North America, the track Undercover Agent For The Blues was released as a promotional single.
Germany: Mensch Meier: The Best (August 31, 1989) / Na Siehste: The Best (September 20, 1989) / Nase Vorn: Steamy Windows, Interview (November 18, 1989) / Peter’s Pop Show: The Best, I Don’t Wanna Lose You, Steamy Windows (December 02, 1989) / The Best: Special (1989) / Die Achtziger: I Don’t Wanna Lose You (January 28, 1990)
UK: Top of the Pops: The Best (September 14, 1989) / Hysteria: Steamy Windows, Sketch (September 18, 1989) / Wogan: The Best (September 29, 1989) / Big World Cafe: Steamy Windows (October 17, 1989) / Royal Variety Performance: Steamy Windows, I Don’t Wanna Lose You (November 20, 1989) / Good Morning Britain: Interview (November 24, 1989) / Des O'Connor Tonight: I Don’t Wanna Lose You (November 29, 1989) / Top of the Pops: I Don’t Wanna Lose You (November 30, 1989) / Super Channel: The Best (1989) / Aspel & Company: Steamy Windows, Interview (February 02, 1990) / BRIT Awards (February 18, 1990) / Top of the Pops: Steamy Windows (February 22, 1990)
Italy: Riva Del Garda: The Best (September 16, 1989) / Vota La Voce: The Best (September 19, 1989) / Domenica in: The Best, Steamy Windows, Foreign Affair (1989) / Fantastico: The Best (1989) / Sanremo Festival: The Best, Steamy Windows (February 28, 1990)
USA: Today Show: Interview (September 19, 1989) / Ebony JET Showcase: Interview (November 17, 1989) / Friday Nights Video: Interview (1989) / Tina Giving Her Best: Special (1989)
Netherlands: Countdown: The Best, I Don’t Wanna Lose You, Foreign Affair, Steamy Windows (September 04, 1989), Interview (June 23, 1990) / TROS Show: Interview (1990) Spain: Rockopop: The Best, Interview, I Don’t Wanna Lose You, Steamy Windows (September 28, 1989) / La Luna: The Best, Steamy Windows, Interview (October 03, 1989) / Viva El Espectaculo: Steamy Windows, I Don’t Wanna Lose You, You Can’t Stop Me Loving You, The Best, Interview (February 02, 1990) Sweden: Caramba: The Best, Steamy Windows, Interview, I Don’t Wanna Lose You (November 04, 1989) Norway: Midt i smørøyet: Interview, You Can’t Stop Me Loving You (November 11, 1989) Switzerland: Grell-Pastell: Steamy Windows, Interview, You Can't Stop Me Loving You (November 16, 1989) France: Champs-Elysées: The Best, Steamy Windows (November 24, 1989) / Sacrée Soirée: Look Me In The Heart, Interview (1989) Canada: Much Music: Interview (1989) Finland: Suomessa: Special (1989) Belgium: Tien Om Te Zien: Steamy Windows (1989)
In 2021, the album was released as a Deluxe Edition, which features the original album fully remastered for the first time, a collection of B-sides and remixes, a previously unheard demo of the classic track The Best and Tina's iconic concert from Barcelona in 1990, as well as the six music videos from the album’s singles fully restored to HD.
Beside the box set, it's also available on 2-LP white and black vinyl, 2-CD and digitally. Beside the music, it contains a special, commemorative passport featuring a number of iconic photos of Tina, as well as a high-quality art card featuring photos from photographer Paul Cox. Also included is a booklet with brand-new liner notes from Holly Knight, the songwriter of four songs from the album. Additionally, there are some exclusive merchandise bundles, including shirts, a sweatshirt and a bag with Tina’s initials.
For promotion, a previously unheard demo of Tina’s anthem The Best and a remastered version of the track Stronger Than The Wind, which was the b-side of three album singles, were released as digital singles.
Release: July 16, 2021
Label: Rhino / Parlophone
Format: 2 Vinyl (white) / 2 CD / Digital / Box (4 CD, 1 DVD)