Shirley Murdock

Shirley Murdock
Shirley Murdock
Birth name	Shirley Murdock
Born	May 22, 1957 (age 67); Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Genres	R&B; soul; jazz-funk; gospel; smooth soul;
Occupation	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals; piano;
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Elektra Records; Dexterity Sounds/EMI Gospel; Tyscot Records

Shirley Murdock (born May 22, 1957)^[1] is an American R&B singer-songwriter, who is best known for her 1986 R&B hit single "As We Lay" and for her vocals on Zapp and Roger's hit single "Computer Love".^[2] Her lead vocal special guest appearance with Smooth Jazz artist Ben Tankard, climbed to #1 Gospel and #20 on Billboard Top 200 on WOW Gospel 2006 and is certified Gold. Their collaboration of the Lionel Richie song "Jesus Is Love" is one of the most played songs on Sirius XM Radio gospel channel for eight years since its initial release.

Career

Murdock started out singing gospel music in her native Toledo.^[2] Singer/musician Roger Troutman hired Murdock as a backing vocalist for his family's band Zapp, which had several hits on Warner Bros. (and its Reprise Records imprint).^[2] Based on this success, Troutman began recording tracks with Murdock and lead singer Sugarfoot of the Ohio Players, among others, at his Dayton-based recording studio, Troutman Sound Labs.^[2] Murdock and Troutman's first charted single was a Warner Bros. single issued as Roger (featuring Shirley Murdock), "Girl, Cut It Out", which charted at number 79 R&B in early 1985.^[3]

Murdock signed with Elektra Records and released "No More", written by Shirley Murdock and Gregory Jackson (Cincinnati, Ohio funk keyboardist and member of Zapp), which made it to number 24 R&B in early 1986.^[4] Then came her signature hit, "As We Lay", written by Zapp's Larry Troutman and keyboardist Billy Beck (of the Ohio Players). The tender, melancholy ballad made it to the R&B Top Ten in 1986 and peaked at number 23 pop and number 21 on the adult contemporary chart in early 1987.^[4] Her debut album was certified gold, also helped along by the follow-up hits "Go on Without You" and "Be Free." She also released albums in 1988 (A Woman's Point of View) and 1991 (Let There Be Love!). In early 2000, Murdock toured in the inspirational/gospel play Be Careful What You Pray For with Cuba Gooding, Sr. and David Peaston.^[1]

Murdock released Home, her gospel-music debut album, in 2002 on T.D. Jakes' Dexterity Sounds record label. She made her acting debut in the movie Sweating in the Spirit. Most recently, Murdock has signed with Tyscot Records and released her most recent album in March 2007.^[5]

In 2009, Murdock collaborated with Teena Marie on the song "Soldier", from Marie's album Congo Square.^[6] She also appeared in the 2009 stage play A Mother's Prayer, with Johnny Gill, Robin Givens, and Jermaine Crawford. She also appeared in "A Mother's Love" a stage play produced by Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker in 2014.

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions			Certifications
Year	Album details	US ^[7]	US R&B	US Gos	Certifications
1986	Shirley Murdock! First studio album Release date: February 18, 1986 Label: Elektra	44	9	—	RIAA: Gold^[8]
1988	A Woman's Point of View Second studio album Release date: May 31, 1988 Label: Elektra	137	19	—
1991	Let There Be Love! Third studio album Release date: June 17, 1991 Label: Elektra	—	22	—
2002	Home Fourth studio album Release date: February 26, 2002 Label: Chordant	—	—	9
2007	Soulfood Fifth studio album Release date: March 20, 2007 Label: Tyscot	—	71	7
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

Year	Album details	Peak
Year	Album details	US Gos
2011	Live: The Journey First live album Release date: October 18, 2011 Label: Tyscot	24

Compilation albums

Year	Album details
2001	The Very Best of Shirley Murdock First compilation album Released: May 15, 2001 Label: Elektra/Rhino/Atlantic

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions						Album
Year	Single	US ^[4]	US R&B ^[4]	US A/C ^[4]	US Dan ^[4]	US Gos	UK ^[9]	Album
1986	"No More"	—	24	—	27	—	—	Shirley Murdock!
	"Truth or Dare"	—	—	—	—	—	60
	"As We Lay"	23	5	21	—	—	—
1987	"Go on Without You"	—	5	—	—	—	—
1987	"Be Free"	—	86	—	—	—	—
1988	"Husband"	—	5	—	—	—	—	A Woman's Point of View
	"Oh What a Feeling"	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Found My Way"	—	—	—	—	—	—
1991	"In Your Eyes"	—	7	—	—	—	—	Let There Be Love!
1991	"Stay with Me Tonight"	—	34	—	—	—	—
1992	"Let There Be Love!"	—	89	—	47	—	—
2007	"I Love Me Better Than That"	—	—	—	—	22	—	Soulfood
2011	"Dream"	—	—	—	—	22	—	Live: The Journey
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.