Hyperactive (Robert Palmer song) explained

Hyperactive
Cover:	Robert Palmer Hyperactive 1986 Single Cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Robert Palmer
Album:	Riptide
B-Side:	Woke Up Laughing
Released:	1986
Genre:	Dance-rock
Length:	3:35 (7" version) 5:08 (album version)
Label:	Island
Producer:	Bernard Edwards
Prev Title:	Addicted to Love
Prev Year:	1986
Next Title:	I Didn't Mean to Turn You On
Next Year:	1986

"Hyperactive" is a song by the English singer Robert Palmer, which was released in 1986 as the fourth single from his eighth studio album Riptide (1985).^[1] The song was written by Dennis Nelson, Tony Haynes and Palmer, and produced by Bernard Edwards.^[2] Released as the follow-up to his US chart topper "Addicted to Love", "Hyperactive" reached No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the first time Palmer had scored two consecutive top 40 US hits from an album. It remained on the charts for twelve weeks.^[3]

Release

"Hyperactive" was released by Island Records on 7" vinyl in the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. A 12" vinyl version was released in Europe, with a promotional-only version also issued in the US.^[4] For its release as a single, "Hyperactive" was edited to reduce its duration.^[5] The B-side, "Woke Up Laughing", had originally appeared on Palmer's sixth studio album Clues (1980).^[6]

Critical reception

Upon release, Cash Box commented: "An aggressive, tough-edged rhythm track [which] should capitalize on Palmer's newfound star status. Danceable and featuring his characteristic soulish vocal, "Hyperactive" has tons of radio appeal."^[7] In a retrospective review of Riptide, Tim DiGravina of AllMusic noted how the album was made up of "mostly rocking songs", with "Hyperactive" "add[ing] a bit of a pop veneer to the formula, with its bright keyboards dating the song to the Miami Vice era; that's not to say it doesn't hold nostalgic charm."^[8]

Track listing

7" single

1. "Hyperactive (Edit)" – 3:35
2. "Woke Up Laughing" – 3:36

7" single (US promo)

1. "Hyperactive (Edit)" – 3:35
2. "Hyperactive (Edit)" – 3:35

12" single (European release)

1. "Hyperactive" – 5:05
2. "Hyperactive (Edit)" – 3:35
3. "Woke Up Laughing" – 3:36

12" single (US promo)

1. "Hyperactive (Vocal LP Version)" – 5:08
2. "Hyperactive (Vocal LP Version)" – 5:08

Personnel

• Robert Palmer – vocals
• Bernard Edwards – producer, bass
• Eddie Martinez – guitar
• Tony Thompson – drums
• Jason Corsaro – engineer
• Eric Thorngren – mixing
• Jack Skinner – mastering

Chart performance

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[9]	72
US Billboard Hot 100	33
US Billboard Top Rock Tracks^[10]	21

Notes and References

1. Web site: Robert Palmer - Riptide at Discogs . Discogs.com . 2018-03-23.
2. Web site: Robert Palmer - Hyperactive / Woke Up Laughing - Island - USA - 7-99545 . 45cat . 2017-12-17 . 2018-03-23.
3. Web site: Billboard . Robert Palmer Hyperactive Chart History . Billboard . 2018-03-23.
4. Web site: Robert Palmer - Hyperactive at Discogs . Discogs.com . 2018-03-23.
5. Web site: Robert Palmer - Hyperactive (Vinyl) at Discogs . Discogs.com . 2018-03-23.
6. Web site: Donald A. Guarisco . Clues - Robert Palmer | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic . 2018-03-23.
7. Cash Box newspaper - May 31, 1986 - Single releases - page 9
8. Web site: Tim DiGravina . Riptide - Robert Palmer | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic . 2018-03-23.
9. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W . 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 228, 236.
10. Web site: Billboard . Robert Palmer Hyperactive Chart History . Billboard . 2018-03-23.