In 1986 Robert Palmer was coming off the mass success of The Power Station, his supergroup with Duran Duran's John & Andy Taylor, and Tony Thompson of Chic, when he released his iconic "Addicted To Love".
The song and the video that went with were a massive hit for Palmer on the Billboard Charts and MTV, hitting #1 on both platforms and cementing a dominating year for the singer. The song was supposed to be a duet between Palmer and Funk Diva Chaka Khan, but had to be recorded without her because her label would not give her a release to work with Palmer on his label, Island Records. His Power Station bandmates Andy Taylor & Tony Thompson would play on the song, but most of the guitar parts, and the solo, were played by Eddie Martinez.
The video for the song really made it the smash hit it became, becoming the most popular video on the channel as it featured four models acting as his backup band in the video, dressed identically to mimic the look on mannequins come to life. Palmer would reuse the gimmick on his other hit singles "I didn't Mean To Turn You On," a cover of R&B singer Cherelle's hit, and "Simply Irresistable" off Palmer's "Heavy Nova" release. The video was even mimicked in the hit holliday film "Love Actually," and countless other music videos throughout the years.
A rock legend with a legendary song Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love is the perfect template to 80's pop rock and MTV video success.