Back again with another Number One from 1986: Forty years ago this week, on May 3, 1986, “Addicted to Love” (video up top) by English singer and songwriter Robert Palmer went to Number One. The song, released in January 1986, was the third single from Palmer’s eighth studio album, Riptide.
I was familiar with Palmer before this song came out because of the song “Some Like it Hot” [WATCH/LISTEN], which was the debut (and probably the best known single) by the project Palmer was part of for a time, The Power Station. I’ve since acquired the song on compilation CDs, but I’m sure I once either had the 12-inch single or their debut album, The Power Station. I can’t be sure, since I have neither now, but I know I had something.
At any rate, I liked “Addicted To Love” well enough, but, um, that video? I didn’t get it. It was visually interesting and different, but the whole “models looking like bored mannequins faking playing instruments” was a bit creepy, and even in 1986 it felt kind of exploitive. It’s possible, though, that my less than positive reaction to this video is because he had the same basic thing going for three more songs, including the fifth single from Riptide, Palmer’s cover of "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On". On the other hand, having grown tired of the schtick, I was glad to see the turnabout treatment in the video for Shania Twain’s 1999 single, “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” [WATCH/LISTEN].
“Addicted To Love” reached Number 17 in Australia, 2 in Canada, 13 in New Zealand, 5 in the UK (Gold), and 8 on the USA’s “Billboard Hot 100” and on their “Top Rock Tracks” chart. It also hit Number One on the Cash Box “Top 100” chart. The song was certified Gold in the USA.
The album Riptide reached Number 11 in Canada (3x Platinum), Number 7 in New Zealand, Number 4 in the UK (Gold), and Number 3 on the USA’s “Billboard 200” (2x Platinum.
This series will return next weeks, on May 10, with the next new Number One from 1986, another one-week Number One hit, and it’s a song I still like as much as I did in 1986.
Previously in the “Weekend Diversion – 1986” series:
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 1 – January 18, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 2 – February 15, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 3 – March 1, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 4 – March 15, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 5 – March 22, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 6 – March 29, 2026
Weekend Diversion: 1986, Part 7 – April 19, 2026
