Girls Next Door
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Founder | Tommy West (producer) |
| Headquarters | Nashville , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Doris King Merritt, Cindy Nixon Psanos, Diane Williams Austin, Tammy Stephens Smith, Tommy West (producer) |
| Products | Country music albums and singles |
| Parent | MTM Records (until 1988), Atlantic Records (from 1989) |
Girls Next Door is a female American country music ensemble that originated in Nashville, Tennessee in 1982. The group features members Doris King Merritt, Cindy Nixon Psanos, Diane Williams Austin, and Tammy Stephens Smith. Their recording career spanned from 1982 until 1991, during which they produced two albums under MTM Records and one with Atlantic Records. Following their disbandment in 1991, the quartet reunited briefly in 2011 and once more in 2023.
History
The formation of Girls Next Door took place in 1982 under the guidance of record producer Tommy West, recognized for his collaborations with Jim Croce. West, acquainted with session singer Doris King, suggested creating a country vocal group composed exclusively of women—a concept uncommon at that time.[1] The other members chosen were Cindy Nixon, Diane Williams, and Tammy Stephens.[1] The four artists connected through their work at Opryland USA, a Nashville-based theme park that employed numerous musicians.[2] Initially intending to call themselves Belle and Wildflower, they ultimately adopted the name "Girls Next Door" following West’s recommendation inspired by a song he composed.[3]
The group rehearsed in Williams's basement and recorded several tracks with West before performing locally. In 1984, they secured a contract with MTM Records, a subsidiary of actress Mary Tyler Moore's MTM Enterprises.[3] Their self-titled debut album The Girls Next Door, produced by West, produced four singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Among these, "Love Will Get You Through Times of No Money" peaked at number fourteen, while their highest-charting single was "Slow Boat to China", reaching number eight. Additional singles included "Baby I Want It" and "Walk Me in the Rain".[4] Their follow-up album What a Girl Next Door Could Do also featured charting singles but did not achieve comparable success. A seventh single for MTM, titled "Love and Other Fairy Tales," was released without an accompanying album due to MTM's shutdown.[4]
In 1989, Girls Next Door transitioned to Atlantic Records and released their third album How 'Bout Us, with production by Nelson Larkin.[1] The singles "He's Gotta Have Me" and "How 'Bout Us", a rendition of Champaign's 1981 hit, did not break into the top 40.[4] The group ceased activities in 1991 after a final appearance on Nashville Now, citing family commitments as their reason.[2]
The original members reunited for a concert event in 2011.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name They came together again in 2023 to release the album Now or Never, which was financed through Kickstarter.[2] This release includes the single "What's This Thing You've Got About Leaving," which also debuted that year.[1]
Albums
| Year | Album | US Country | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Girls Next Door | 30 | MTM |
| 1987 | What a Girl Next Door Could Do | 42 | |
| 1990 | How 'Bout Us | 69 | Atlantic |
| 2023 | Now or Never | — | Self-released |
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak positions |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | |||
| 1986 | "Love Will Get You Through Times of No Money" | 14 | The Girls Next Door |
| "Slow Boat to China" | 8 | ||
| "Baby I Want It" | 26 | ||
| 1987 | "Walk Me in the Rain" | 28 | |
| "What a Girl Next Door Could Do" | 43 | What a Girl Next Door Could Do | |
| "Easy to Find" | 57 | ||
| 1988 | "Love and Other Fairy Tales" | 73 | — |
| 1989 | "He's Gotta Have Me" | 54 | How 'Bout Us |
| 1990 | "Maybe You Wouldn't Be Missin' Me Tonight" | — | |
| "How 'Bout Us" | 71 | ||
| 2023 | "What's This Thing You've Got About Leaving" | — | Now or Never |
| "—" indicates singles that did not enter the charts | |||
Music videos
| Year | Single | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "Slow Boat to China" | |
| "Baby I Want It" | Coke Sams |
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