Al Corley - "Square Rooms" (1984)

I first heard this song in Paris, France in September 1985. I was so confused I thought he was singing in French. The singer was an actor in the popular prime-time series DYNASTY. The song was not very well-known in the USA but it was a popular Euro-pop tune in the mid-1980s.


"Square Rooms" is a Europop song recorded by American singer, actor and producer Al Corley. It was the first single from his album of the same name. First released in 1984, the song was a hit in some European countries and had a moderate success in the United States in 1985.


After two seasons playing one of the first gay leading characters an American TV series, Dynasty, Al Corley left the nighttime soap opera to become a singer. With Harold Faltermeyer and Peter John Woods, he composed the text of his first song, "Square Rooms."


The media-savvy singer affected the brooding look and attitude popular among pop stars and GQ models at the time: pouty, dark glances and tousled hair. His choice of image worked best in France, where his television performances elicited the unbridled enthusiasm of teenage girls. However, according to Elia Habib, a French charts specialist, his success was not only based on his physical appearance. Indeed, "Square Rooms"' music had a large popular appeal and had a production designed for the dance floor.


"Square Rooms" was released first in Switzerland, where it was a hit, peaking at number six on October 21, 1984, and staying in the top 30 for ten weeks. The single debuted at number 47 in the French Singles Chart on January 5, 1985. It climbed quickly and was number one for five nonconsecutive weeks, from March 9 to April 13, 1985. After its peak, it lingered on the charts until its 27th week, on July 20, 1985. The song also achieved success in Italy (number 12), Germany (number 13) and Austria where it reached number 15 in April 1985.


"Square Rooms" was released last in Corley's native U.S., where the single was only a minor pop hit, reaching number 80 on the Hot 100 on June 1, 1985. American dancefloors were more receptive than its airwaves; Corley reached number 26 on the Billboard Dance/Disco chart the week of June 22, 1985.