Jennifer Rush w/ Elton John "Flames of Paradise"

With a music video that took its cue from A-Ha's "Take on Me", Jennifer Rush's uptempo "Flames of Paradise" featured Elton John in both real and animated form. You can close your eyes and picture the tune used at the end of an Eddie Murphy film. Critics predicted the duet would hit #1, but instead it flamed out. Rush's duet peaked at #36 on the Top 40 Chart in the US (#32 on the Adult Contemporary Chart).

Sade "No Ordinary Love"

Now, when I have problems with my
relationships, which is most of the time,
I find out that it's better to take the
focus off myself and put it to others.
I don't wanna be around no kids.
I wanna go home and sit in my house
and look at the wall and listen to Sade.
- And that's fun?
- No, but that's where my head is at.
That's where I need to be. I don't wanna
paint. You can't paint my misery away.

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=boomerang

"Now when I have problems with my relationships, which is most of the time, I find that it's better to take focus off myself and put it to others."

"I don't wanna be around no kids. I wanna go home and sit in my house and look at the wall and listen to Sade."

"And that's fun?"

"No, but that's where my head is at. That's where I need to be." 

                                               -Halle Berry & Eddie Murphy in the 1992 movie Boomerang 

Spice Girls "Goodbye"

This past week, we learned former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, "Mel B", checked herself into rehab --not for drugs, alcohol or sex addiction as was widely reported, but for PTSD from her past marriage to Stephen Belafonte. Mel B's ex-boyfriend, Eddie Murphy, also announced he'll be a dad for the 10th time (as in nine plus one!). Mel B. is the mother to Eddie's eighth child, Angel Iris.

Eddie Murphy "Party All The Time"

Remember the time Eddie Murphy had one of the biggest songs on the radio? It actually happened in 1985 when "Party All The Time" spent three weeks at #2 on the Hot 100. The song featured Rick "Superfreak" James on backing vocals. My mom and our neighbor Judy spent a good portion of the summer of 1985 singing along to the song, but they changed the lyrics to "My mom likes to party all the time..." 

Harold Faltermeyer "Axel F"

One of 1985's biggest hit songs contained no words. Used on the soundtrack to the movie Beverly Hills Cop, the catchy instrumental from Harold Faltermeyer went to #1 on three different US charts (including Adult Contemporary). The song's title comes from the name of the movie's main character, Axel Foley (played by Eddie Murphy).

Babyface "Whip Appeal"

Babyface met his future wife during auditions for the music video to his soulful "Whip Appeal". Tracey Edmonds wound up getting the chicken pox and couldn't take part in the video, but fate took over from there. Babyface later ran into her and the two eventually married in 1992. The couple later divorced in 2005 and, from there, Tracey entered into a "symbolic union" with Eddie Murphy in 2008, but split weeks later.

Toni Braxton - "Breathe Again"

Toni Braxton can thank Eddie Murphy's dramedy Boomerang for propelling her career -- but she can also thank Anita Baker for being pregnant.  Let's explain: in the '80s, Braxton originally performed with her sisters in a group named The Braxtons.  The five ladies didn't manage to breakthrough, but Toni's solo effort with "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" on the Boomerang Soundtrack happened by chance.  Anita Baker was supposed to sing the ballad, but she was pregnant at the time and recommended Braxton sing the tune.  The result was Braxton's first solo hit and a record deal with Babyface's LaFace Records.  A year later, Toni released her first solo album with "Breathe Again" achieving Top 5 status on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

Eddie Murphy - "Party All The Time"

If it wasn't for that blasted Lionel Richie, Eddie Murphy would have had a #1 hit.  Back in 1985, "Party All The Time" climbed to #2, but couldn't overcome the juggernaut that was "Say You, Say Me" by Lionel Richie.  My mom and her neighbor Judy were twenty-somethings during that summer and "Party All The Time" was their jam.  Judy's son, however, changed the lyrics to "My mom likes to party all the time."

PM Dawn - "I'd Die Without You"

Right toward the end of Eddie Murphy's relevance as a bona fide movie star, he decided to tackle a more serious role in the movie Boomerang.  The movie was a huge success--helping launch Halle Berry's acting career as well as Toni Braxton's singing career thanks to a soundtrack loaded with radio-ready hits.  Braxton wasn't the only one to benefit from the soundtrack.  PM Dawn struck gold with the ballad "I'd Die Without You".  Its reign on the 1992 Hot 100 lasted 16 weeks.  You couldn't hide from this song on Chicago's B-96 during the summer of 1992, and with good reason.