More than a decade after her passing, Donna Summer is back on the charts. The late pop and dance superstar earns a new bestselling album in the United Kingdom this week — not with brand new music shared posthumously, but thanks to a special re-release. Her classic Cats Without Claws project returns, finally reaching a handful of important rankings in that country, proving that listeners are still very much in love with Summer’s signature voice and style.
Cats Without Claws Returns to the U.K. Charts
Cats Without Claws makes its way onto two musical tallies in the U.K. The project enters the Official Physical Albums chart at No. 84, while also debuting at No. 87 on the Official Albums Sales list. While the full-length isn’t new, and it has previously appeared on charts in the European nation, this week is the first time the set has arrived on either of these two rosters.
A Milestone Win for Donna Summer
Throughout her career, and in the years since her death in 2012, Summer has continued to make occasional appearances on the charts in the U.K. With Cats Without Claws, she claims her eighth appearance on the Official Albums Sales ranking. When it comes to the Official Physical Albums tally, the set marks her milestone tenth entry.
Celebrating Cats Without Claws
A commemorative edition of Cats Without Claws was recently issued, timed to celebrate the album’s fortieth anniversary. It comes in a double CD format, as the original CD had apparently gone out of print some time ago. Beyond just a simple repackage, the collection also includes remixes and a special B-side, which should appeal to longtime lovers of all things connected to the singer.
Cats Without Claws Experienced Modest Original Run
Summer first released Cats Without Claws in September 1984. By that time, she had already established her position as a music legend, largely due to her string of disco smashes throughout the 1970s. However, her output in the 1980s didn’t always match the blockbuster success she had enjoyed earlier.
Cats Without Claws itself only peaked at No. 69 on the U.K. albums chart. In the U.S., it just barely cracked the top 40 on the Billboard 200.
The project featured a few singles, but none became major hits. “There Goes My Baby” and the simply-titled “Eyes” barely made a dent in the U.K., peaking at Nos. 99 and 97, respectively. Another track from the set, “Forgive Me,” helped Summer earn a Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance.