"Inside Story" is the eighth studio album by Jamaican singer and songwriter Grace Jones, released in November 1986. It marked her first album under the Manhattan Records label and was produced by Nile Rodgers of Chic. Following the success of her 1985 album Slave to the Rhythm and the best-selling compilation Island Life, Jones turned to a more commercially accessible sound with Inside Story, which blends pop, jazz, gospel, and Caribbean influences. This album also marked a significant shift as Jones began working as a co-producer, which led to frequent creative tensions with Rodgers. The album was recorded at Skyline Studios in New York City and post-produced at Atlantic Studios and Sterling Sound.
The album’s promotional campaign was one of the most extensive undertaken by Manhattan Records at the time, targeting the U.S. market where Jones had yet to become a mainstream pop star. The album performed moderately well, making the top 40 in several European countries, although it was her lowest-charting album in the UK, where it was still certified silver. Inside Story remains Jones’ last album to chart on the U.S. Billboard 200.
The lead single, "I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect for You)," became one of Jones' most successful singles, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving significant attention due to its music video. The second single, "Party Girl," had modest success, charting in Italy but failing to make an impact elsewhere. For the third single, the U.S. and Canadian markets received the R&B-flavored "Crush," while Europe got the jazz-influenced "Victor Should Have Been a Jazz Musician," though neither achieved significant chart success.
In her 2015 memoir, I'll Never Write My Memoirs, Jones reflected on the making of Inside Story, acknowledging the creative tension with Nile Rodgers but expressing satisfaction with the album’s final outcome. She described the album as capturing the energy and moment in time during its creation, noting that it remained one of her favorites to listen to.
A remastered edition of the album was released in 2004, though it did not include bonus tracks, unlike her Bulletproof Heart reissue.
