The Key (Joan Armatrading album)

The Key
Studio album by
Released28 February 1983
StudioTownhouse Studios, London, Polar Studios, Stockholm and New York
GenrePop, rock
Length38:38
LabelA&M
ProducerSteve Lillywhite, Val Garay
Joan Armatrading chronology
Walk Under Ladders
(1981)
The Key
(1983)
Track Record
(1983)

The Key is the eighth studio album by the British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading, released on 28 February 1983 by A&M Records (AMLX64912). The album was recorded at Townhouse Studios in Shepherd's Bush, London; Polar Studios in Stockholm and also in New York.

The album spawned the single "Drop the Pilot", which became one of Armatrading's biggest hits, reaching number 11 in the UK Singles Chart over a 10-week stay. It also quickly became a staple of Armatrading's live performances and has featured on many of her compilation albums. Armatrading and her backing band also performed the song on Top of the Pops in early 1983.