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Heartbeat (Wendy Waldman song)

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1982 single by Wendy Waldman
"Heartbeat"
Single by Wendy Waldman
from the album Which Way to Main Street
Released1982
GenreRock
Length3:30
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Eddie Kramer
Wendy Waldman singles chronology
"Does Anybody Want to Marry Me"
(1982)
"Heartbeat"
(1982)
"Living in Hard Times"
(1987)

"Heartbeat" is a 1982 song written by Eric Kaz and Wendy Waldman. It was first recorded by Waldman and released on her 1982 album Which Way to Main Street. That same year, Australian-American singer Helen Reddy recorded the song for her 1983 album Imagination, the song failed to chart.

The most famous rendition of the song is a 1986 cover of the song by Don Johnson, which was released as a single and included on Johnson's album Heartbeat. Johnson's cover became an international hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and charting highly in many European countries. The song's popularity led to Johnson being named "the best new vocalist of 1986" in a Rolling Stone readers poll, and he released a music video interpreting the song, filmed with actress Lori Singer.

Helen Reddy version

"Heartbeat"
Song by Helen Reddy
from the album Imagination
ReleasedFebruary 1983
Recorded1982
StudioHollywood Sound Recorders Inc., Hollywood, California
GenrePop rock
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)Eric Kaz, Wendy Waldman
Producer(s)Joe Wissert

In 1982, Australian-American singer Helen Reddy, who also has performed other songs from Kaz and Waldman covered the song for her 1983 studio album Imagination. It was recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders Inc. in Hollywood, California, and was produced by Joe Wissert. This was also one of her final songs on MCA Records Despite Imagination and 1981's Play Me Out failed to chart.

Personnel

  • David L. Kemper - drums
  • Neil Stubenhas - bass
  • Robbie Buchanan - acoustic piano
  • Martin Welsh - guitar

Don Johnson version

"Heartbeat"
Single by Don Johnson
from the album Heartbeat
B-side"Can't Take Your Memory"
ReleasedAugust 19, 1986
Recorded1985
GenrePop rock
Length4:18
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
  • Eric Kaz
  • Wendy Waldman
Producer(s)Chas Sandford
Don Johnson singles chronology
"Heartbeat"
(1986)
"Heartache Away"
(1986)
Music video
"Heartbeat" on YouTube

In 1986, American actor and singer Don Johnson recorded the song and included it on his debut album of the same name, releasing it as his debut single. It is the most successful version of the song, as well as becoming an international hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and charting highly in many European countries. A music video was released featuring actress Lori Singer interpreting the song. This song was featured in the game "Grand Theft Auto V" on the "Los Santos Rock Radio" station.

Track listings

7" single

  1. "Heartbeat" - 4:18
  2. "Can't Take Your Memory" - 4:30

12" single

  1. "Heartbeat" - 4:18
  2. "Can't Take Your Memory" - 4:30
  3. "Coco Don't" - 3:33

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Heartbeat"
Chart (1986–1987) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 26
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 5
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 10
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) 46
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 4
Ireland (IRMA) 21
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100) 10
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 13
Norway (VG-lista) 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 16
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 6
UK Singles (OCC) 46
US Billboard Hot 100 5
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) 26
US Top 100 Singles (Cash Box) 4
West Germany (GfK) 6

Year-end charts

1986 year-end chart performance for "Heartbeat"
Chart (1986) Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 34
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 80
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 33
Netherlands (Single Top 100) 40
US Top 100 Singles (Cash Box) 53
1987 year-end chart performance for "Heartbeat"
Chart (1987) Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 16
West Germany (Official German Charts) 39

References

  1. "Wendy Waldman - Heartbeat".
  2. Gendel, Morgan (January 16, 1987). "Johnson's 'Heartbeat' Video Stirs HBO Pulse". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 159. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. "Don Johnson – Heartbeat" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  5. "Don Johnson – Heartbeat" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  6. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0743." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  7. "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 43. November 1, 1986. p. 20. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  8. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  9. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don Johnson". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Don Johnson" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  11. "Don Johnson – Heartbeat" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  12. "Don Johnson – Heartbeat". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  13. "Don Johnson – Heartbeat". VG-lista. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  14. "Don Johnson – Heartbeat". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  15. "Don Johnson – Heartbeat". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  16. "Don Johnson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  17. ^ "Don Johnson | Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  18. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending October 25, 1986". Cash Box. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  19. "Offiziellecharts.de – Don Johnson – Heartbeat" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  20. "Jaaroverzichten 1986 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  21. "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 14. December 27, 1986. p. 5. ISSN 0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  22. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  23. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  24. "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1986 – Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 27, 1986. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  25. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1987". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  26. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1987" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved December 19, 2021.

External links

Don Johnson
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Singles
Family
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