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"Heartbeat" is a song written by Colin Newman and originally recorded and released in 1978 by the English rock band Wire on their second album Chairs Missing. Guest Kate Lukas played flute on the track.

The song was not uncommon as either an opener or a closer of Wire's live sets at the time. Producer Mike Thorne has called it the band's "first overt love song".

Big Black version

"Heartbeat" was covered and released as a single in 1987 by Chicago post-hardcore band Big Black. Apart from the Wire cover, the other two tracks on the record are originals. This 7" record was sold together with the Headache EP or used for promotional give-aways. The three tracks were eventually reissued on The Rich Man's Eight Track Tape compilation.

Track listing

1. "Heartbeat" - 3:48
2. "Things to Do Today" - 1:44
3. "I Can't Believe" - 1:04

References

1. ^ The Making of Wire's Chairs Missing - Mike Thorne, June 2000, revised November 2008

v t e Big Black
Steve Albini Jeff Pezzati Santiago Durango Dave Riley
Studio albums	Atomizer Songs About Fucking
Live albums	Sound of Impact Pigpile
Compilation albums	The Hammer Party The Rich Man's Eight Track Tape
EPs	Lungs Bulldozer Racer-X Headache
Singles	"He's a Whore" / "The Model"
Related articles	Naked Raygun Rapeman Shellac
Category

• Wire (band) songs
• 1978 songs
• Big Black songs
• 1987 singles