Two of Hearts (song)

"Two of Hearts" is a song recorded by American singer Stacey Q for her debut studio album Better Than Heaven (1986). Sue Gatlin co-wrote the song along with John Mitchell and Tim Greene. Although Gatlin did record her own version, Stacey Q released her version first and it would become her biggest hit.

"Two of Hearts"
Single by Stacey Q
from the album Better Than Heaven
B-side"Dancing Nowhere"
"Shy Girl"
ReleasedJune 13, 1986
Format
Recorded1985
StudioFormula 1 Studios
(La Habra, California)
GenreHi-NRG[1][2]
Length3:59
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • John Mitchell
  • Tim Greene
  • Sue Gatlin
Producer(s)Jon St. James
Stacey Q singles chronology
"Shy Girl"
(1985)		 "Two of Hearts"
(1986)		 "We Connect"
(1986)

Musically, "Two of Hearts" is a Hi-NRG song. It utilizes vocal sampling with the repetitive usage of the line "I need you" in its hook. The song's lyrics revolve around love and romance. "Two of Hearts" received positive reviews from music critics and was a commercial success around the globe. It entered the US Billboard Hot 100 in mid-July 1986,[3] breaking into the top 40 in mid-August[4] and peaking at number three during the autumn of that same year to become one of the highest-selling singles of 1986.[5] "Two of Hearts" was ranked number 27 on VH1's "100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '80s".

The accompanying music video for "Two of Hearts" was directed by Peter Lippman. It depicts Stacey Q dancing in front of a white background in various outfits and performing at a nightclub. "Two of Hearts" has been covered by a number of artists and has appeared in feature films such as Nowhere, Little Nicky, Party Monster and Hot Rod (where it was done to punchdance).

Background and recording

After the release of the album Playback (1983) with the band SSQ, Stacey Q began working with Jon St. James on her solo material. St. James brought her the song "Two of Hearts," suggesting that she record it. "Two of Hearts" was a tune St. James initially produced for Sue Gatlin, who co-wrote the song with John Mitchell and Tim Greene, recording her own version.[6] At first, Stacey Q refused to record a song written by someone else, but later she changed her mind and decided to record it.[7]

Stacey Q's first recording of the tune was released by On The Spot Records in 1985 and featured on her self-titled debut EP from the same year. Meanwhile, Gatlin had recorded her own version of the tune, although it would not be released until the following year. Stacey Q's version was later taken by Atlantic Records and re-recorded to be released as the lead single from Q's debut studio album Better Than Heaven (1986).

Cover versions

Track listing and formats

Credits and personnel
  • Stacey Q – vocals
  • John Mitchell – songwriter
  • Sue Gatlin – songwriter
  • Tim Greene – songwriter
  • Jon St. James – producer, keyboards
  • Rich West – keyboards
  • Skip Hahn – keyboards
  • Karl Moet – drums
  • Jeff C. Fishman – associate producer
  • William J. Walker – associate producer
  • Lester Cohen – photography

Charts

References
  1. Slant Staff (January 30, 2006). "100 Greatest Dance Songs". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  2. Maura (October 2, 2008). "Annie Plays Her Trump Card". Idolator. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  3. "Billboard". July 5, 1986.
  4. "Billboard". August 16, 1986.
  5. "Billboard". December 27, 1986.
  6. Sue Gatlin - "Two of Hearts" @YouTube.com Retrieved 10-8-2016.
  7. "Back to the 80s: Interview with Stacey Q", Kickin' it Old School, April 22, 2014.
  8. WONDER GIRLS AT NINE: THE UPS AND DOWNS OF K-POP’S ENDURING GIRL GROUP popcrush February 8, 2016
  9. Two of Hearts (US 7-inch Single liner notes). Stacey Q. On The Spot Records / NRS. 1986. NRS 110.CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. Two of Hearts (US 12-inch Single liner notes). Stacey Q. On The Spot Records / NRS. 1986. NRS 116.CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. Two of Hearts (US 7-inch Single liner notes). Stacey Q. Atlantic Records. 1986. 7-89381.CS1 maint: others (link)
  12. Two of Hearts (US 12-inch Single liner notes). Stacey Q. Atlantic Records. 1986. 0-86797.CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 290. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  14. "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 98 no. 50. December 13, 1986. p. Y-21. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 30, 2015 – via Google Books.
  15. "Austriancharts.at – Stacey Q. – Two of Hearts" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  16. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0862." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  17. "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4 no. 6. February 14, 1987. p. 15. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved March 2, 2020 – via American Radio History.
  18. "Lescharts.com – Stacey Q. – Two of Hearts" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  19. "Charts.nz – Stacey Q. – Two of Hearts". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  20. "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts Q". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  21. "Swedishcharts.com – Stacey Q. – Two of Hearts". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  22. "Swisscharts.com – Stacey Q. – Two of Hearts". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  23. "Stacey Q: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  24. "Stacey Q Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  25. "Stacey Q Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  26. "Stacey Q Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  27. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending October 25, 1986". Cash Box. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  28. "Offiziellecharts.de – Stacey Q – Two of Hearts". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  29. "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report (650). December 29, 1986. Retrieved December 10, 2019 – via Imgur.
  30. "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. Vol. 45 no. 14. December 27, 1986. p. 5. ISSN 0315-5994. Retrieved March 2, 2020 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  31. "Top Selling Singles of 1986". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  32. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  33. "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  34. "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1986 – Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 27, 1986. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  35. "National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Australian Music Report (701). December 28, 1987. Retrieved December 11, 2019 – via Imgur.
  36. "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1987". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
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