I Cross My Heart

Last updated
"I Cross My Heart"
GS - I cross my heart single.jpg
Single by George Strait
from the album Pure Country
B-side "You're Right, I'm Wrong"
ReleasedSeptember 28, 1992
RecordedApril 16, 1992
Genre Country
Length3:30
Label MCA Nashville 54478
Songwriter(s) Steve Dorff, Eric Kaz
Producer(s) Tony Brown
George Strait [1]
George Strait singles chronology
"So Much Like My Dad"
(1992)
"I Cross My Heart"
(1992)
"Heartland"
(1993)

"I Cross My Heart" is a song written by Steve Dorff and Eric Kaz, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in September 1992 as the first single to his album Pure Country , which is also the soundtrack to the movie of the same title. It reached number-one in both the United States and Canada. The song is featured as the movie's finale.

Contents

Background

"I Cross My Heart" was written by Steve Dorff and Eric Kaz in 1982. Doreff had recorded a demo-tape in a rhythm and blues-styling similar to vocal group Boyz II Men. Bette Midler originally recorded a piano-ballad version on the song in 1984 for inclusion in one of her films, but the song was removed from final production. George Strait recorded the song for the film Pure Country after hearing the song in a performance by Doreff, who pitched the song for the film's ending ballad. [2]

Music video

The music video was directed by Charley Randazzo and consists entirely of scenes from the film. Strait's next music video "Heartland" also exclusively used scenes from Pure Country. These two videos were released consecutively, as were the singles.

Critical reception

"I Cross My Heart" is widely regarded as one of Strait's best songs. Billboard and American Songwriter ranked the song number five and number four, respectively, on their lists of the 10 greatest George Strait songs. [3] [4]

Chart positions

"I Cross My Heart" debuted at number 58 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 3, 1992 and peaked at number one on December 5, 1992. Since it became available for digital download, the song has sold 992,000 digital copies in the United States as of January 2015. [5]

Chart (1992–1993)Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [6] 1
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [7] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1993)Position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [8] 81

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [9] 3× Platinum3,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Strait</span> American country music singer (born 1952)

George Harvey Strait Sr. is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Must Have Been Love</span> 1987 song by Roxette

"It Must Have Been Love", originally "It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken Hearted)", is a song written by Per Gessle and performed by the Swedish pop duo Roxette. The power ballad became the duo's third number one hit in the United States, and is one of their best selling releases, being certified gold or platinum in a number of countries. It remains their most well-known and signature song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where Do Broken Hearts Go</span> 1988 single by Whitney Houston

"Where Do Broken Hearts Go" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her second studio album, Whitney (1987). It was released as the fourth single from the album on February 15, 1988 to contemporary hit radio in the United States. The song was written by Frank Wildhorn and Chuck Jackson and produced by Narada Michael Walden. A pop ballad set in the key of D major, the record is about someone seeking for a former lover to return after a breakup. Upon its release, the song received mixed reviews from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Have Nothing</span> 1993 single by Whitney Houston

"I Have Nothing" is a song by American singer and actress Whitney Houston, released on February 20, 1993 as the third single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album (1992) by Arista Records. The song was written by David Foster and Linda Thompson, and produced by Foster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One More Try (George Michael song)</span> 1988 single by George Michael

"One More Try" is a song recorded by English singer and songwriter George Michael from his debut solo studio album, Faith (1987). It was released on 11 April 1988 as the album's fourth single by Columbia Records. The song hit number one on all of the US Billboard Hot 100, the Hot Black Singles and the Hot Adult Contemporary charts. Its music video was directed by Tony Scott and filmed in Australia.

"Wind Beneath My Wings" is a song written in 1982 by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Used to Be My Playground</span> 1992 single by Madonna

"This Used to Be My Playground" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna. It is the theme for the film A League of Their Own, which starred Madonna, and portrayed a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Madonna was asked to record a song for the film's soundtrack. At that time she was busy recording her fifth studio album, Erotica, with producer Shep Pettibone. They worked on some ideas and came up with "This Used to Be My Playground" in two days. Once presented to director Penny Marshall's team, the song was released as a standalone single on June 16, 1992, by Warner Bros. Records. However, it was not available on the film's soundtrack due to contractual obligations and was later added to the Olympics-inspired Barcelona Gold compilation album, released that summer. The song was included on Madonna's 1995 ballads compilation Something to Remember.

<i>Pure Country</i> (soundtrack) 1992 studio album / soundtrack album by George Strait

Pure Country is the thirteenth studio album by American country music singer George Strait. Released on September 15, 1992 by MCA Records, it serves as the soundtrack album to the 1992 Warner Bros. film of the same name. The film stars Strait as a fictitious country singer Dusty Chandler, and the album consists mostly of songs sung by Dusty in the film. The Pure Country soundtrack is Strait's first soundtrack album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hold on My Heart</span> 1992 single by Genesis

"Hold on My Heart" is a song by English rock band Genesis from their 14th studio album, We Can't Dance (1991). The ballad was released as the album's third single on 6 April 1992. The song reached number one on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, the RPM Adult Contemporary chart, and the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, as well as number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the band's home country, the song peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Does It Hurt So Bad</span> 1996 single by Whitney Houston

"Why Does It Hurt So Bad" is a song recorded by American singer and actress Whitney Houston for the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale. It was released on July 22, 1996, by Arista Records as the seventh and final single from the accompanying soundtrack. The song was written and produced solely by Babyface. Musically, it is an R&B ballad, and the lyrics chronicle a lovelorn lament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boot Scootin' Boogie</span> 1992 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Boot Scootin' Boogie" is a song first recorded by the band Asleep at the Wheel for their 1990 album, Keepin' Me Up Nights. American country music duo Brooks & Dunn recorded a cover version, which was included as the eighth track on their 1991 debut album, Brand New Man. It originally served as the B-side to their second single, "My Next Broken Heart". It became the duo's fourth single release and fourth consecutive number-one single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. A dance remix of the song features as the eleventh and final track on their 1993 album Hard Workin' Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartland (George Strait song)</span> 1993 single by George Strait

"Heartland" is a song written by Steve Dorff and John Bettis, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in January 1993 as the second single from his soundtrack album Pure Country. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

"You Can't Make a Heart Love Somebody" is a song written by Johnny MacRae and Steve Clark, and recorded by American country music singer George Strait. It was released in December 1994 as the second single from his album Lead On.

"Write This Down" is a song written by Dana Hunt Black and Kent Robbins and recorded by American country music singer George Strait. It was released in March 1999 as the second single from Strait's album Always Never the Same. It was Strait's 35th number one single on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It also reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of his most successful crossover singles to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meanwhile (George Strait song)</span> 1999 single by George Strait

"Meanwhile" is a song written by Wayland Holyfield and J. Fred Knobloch, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in January 1999 as the first single to his album Always Never the Same. It peaked at number 4 on the United States Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, while it was a number-one hit on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. It also peaked at number 38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, marking his first Top 40 hit on that chart.

"The Man in Love with You" is a song written by Steve Dorff and Gary Harju, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in June 1994 as the fourth and final single from his album Easy Come Easy Go. It peaked at number 4 in the United States, and number 2 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do I Have to Say the Words?</span> 1992 single by Bryan Adams

"Do I Have to Say the Words?" is a song by Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams from his sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours (1991). It was written and produced by Adams and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, with Jim Vallance serving as its co-writer. It was released in July 1992 as the sixth single from the album. "Do I Have to Say the Words?" is a mid-tempo pop rock ballad with guitar riffs and soft synths in its instrumentation, while Adams gives a dramatic vocal delivery.

Stephen Hartley Dorff is an American songwriter and composer whose work is mainly in the field of country music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Heart Will Never Know</span> 1995 single by Clay Walker

"My Heart Will Never Know" is a song written by Steve Dorff and Billy Kirsch, and recorded by American country music artist Clay Walker. It was released in May 1995 as the third and final single from his album If I Could Make a Living. It peaked at number 16 in the United States and number 6 in Canada.

<i>Pure Country</i> (film series) Film series

The Pure Country trilogy consists of American country-musical western dramas, including two theatrical movies, and a straight-to-home video sequel. The trilogy of standalone films includes the contrast the lifestyle of country music fame to working class lifestyle.

References

  1. Pure Country (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (CD booklet). George Strait. MCA Records Nashville. 1992. MCAD-10651.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. Paulson, Dave (October 22, 2019). "Story Behind the Song: George Strait's 'I Cross My Heart'". The Tennessean . Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  3. Dauphin, Chuck (June 27, 2017). "George Strait's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard . Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  4. Walthall, Catherine (December 28, 2021). "The Top 10 George Strait Songs". American Songwriter . Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  5. Bjorke, Matt (January 19, 2016). "The Top 30 Digital Singles: January 19, 2016". Roughstock.
  6. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1867." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. December 19, 1992. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  7. "George Strait Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  8. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1993". RPM . December 18, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  9. "American single certifications – George Strait – I Cross My Heart". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 5, 2024.