Me and My Foolish Heart

Last updated
"Me and My Foolish Heart"
Johnny Hates Jazz Me and My Foolish Heart 1986 single cover.jpg
Single by Johnny Hates Jazz
from the album Turn Back the Clock
Released1986
Length3:35
Label Rak
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Calvin Hayes
  • Mike Nocito
Johnny Hates Jazz singles chronology
"Me and My Foolish Heart"
(1986)		"Shattered Dreams"
(1987)

"Me and My Foolish Heart" is the debut single by English band Johnny Hates Jazz, released by Rak in 1986. It was written by Phil Thornalley (under the pseudonym L. Da Vinci), Calvin Hayes, Iain MacDonald and Mike Nocito, and was produced by Hayes and Nocito. The song was included on the band's 1988 debut album Turn Back the Clock as "Foolish Heart".

Contents

Writing and recording

Johnny Hates Jazz was formed in 1986 after Rak A&R man Calvin Hayes and engineer Mike Nocito began working on their own track which became "Me and My Foolish Heart". [1] The song originated with a track written and recorded by the producer and songwriter Iain MacDonald. Hayes, as Rak's A&R man, acquired a demo tape of the track, took a liking to it and then brought it to Nocito's attention. Nocito loved the intro but did not like the rest of the track. Believing it had hit potential with further work, Hayes contacted MacDonald, and he gave Hayes and Nocito permission to redevelop his intro into their own song. [2]

Hayes and Nocito developed and recorded the backing track at RAK Studios. [1] Hayes' piano playing was inspired by the "theatrical piano style" of Mike Garson. [2] Hayes recalled to the Los Angeles Times in 1988, "I wasn't really a high-ranking type. I just worked there a year [as an A&R man]. Mike was working in the studio as an engineer. We got together and made this instrumental track." [3] [1] As the backing track approached completion, Thornalley came to write the lyrics for the song after finishing his own production session in the adjacent studio. He popped in to see Hayes and Nocito while they were in the studio together and began recording adlibbed lyrics over their backing track in two takes. The title was inspired by Steve Perry's 1984 song "Foolish Heart". Rak's owner and Hayes' father Mickie Most happened to be producing his niece's cover version of the song at RAK Studios at that time and, while in the studio with Hayes and Nocito, Thornalley noticed the title on the box the recording tape was being stored in. [2] Hayes recalled to Will Harris in 2021, "I remember as Phil listened to the backing track, he was sort of pacing up and down, and I could tell his mind was ticking over, and he immediately said to Mike, 'Set up a mike, I've got some ideas.' It was two takes and two takes only. The fact that he was totally adlibbing the lyrics to the melody was incredible. That we should have this bit of music which he could just hear and suddenly come up with that? It was a very magical moment. I was incredibly impressed." Thornalley added, "I just wrote this song on the spot, over their changes. I was singing lyrics, just sort of free-forming it." [2]

Thornalley provided the song's original lead vocals but owing to upcoming production commitments to Robbie Nevil, he informed the pair that he was too busy to pursue further activities with them. [4] [5] The pair decided to approach Clark Datchler, who they had both previously worked with on separate occasions, and asked him to sing on the track. Datchler was a former member of the band Hot Club alongside Hayes, and he later worked with Nocito on some of his own recordings after signing to Rak as a solo artist. [3] Datchler recalled, "It was a weird one for me, because I usually only ever sing on and record my own songs. But 'Me and My Foolish Heart' had something about it that had a relationship to some things that I was working on, and I had been working with Mike, so I sang on the track, and Johnny Hates Jazz was born." [2]

Release

"Me and My Foolish Heart" was released as a single by Rak Records. [1] Hayes told the Los Angeles Times, "When we finished [the song] we went to the RAK people and, before they heard it, I said, 'I've found this group called Johnny Hates Jazz that made this single.' We weren't really even a group yet. They said they liked it. When I told them it was us who made the single they were surprised but they also wanted to put the record out." [3]

In early May, over a month after the single's release, the UK's chart compiler Gallup exposed Mickie Most's attempt to push the release into the charts. Gallup became suspicious after sales data showed that someone was purchasing a half-dozen copies of the single in one transaction from various music stores. A spokesperson for Gallup told the Daily Mirror , "We were very quickly able to track down who this man was. This was an attempt to push a record into the charts but there is no question that Mickie or anyone from the band knew what was going on. It was a simple case of one man's over-enthusiasm getting the better of him. I'm sure Mickie is most embarrassed about the whole business." [6]

The single failed to reach the top 100 of the UK Singles Chart, but it generated enough airplay on BBC Radio 1 and attention in the music press to encourage Datchler to start writing material for the band, and for them to seek a record deal with a major label. After a showcase gig at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho, the band signed to Virgin Records at the end of 1986 and scored an international hit with their next single "Shattered Dreams" in 1987. [7] [1] [2]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Jerry Smith of Music Week described "Me and My Foolish Heart" as a "polished pop tune" which "drives along, helped by a dynamic production and a strong vocal that is well underpinned by dramatic piano". He added that it "could well be an unexpected hit if given the necessary exposure". [8] Music & Media picked the song as one of their "records of the week" in their issue of 26 April 1986 and commented, "It is a highly polished and soaring melody in the Fiction Factory/OMD-trail that is sure to pick up good airplay." [9]

Dave Morgan of the Reading Evening Post described the song as "chugging synth stuff that never rises much above the standard required to appear on Wogan ". [10] John Lee of the Huddersfield Daily Examiner considered it to be "a bit wishy-washy, relying for its impact on a few echoey notes on the piano". He added, "Interesting enough I suppose, but not really the stuff to turn the hit parade on its predictable head." [11]

Track listing

7–inch single (UK and Benelux) [12] [13]

  1. "Me and My Foolish Heart" – 3:35
  2. "Living in the Past" – 3:36

12–inch single (UK and Benelux) [14] [15]

  1. "Me and My Foolish Heart" (12" mix) – 5:49
  2. "Living in the Past" – 3:36
  3. "Me and My Foolish Heart" (7" mix) – 3:35

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Turn Back the Clock vinyl LP liner notes and the UK 12-single vinyl single. [16] [14]

Johnny Hates Jazz

Production

Other

Charts

Chart (1986)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart [17] 112

Related Research Articles

Hepburn were a four-piece British all-female pop rock band. The band released an album and three singles between 1999 and 2000, but were best known for their first single "I Quit", which reached number 8 on the UK charts. Hepburn was best known to American audiences when they appeared on the soundtrack to the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The band was made up of Jamie Benson (vocals), Lisa Lister (guitar), Sarah Davies (bass), Beverley Fullen (drums), Lisa Gordon, and Tasha Baylis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Hates Jazz</span> British band

Johnny Hates Jazz are a British band, currently consisting of Clark Datchler and Mike Nocito. In April 1987, they achieved international success with their first hit single "Shattered Dreams."

Philip Thornalley is an English songwriter-producer who has worked in the music industry since 1978. He is perhaps best known for co-writing the song "Torn" and the UK number one hits "Mama Do" and "Boys and Girls" for Pixie Lott. He also produced The Cure's 1982 album Pornography and was later their bass player for eighteen months, producing and performing the distinctive double bass line on their 1983 single "The Love Cats". In 1988, Thornalley released his only solo album Swamp and briefly joined the band Johnny Hates Jazz. He then worked principally as a songwriter for hire for many acts including Bryan Adams. In 2017 he joined Adams' band as bass player for 18 months before releasing two solo albums of his own seventies inspired music under the moniker Astral Drive.

<i>Turn Back the Clock</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Johnny Hates Jazz

Turn Back the Clock is the debut studio album by English band Johnny Hates Jazz, released by Virgin Records on 11 January 1988 in United Kingdom and on 29 March 1988 in the United States. The album, whose most famous single was "Shattered Dreams", peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart and at number 56 on the US Billboard 200. Kim Wilde sings backing vocals on the title track, which reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number 10 in New Zealand. The track "Foolish Heart" was originally released as a single in 1986 as "Me and My Foolish Heart".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shattered Dreams</span> 1987 single by Johnny Hates Jazz

"Shattered Dreams" is a song by English musical group Johnny Hates Jazz from their debut studio album, Turn Back the Clock (1988). Written by the band's lead singer Clark Datchler, the song was released in March 1987 as the album's lead single. "Shattered Dreams" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 92 and gained popularity through extensive radio play and video rotation on MTV, eventually peaking at number five in May 1987 and spending three weeks at that position. It also reached the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, and West Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clark Datchler</span> Musical artist

Clark Wynford Datchler is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. He first rose to fame in 1987 as the lead singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in the band Johnny Hates Jazz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Target Practice (song)</span> 1984 single by Belouis Some

"Target Practice" is a song by British musician Belouis Some, which was released in 1984 as his first major label single after his 1981 debut "Lose It to You". The song was written by Some, and produced by Peter Schwier and Ian Little.

<i>The Very Best of Johnny Hates Jazz</i> 1993 greatest hits album by Johnny Hates Jazz

The Very Best of Johnny Hates Jazz is Johnny Hates Jazz’s first of two compilation albums. Released in May 1993, the majority of the album concentrates on songs from the band’s debut album, although the b-sides from several of the major singles on that album, the non-album single "Turn the Tide," and a few songs from the band’s lesser known second album Tall Stories, are included on the compilation as well.

<i>Tall Stories</i> (album) 1991 studio album by Johnny Hates Jazz

Tall Stories is the second studio album by Johnny Hates Jazz, released by Virgin in 1991. The follow-up to 1988's Turn Back the Clock, Tall Stories features producer and songwriter Phil Thornalley as lead singer, following the departure of the band's frontman Clark Datchler. On the eve of the album's release, Thornalley and keyboardist Calvin Hayes were involved in a serious car crash that depleted the band's momentum. The album failed to chart, and the band subsequently folded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn the Tide (Johnny Hates Jazz song)</span> 1989 single by Johnny Hates Jazz

"Turn the Tide" is a song by British pop band Johnny Hates Jazz, released by Virgin as a non-album single in 1989. The song was written by Phil Thornalley, Scott Cutler and Chris Murrell, and produced by Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito. It peaked at number 84 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for two weeks.

<i>Swamp</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Phil Thornalley

Swamp is the debut and only solo studio album from English songwriter-producer Phil Thornalley, released in 1988 by MCA.

"Irresistible" is a song written and recorded by British singer-songwriter Steve Harley. It was released three times as a single; the first being in 1985 as a non-album single under his band's name Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel In 1986, a remixed version of the song was released by Harley as a solo single in the UK, and in 1992, he re-released this version as a single in Europe from his solo album Yes You Can. "Irresistible" was written by Harley and produced by English producer Mickie Most.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbeat Like Thunder</span> 1986 single by Steve Harley

"Heartbeat Like Thunder" is a song by British singer-songwriter Steve Harley, released in 1986 by RAK as a non-album single. The song was written by Harley and ex-Cockney Rebel keyboardist Duncan Mackay, and produced by Mickie Most.

Magnetized is the third studio album by Johnny Hates Jazz released on May 24, 2013. This album was the band's first album in 22 years, after Tall Stories and the departure of members Calvin Hayes and Phil Thornalley, and the return of founding vocalist Clark Datchler. The album, was followed by the release of the same-titled lead single, along with a corresponding music video. The album peaked at #102 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Say It's Love</span> 1988 single by Johnny Hates Jazz

"Don't Say It's Love" is a song by British band Johnny Hates Jazz, released in 1988 as the sixth and final single from their debut studio album Turn Back the Clock. It was written by Clark Datchler and produced by Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito. "Don't Say It's Love" reached No. 48 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks. The song did not achieve commercial success in Europe, but reached No. 22 on the European Airplay Top 50 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbeat Like a Drum</span> 1986 song by A Flock of Seagulls

"Heartbeat Like a Drum" is a song by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released by Jive in 1986 as the second and final single from their fourth studio album Dream Come True. The song was written by Mike Score, Ali Score and Frank Maudsley, and produced by Mike Score and Wayne Brathwaite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somebody Special (Rod Stewart song)</span> 1980 song by Rod Stewart

"Somebody Special" is a song by British singer Rod Stewart, which was released in 1981 as the third single from his tenth studio album Foolish Behaviour (1980). The song was written by Stewart and Steve Harley (lyrics), and Phil Chen, Kevin Savigar, Jim Cregan and Gary Grainger (music). It was produced by Stewart, with co-production by the Rod Stewart Group and Jeremy Andrew Johns. "Somebody Special" reached number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shadows of Love (Wax song)</span> 1986 song by Wax (British band)

"Shadows of Love" is a song by new wave duo Wax, released by RCA in 1986 as the third single from their debut studio album Magnetic Heaven. The song was written by band members Andrew Gold and Graham Gouldman, and produced by Phil Thornalley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heart of Gold (Johnny Hates Jazz song)</span> 1987 song by Johnny Hates Jazz

"Heart of Gold" is a song by English band Johnny Hates Jazz, released by Virgin in 1988 as the fourth single from their debut studio album Turn Back the Clock (1987). The song was written by Clark Datchler and produced by Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito. It reached number 19 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for seven weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two Hearts (John Parr song)</span> 1986 song by John Parr

"Two Hearts" is a song by English singer and musician John Parr, released in 1986 as a single from the soundtrack of the 1986 American sports drama film American Anthem. The song, written and produced by Parr, was also included on Parr's second studio album Running the Endless Mile (1986).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 The Very Best of Johnny Hates Jazz (UK CD album liner notes). Johnny Hates Jazz. Virgin Records. 1993. VVIPD123.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Harris, Will (11 March 2021). "Johnny Hates Jazz, Turn Back the Clock — An Oral History (Part 1)". willharris.substack.com. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Hunt, Dennis (19 June 1988). "Johnny doesn't hate jazz" . Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles. pp. 88–89. Retrieved 9 November 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Kinghorn, Peter (3 October 1989). "Johnny go back in time" . Evening Chronicle . Newcastle upon Tyne. p. 25. Retrieved 10 November 2022– via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ↑ Mills, Chris (6 October 1989). "Chart toppers sign up local boy Phil" . Bury Free Press . Bury, Greater Manchester. p. 32. Retrieved 10 November 2022– via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ Blake, John (8 May 1986). "The boy Most likely" . Daily Mirror . London. p. 13. Retrieved 9 November 2022– via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ↑ Bartlett, Stefan (31 May 1987). "It's fame and all that jazz!" . Sunday Mercury . Birmingham. p. 30. Retrieved 9 November 2022– via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ↑ Smith, Jerry (19 April 1986). "A&R: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 17. ISSN   0265-1548 . Retrieved 9 November 2022– via World Radio History.
  9. ↑ "M&M Euro Tip Page" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 3, no. 16. 26 April 1986. p. 13. Retrieved 9 November 2022– via World Radio History.
  10. ↑ Morgan, Dave (24 May 1986). "Singles" . Reading Evening Post . Reading, Berkshire. p. 35. Retrieved 9 November 2022– via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ↑ Lee, John (12 April 1986). "Reviews: Singles" . Huddersfield Daily Examiner . Huddersfield. p. 14. Retrieved 9 November 2022– via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ↑ Me and My Foolish Heart (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Johnny Hates Jazz. Rak Records. 1986. RAK 388.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ Me and My Foolish Heart (Benelux 7-inch single sleeve). Johnny Hates Jazz. Rak Records. 1986. 1A 006-20 1215 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. 1 2 Me and My Foolish Heart (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Johnny Hates Jazz. Rak Records. 1986. 12 RAK 388.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ Me and My Foolish Heart (Benelux 12-inch single sleeve). Johnny Hates Jazz. Rak Records. 1986. 1A K060-20 1216 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Turn Back the Clock (UK vinyl LP sleeve notes). Johnny Hates Jazz. Virgin Records. 1988. V 2475.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ "Gallup Top 200 Singles". Gallup. 3 May 1986. Retrieved 11 November 2022– via ukmix.org.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.