Queen of Hearts (Hank DeVito song)

Last updated
"Queen of Hearts"
Dave Edmuns - Queen of Hearts.jpg
Single by Dave Edmunds
from the album Repeat When Necessary
B-side "The Creature from the Black Lagoon"
ReleasedSeptember 16, 1979
Recorded1979
Genre
Length3:17
Label Swan Song
Songwriter(s) Hank DeVito
Producer(s) Dave Edmunds
Dave Edmunds singles chronology
"Girls Talk"
(1979)
"Queen of Hearts"
(1979)
"Crawling from the Wreckage"
(1979)
Official audio
"Queen of Hearts" on YouTube

Queen of Hearts is a country-pop song written by Hank DeVito, the pedal steel guitarist in Emmylou Harris's backing group The Hot Band. It was first recorded by Dave Edmunds on his 1979 album Repeat When Necessary . Edmunds' version was released as a single and reached number 11 in the UK and number 12 in Ireland that year, but failed to chart substantially elsewhere in the world. The most successful version of the song was recorded by Juice Newton in 1981 – her version reached number two in the United States and South Africa. Newton's version also reached the top 10 in Canada, Australia, Denmark, Switzerland and New Zealand.

Contents

Dave Edmunds version

British new wave and neo-rockabilly artist Dave Edmunds released the first recording of "Queen of Hearts" for his 1979 album Repeat When Necessary . The song came out as a single in the UK and was a hit there, reaching number 11. Edmunds wanted to have the single released in the US, but his label never released it: "I was just waiting for Swan Song, in their wisdom, to put it out in America, which they didn't do. ... Eventually, Juice Newton did it with an almost identical version and had a huge hit with it." [1]

Following the Newton version, Edmunds felt uncomfortable performing the song live, as it was now associated primarily with Newton. He commented, "What bugged me is that I can't do it live now. 'Because to people it looks like, 'What's he doing a Juice Newton song for?' you know, but it's my song. Maybe now I could, but at the time, when it was a hit, I felt you would feel kinda weird about doing it, 'cuz there's no reason US audiences would know anything about my version of the song". [1] In 1986, a live version by Dave Edmunds appeared on his album I Hear You Rockin' .

Edmunds' version has seen a positive reception from critics. AllMusic named it one of the four "classics" on Repeat When Necessary, [2] while Ultimate Classic Rock named it a "highlight" of the album. [3] Trouser Press similarly named it a "standout". [4]

Chart history

Chart (1979–80)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [5] 59
Ireland (IRMA) [6] 12
UK Singles Chart [7] 11

Juice Newton version

"Queen of Hearts"
Juice Newton - Queen of Hearts (single).jpg
Single by Juice Newton
from the album Juice
B-side "River of Love"
ReleasedJune 8, 1981
Recorded1981
Genre Country pop [8]
Length3:26
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s) Hank DeVito
Producer(s) Richard Landis
Juice Newton singles chronology
"Angel of the Morning"
(1981)
"Queen of Hearts"
(1981)
"The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)"
(1982)
Alternative cover
Queen of Hearts - Juice Newton (1981 - Netherlands release).jpg
Artwork of the Netherlands 7" release of "Queen of Hearts"

Following an appearance on the 1980 Rodney Crowell album But What Will the Neighbors Think , on which composer DeVito played guitar, "Queen of Hearts" had its highest-profile rendition in a version by country-rock singer Juice Newton from the 1981 album Juice . Newton would later recall: "I did ['Queen of Hearts'] live for about a year...Then I brought it to [producer] Richard Landis when we started the Juice album. He wasn't convinced at that point that it was a breakout song but I told him I think this is a real cool song … so we cut it". [9] Newton's own favorite cut on the Juice album, [10] "Queen of Hearts" was issued as the album's second single and would reach number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in September 1981, behind "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. While still at number two, "Queen of Hearts" was certified Gold for domestic sales of one million units.

"Queen of Hearts" also gave Newton her second huge international hit, with top 10 chart positions in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Switzerland, and more moderate success in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. Her recording of the song earned Newton a 1982 Grammy nomination for Best Female Vocalist, Country and Western category, "Queen of Hearts" having been a number 14 country hit. [11] In June 2014, Newton's version of the song was ranked number 92 by Rolling Stone on its list of the 100 greatest country songs of all time. [12]

Newton re-recorded "Queen of Hearts" for her 1998 album The Trouble With Angels.

Juice Newton's first version of the song is featured in Oliver Stone's 1986 film Salvador and the 1997 film Boogie Nights . It also appears as source music in the first episode of The Americans , a 2013 television series set during the first Reagan administration. The song is also featured in the 1998 King of the Hill episode "Hank's Dirty Laundry", the 2017 South Park episode "Splatty Tomato", the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas , and the fourth episode of HBO's Love & Death (miniseries).

Chart history

Weekly charts

Chart (1981)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [13] 8
Austria [14] 13
Belgium [15] 18
Canadian RPM Top Singles8
Canadian RPM Country Tracks6
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks3
Denmark [15] 6
Germany [16] 39
New Zealand (RIANZ) [15] 7
Netherlands [15] 27
South Africa (Springbok) [17] 2
Switzerland [18] 6
US Billboard Hot 100 [19] 2
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [20] 14
US Billboard Adult Contemporary [19] 2
US Cash Box Top 100 [21] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (1981)Rank
Australia (Kent Music Report) [22] 63
Canada RPM Top Singles [23] 52
US Billboard Hot 100 [24] 14
US Cash Box Top 100 [25] 7

Covers

In 1982, Austrian artist Nickerbocker (de) released the German rendering "Puppe (du bist a moderne Hex')" ("Doll (You're a Modern Witch)") which reached number three in Austria. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juice Newton</span> American pop and country singer (born 1952)

Juice Newton is an American pop and country singer, songwriter, and musician. Newton has received five Grammy Award nominations in the Pop and Country Best Female Vocalist categories – winning once in 1983 – as well as an ACM Award for Top New Female Artist and two consecutive Billboard Female Album Artist of the Year awards. Newton's other awards include a People's Choice Award for "Best Female Vocalist" and the Australian Music Media's "Number One International Country Artist".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel of the Morning</span> 1967 song by Chip Taylor

"Angel of the Morning" is a popular song written by Chip Taylor, originally recorded by Evie Sands but which first charted with a version by Merrilee Rush. The song has been covered by many artists including Chrissie Hynde, Dusty Springfield, P. P. Arnold, Connie Eaton, Mary Mason, Guys 'n' Dolls, Melba Montgomery, Olivia Newton-John and most recognizably by Juice Newton.

<i>Repeat When Necessary</i> 1979 studio album by Dave Edmunds

Repeat When Necessary is the fifth album by Welsh rock musician Dave Edmunds. Produced by Edmunds, it was released in 1979 by Swan Song Records. It was recorded and released at the same time as Nick Lowe's Labour of Lust, and features the same lineup of musicians: Edmunds, Lowe, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's a Heartache</span>

"'It's a Heartache'" is a song recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. Written by Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe, and co-produced with David Mackay, the single was released in November 1977 through RCA Records. The song topped the charts in Australia, Canada, and numerous European countries, and reached No. 3 in the US and No. 4 in the UK. Worldwide, "It's a Heartache" sold around six million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love's Been a Little Bit Hard on Me</span> 1982 single by Juice Newton

"Love's Been a Little Bit Hard on Me" is a song written by Gary Burr and recorded by the American country-pop singer Juice Newton for her seventh studio album Quiet Lies (1982). The recording garnered Newton a Grammy nomination for Best Female Vocalist in the Pop category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)</span> 1981 single by Juice Newton

"The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)" is a country-pop song written by Otha Young for Juice Newton in the mid-1970s. Newton was known for charting hits on the Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Hot Country charts - and this song has the distinction of being the only single of hers to reach the top 10 on all three of those charts, peaking at #1 on two of them.

<i>Juice</i> (Juice Newton album) 1981 studio album by Juice Newton

Juice is the sixth studio album and third solo album by American country rock singer Juice Newton. The album was released in February 1981 and was her first major international success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break It to Me Gently</span>

"Break It to Me Gently" is a pop song written by blues musician Joe Seneca with lyrics by Diane Lampert. Both Brenda Lee and Juice Newton were met with considerable success with their versions of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Husbands and Wives (song)</span>

"Husbands and Wives" is a song written and first recorded by American country music singer Roger Miller. Miller's original, from his album Words and Music, was released in February 1966 and was a crossover hit for him, reaching Top Ten on the U.S. country and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as Top 40 on the pop charts. Since the release of Miller's original, the song has been covered by several other artists, including The Everly Brothers, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, a duet between David Frizzell and Shelly West, Jules Shear, and Brooks & Dunn, whose version was a number-one country hit in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friends and Lovers (Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson song)</span> 1986 single by Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson

"Friends and Lovers" is a song written by Jay Gruska and Paul Gordon. The song was first recorded as a duet by Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson in 1985 for the soap opera Days of Our Lives, produced by Doug Lenier. That recording remained unreleased until the summer of 1986, when it was released shortly after a version by Juice Newton and Eddie Rabbitt hit country radio. The country version featured the altered title of "Both to Each Other ".

"The Race Is On" is a song written by Don Rollins and made a hit on the country music charts by George Jones and on the pop and easy listening charts by the unrelated Jack Jones. George's version was the first single released from his 1965 album of the same name. Released as a single in September 1964, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1965. Jack's version topped Billboard's Easy Listening chart and reached number 15 on the Hot 100 the same year. The two recordings combined to reach number 12 on the Cashbox charts, which combined all covers of the same song in one listing and thus gave George Jones his only top-40 hit. The song uses thoroughbred horse racing as the metaphor for the singer's romantic relationships.

<i>But What Will the Neighbors Think</i> 1980 studio album by Rodney Crowell

But What Will the Neighbors Think is a studio album by American country music artist Rodney Crowell. It was released in 1980 by Warner Bros. Records. It reached #64 on the Top Country Albums chart and #155 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The songs, "Ashes by Now", "Ain't No Money" and "Here Come the 80's" were released as singles. "Ashes by Now" only reached #78 on the country charts and #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 while the other two singles failed to chart. This album has more of a rock & roll influence than Crowell's debut, Ain't Living Long Like This. The album was rereleased on compact disc in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurt (Roy Hamilton song)</span> 1954 song

"Hurt" is a 1954 song by Jimmie Crane and Al Jacobs. "Hurt" was originally performed by Roy Hamilton, whose version peaked at number eight on the R&B Best Seller chart and spent a total of seven weeks on the chart. A version by Ricky Denell also received considerable radio airplay in 1954 on pop radio stations. The song is considered to be the signature hit of Timi Yuro, whose version went to number four on the Billboard pop chart in 1961. Elvis Presley’s 1976 version reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. Juice Newton's 1985 version scored number one on Billboard's Country chart.

"What Can I Do with My Heart " is a song recorded by American country music artist Juice Newton. It was released in December 1986 as the fifth single from the original version of the Old Flame album. In 1987, the song reached #9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Notably, the song was written by Newton's long-time musical partner Otha Young, who also penned Newton's first number-one country hit, "The Sweetest Thing ".

"Lay Back in the Arms of Someone" is a song co-written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, performed by the English band Smokie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls Talk (Elvis Costello song)</span> 1979 new wave song

"Girls Talk" is a new wave song written by Elvis Costello and first recorded by Dave Edmunds in 1978. Costello gave an early version of the song to Edmunds, who reworked the song and released it on his album Repeat When Necessary. Edmunds' version peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and number 12 in Ireland, becoming one of Edmunds' most successful career singles.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Juice Newton album) 1985 greatest hits album by Juice Newton

Greatest Hits is the ninth album and first greatest hits collection by country pop singer Juice Newton. It was originally released by Capitol Records in 1984 with ten tracks taken from her albums Juice, Quiet Lies, and Dirty Looks. It was reissued in 1986 in an expanded 15-track edition titled Juice Newton's Greatest Hits . The album became a best seller and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<i>Emotion</i> (Juice Newton album) 1987 studio album by Juice Newton

Emotion is the eighth solo studio album by American country pop singer Juice Newton. It was released by RCA Records in 1987 and was the last of Newton's albums to appear on the Billboard charts.

<i>Emotions</i> (Juice Newton album) 1994 compilation album by Juice Newton

Emotions is a compilation album by country pop singer Juice Newton. It was released by Pair Records in 1994 and consists of 20 tracks taken from five of the six albums Newton recorded for RCA.

<i>Anthology</i> (Juice Newton album) 1998 compilation album by Juice Newton

Anthology is a compilation album by country pop singer Juice Newton. It was originally released by Renaissance Records on October 13, 1998. The album covers her career from 1975 to 1989 and features 19 songs taken from her albums Juice Newton & Silver Spur, Juice, Quiet Lies, Can't Wait All Night, Old Flame, Emotion, and Ain't Gonna Cry. However, it includes the 1975 take of "The Sweetest Thing " from the first RCA album, not the 1981 hit version from Juice.

References

  1. 1 2 Edmunds, Dave (1994). "Plugged In" (Interview). Interviewed by Dan Neer. Pyramid Records. p. 59:46.
  2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Repeat When Necessary – Dave Edmunds". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  3. Swanson, Dave (9 June 2015). "Why Two Rockpile Albums Were Disguised as Solo Records". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  4. "Dave Edmunds". Trouser Press. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  5. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  6. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Queen of Hearts". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  7. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 179. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  8. Molanphy, Chris (November 5, 2020). "Friends in Low Places Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate . Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  9. White, Robert 'Bo' (September 15, 2011). "Juice Newton: The Queen of Hearts Revealed". Newreviewsite.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  10. The Baltimore Sun June 24, 1982
  11. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 104.
  12. "100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . June 2014.
  13. "Australian-charts.com - Forum - Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  14. "Juice Newton – Queen of Hearts". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "charts.org.nz - Juice Newton - Queen Of Hearts".
  16. "Juice Newton – Queen of Hearts". offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  17. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989" . Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  18. "Juice Newton – Queen of Hearts". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  19. 1 2 Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications), page 258.
  20. "Juice Newton Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  21. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, September 26, 1981". Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  22. "National Top 100 Singles for 1981". Kent Music Report. 4 January 1982. p. 7. Retrieved January 11, 2022 via Imgur.
  23. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-10-20.
  24. "Top 100 Hits of 1981/Top 100 Songs of 1981". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  25. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 26, 1981". Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  26. "Chart-Informationen Puppe (Du bist a moderne Hex')". Chartsurfer.de. Retrieved 2017-12-17.