"Cross My Broken Heart" by The Jets

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  3150

Date:  06/06/1987
Debut:  63
Peak:  7
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Dance-Pop, R&B, Soundtrack



Pop Bits:  At this point in time, this family band's self-titled debut album was just about to get a platinum certification. It got there thanks to a pair of #3 Pop hits, "Crush on You" and "You Got It All." As the band began to prepare their follow-up album, they got the opportunity to record a song for a film soundtrack. This song co-written and co-produced by Stephen Bray (of Madonna fame and The Breakfast Club) was what came The Jets' way and they got it recorded for the soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy flick Beverly Hills Cop II. It was issued out as the soundtrack's second single on the heels of Bob Seger's "Shakedown." It would also serve as the lead single to The Jets' second album, Magic, which would be released in the fall. The song would be another multi-format hit for the band making the Top 10 at Pop, #8 Dance, and #11 R&B.

ReduxReview:  This song was a good vehicle for the family band. It certainly had a contemporary Madonna sound to it thanks to Bray. Had the label/producers hired a Madonna-ish singer to record the song, it may not have been as big of a hit because it might have sounded like a rip-off. However, since it was The Jets and they already had a couple of hits under their belt, the song sounded more like an extension of their sound rather than an imitation. Bray probably should have kept the tune for his own band (The Breakfast Club), but either way, he ended up with a solid hit.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Labels sometimes like to capitalize on artists who have broken through quickly with their debut album. Especially artists who have a large teen-based following or perhaps fall in the AC crowd. If the timing is right, one of the ways to do that is to get the artist to record a holiday album. Due to the artist being hot at the time, holiday albums can sell well and can be money makers since they are typically done quickly on a low budget. And if the artist has longevity, there is a chance the album could continue to sell over several holiday seasons. MCA seemed like it was a good idea for The Jets to hop on board a sleigh and deliver a gift to their fans. The band recorded Christmas with the Jets and it was released in time for the '86 holiday season. It was a more modern Christmas album with the band doing contemporary tunes instead of old holiday standards. Unfortunately, it seems only a few folks bought the album. The album topped off at a minor #30 on the Holiday Albums chart.

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