"Heart" by Neneh Cherry

Song#:  4132

Date:  12/09/1989

Debut:  94

Peak:  73

Weeks:  8

Genre:  R&B, Hip-Hop

Pop Bits:  Cherry's second single from her debut album Raw Like Sushi, "Kisses on the Wind," would become her second to make the Pop Top 10 topping out at #8. It seems next up for release was the track "Manchild," which had been her second single in the UK. It reached #5 there. However, the song just didn't click in the US and it failed to chart. The label then quickly issued out this next single that was only released in the US and Australia (UK and Europe would get "Inna City Mama" as the fourth single). While this time around the song did get on the Pop chart, it would only stick around for a few weeks. The album had already peaked at #40. The lack of a third hit would keep the album from reaching the gold sales mark.

ReduxReview:  Besides the first two hits, there wasn't anything else on the album that was of that commercial caliber. While "Manchild" seemed to work in the UK, it definitely wasn't something that was going to make it in the US. I'm surprised it was even attempted. This track had a chorus that was fairly radio ready, so it was perhaps the better choice for single release in the US, but its mix of spoken word/rap/singing didn't fully click. The album was terrific and between the two hits, critical reception, and a Grammy nod for Best New Artist, I'm still surprised it didn't do better on the chart and at least go gold.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Cherry would return in '92 with her second album Homebrew. It would be another critical success for the artists, but it seems radio and record buyers in the US didn't connect with it. The LP's first single, "Money Love," failed to chart. A second single, "Buddy X," would fare better reaching #43 Pop/#4 Dance/#96 R&B, but it didn't spark any interest in the album and it would fail to chart. While none of her follow up albums would reach the US chart, she would get on the Pop chart one last time as half of a duet. Cherry would team up with Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour for the song "7 Seconds." The song was recorded for N'Dour's 1994 album The Guide (Wommat). It would be a major worldwide hit reaching the Top 3 in many countries including the UK. In the US, the tune would just make the Pop chart at #98. N'Dour's album would get to #2 on the US World Albums chart. In '95, Cherry would reach #1 in the UK via a charity single. Recorded for the British charity Comic Relief, "Love Can Build a Bridge" featured Neneh Cherry, Cher, Chrissie Hynde, and Eric Clapton. The single, which was a cover of a 1990 #6 Country hit by The Judds, would be a hit getting to #1. After that, Cherry would grab one last Top 10 in the UK. The track "Woman" from her '96 album Man would get to #9.

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