"Two of Hearts" is a song by American singer Stacey Q, first issued as an independent 12-inch dance club single by On the Spot Records, then picked up by Atlantic after achieving regional sales.[4] It was written by John Mitchell and produced by Jon St. James, William Walker and Jeff Fishman. The song was Stacey Q's biggest hit; its global sales success fueled the recording of her debut album Better Than Heaven (1986), which included the song.[5] The song was released as the album's lead single on June 13, 1986.
Background and recording
After the release of the album Playback (1983) with the band SSQ, Stacey Q began working with Jon St. James on her solo material. St. James brought her the song "Two of Hearts," suggesting that she record it. At first, Stacey Q refused to record a song written by someone else, but later she changed her mind.[6] The single was co-produced by St. James who owned the recording studio, William Walker, and nightclub deejay Jeff Fishman. The artist and producers promoted the single, especially to Latin music audiences in Los Angeles and Miami. The song was picked up by Atlantic Records to be released as the lead single from Q's debut studio album Better Than Heaven (1986). They recorded the album in three weeks while the song was climbing the charts.[4]
The song was prominently featured in the Facts of Life episode "Off-Broadway Baby" in which Stacey Q appeared as the character Cinnamon, a teenage singer largely modeled on herself; the episode ends with her performing the song in a radio station's sound booth.[7]
Lyrics and music
Musically, "Two of Hearts" is a hi-NRG song. It utilizes vocal sampling with the repetitive usage of the line "I need you" in its hook. The song's lyrics revolve around love and romance. "Two of Hearts" received positive reviews from music critics and was a commercial success around the globe. It entered the US Billboard Hot 100 in mid-July 1986,[8] breaking into the top 40 in mid-August[9] and peaking at number three during the autumn of that same year to become one of the highest-selling singles of 1986.[10] "Two of Hearts" was ranked number 27 on VH1's "100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '80s", although follow-up single "We Connect" was a minor hit on the Hot 100 (peaking at #35).
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Two of Hearts" was directed by Peter Lippman. It depicts Stacey Q dancing in front of a white background in various outfits and performing at a nightclub. "Two of Hearts" has been covered by a number of artists, and Stacey Q also performed the song on a season eight episode of The Facts of Life. The song was used as the ringtone of the protagonist in the HBO Max series The Flight Attendant.
Critical reception
Jerry Smith of the Music Week magazine described "Two of Hearts" a "bright bubbly track" he deemed "instantly memorable" and "entertaining" thanks to its "lively disco beat and slick pop vocal".[11] In a review published in Smash Hits, Dave Rimmer considered that the song is a "fine example of the kind of mechanical dance music that sounds brilliant in dodgy Greek discos on holidays".[12]
^Two of Hearts (US 7-inch Single liner notes). Stacey Q. On The Spot Records / NRS. 1986. NRS 110.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Two of Hearts (US 12-inch Single liner notes). Stacey Q. On The Spot Records / NRS. 1986. NRS 116.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Two of Hearts (US 7-inch Single liner notes). Stacey Q. Atlantic Records. 1986. 7-89381.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Two of Hearts (US 12-inch Single liner notes). Stacey Q. Atlantic Records. 1986. 0-86797.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 290. ISBN0-646-11917-6.
