| Heartbeat | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Wendy Waldman |
| Album: | Which Way to Main Street |
| Released: | 1982 |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Length: | 3:30 |
| Label: | Epic |
| Producer: | Eddie Kramer[1] |
| Prev Title: | Does Anybody Want to Marry Me |
| Prev Year: | 1982 |
| Next Title: | Living in Hard Times |
| Next Year: | 1987 |
"Heartbeat" is a 1982 song written by Eric Kaz and Wendy Waldman. It was first recorded by Waldman and released on her 1982 album Which Way to Main Street. That same year, Australian-American singer Helen Reddy recorded the song for her 1983 album Imagination, the song failed to chart.
The most famous rendition of the song is a 1986 cover of the song by Don Johnson, which was released as a single and included on Johnson's album Heartbeat. Johnson's cover became an international hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and charting highly in many European countries. The song's popularity led to Johnson being named "the best new vocalist of 1986" in a Rolling Stone readers poll, and he released a music video interpreting the song, filmed with actress Lori Singer.[2]
| Heartbeat | |
| Album: | Imagination |
| Released: | February 1983 |
| Recorded: | 1982 |
| Studio: | Hollywood Sound Recorders Inc., Hollywood, California |
| Genre: | Pop rock |
| Label: | MCA |
| Producer: | Joe Wissert |
| Artist: | Helen Reddy |
In 1982, Australian-American singer Helen Reddy, who also has performed other songs from Kaz and Waldman covered the song for her 1983 studio album Imagination. It was recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders Inc. in Hollywood, California, and was produced by Joe Wissert. This was also one of her final songs on MCA Records Despite Imagination and 1981's Play Me Out failed to chart.
| Heartbeat | |
| Cover: | Don Johnson - Heartbeat single cover.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Don Johnson |
| Album: | Heartbeat |
| B-Side: | Can't Take Your Memory |
| Released: | August 19, 1986 |
| Recorded: | 1985 |
| Genre: | Pop rock |
| Length: | 4:18 |
| Label: | Epic |
| Producer: | Chas Sandford |
| Next Title: | Heartache Away |
| Next Year: | 1986 |
In 1986, American actor and singer Don Johnson recorded the song and included it on his debut album of the same name, releasing it as his debut single. It is the most successful version of the song, as well as becoming an international hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and charting highly in many European countries. A music video was released featuring actress Lori Singer interpreting the song. This song was featured in the game "Grand Theft Auto V" on the "Los Santos Rock Radio" station.
7" single
12" single
| Chart (1986–1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 26 |
| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[4] | 46 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[5] | 4 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 5 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 26 |
| US Top 100 Singles (Cash Box)[7] | 4 |
| Chart (1986) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] | 34 | |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9] | 80 | |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] | 33 | |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] | 40 | |
| US Top 100 Singles (Cash Box)[12] | 53 |
| Chart (1987) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[13] | 16 | |
| West Germany (Official German Charts)[14] | 39 |
