Hearts (America album)

Hearts is the fifth studio album by American folk rock trio America, released by Warner Bros. Records in 1975. The album was produced by George Martin, the second of six consecutive albums he produced with America.

Hearts
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 19, 1975
RecordedJanuary 6–30, 1975
StudioThe Record Plant, Sausalito, California
Genre
Length36:31
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerGeorge Martin
America chronology
Holiday
(1974)
Hearts
(1975)
History: America's Greatest Hits
(1975)
Singles from Hearts
  1. "Sister Golden Hair"
    Released: March 19, 1975
  2. "Daisy Jane"
    Released: July 2, 1975
  3. "Woman Tonight"
    Released: August 29, 1975 (UK)[1]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[2]

This album was a big hit in the US, reaching number 4 on the Billboard album chart and being certified gold by the RIAA. It produced three hit singles: "Sister Golden Hair", which went to number 1 on the Billboard singles chart and number 5 on the adult contemporary chart; "Daisy Jane", which peaked at 20 on the Billboard singles chart and number 4 on the Adult Contemporary chart; and the funky "Woman Tonight", which reached 44 on the Billboard singles chart and 41 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Several other songs received radio airplay on FM stations playing album tracks including "Company", "Old Virginia", "Bell Tree" and "Midnight". The album was also released on Quadrophonic reel-to-reel tape for 4-channel enthusiasts, also released on Quadraphonic CD-4 album.

The cover was designed by Phil Hartman, who eventually left graphic design to pursue acting.

Cash Box said of the single "Woman Tonight" that "instead of the expected [ballad], the boys dash off some good new-fashioned change."[3] Record World said that rather than "America's soft, willowy sound," "Woman Tonight" is a "hearty rockin' romp with a reggae flavor."[4]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Daisy Jane"Gerry Beckley3:07
2."Half a Man"Dan Peek3:33
3."Midnight"Beckley, Dewey Bunnell2:41
4."Bell Tree"Beckley2:32
5."Old Virginia"D. Peek, Catherine Peek3:28
6."People in the Valley"Bunnell2:43
7."Company"Bunnell3:23
8."Woman Tonight"D. Peek2:19
9."The Story of a Teenager"Beckley, D. Peek3:19
10."Sister Golden Hair"Beckley3:16
11."Tomorrow"D. Peek2:48
12."Seasons"Bunnell3:00
13."Simple Life" (bonus track on Japanese CD)D. Peek2:12

Personnel

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America

with:

  • David Dickey – bass
  • Willie Leacox – drums, percussion
  • George Martin – keyboards
  • Uncredited – cello (on "Daisy Jane")
  • Clydie King, Venetta Fields – background vocals "Story of a Teenager"

Production

Charts

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Chart (1975) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[6] 17
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[7] 3
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[8] 74
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[9] 12
US Billboard 200[10] 4

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[11] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[12] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[13] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Great Rock Discography". p. 16.
  2. ^ Cross, Charles R. (2004). "America". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 16. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  3. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 8 November 1975. p. 20. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. 15 November 1975. p. 18. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Musical Maps".
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3892a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  8. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  9. ^ "Charts.nz – America – Hearts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  10. ^ "America Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Canadian album certifications – America – Hearts". Music Canada.
  12. ^ "British album certifications – America – Hearts". British Phonographic Industry.
  13. ^ "American album certifications – America – Hearts". Recording Industry Association of America.