"The Heart of the Matter" is a song recorded by American rock singer Don Henley from his third solo studio album, The End of the Innocence (1989). Written by Henley, Mike Campbell, and JD Souther and produced by Henley, Campbell, and Danny Kortchmar, the song was released as the album's third single, reaching No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks in early 1990.
In 1994 Henley, along with the Eagles, played an acoustic version of the song at their reunion concert; the performance was omitted from the Hell Freezes Over live CD, but was included in the concert DVD.
The song was covered by American soul singer India.Arie in 2006 on her third studio album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship. Her version of the song is used in the second episode of Brothers & Sisters, entitled "An Act of Will", and in the theatrical trailer for the 2008 film adaptation of Sex and the City. It is also played briefly in a scene of the film.
Stage and television actress Megan Hilty recorded a cover on her 2013 debut solo album It Happens All the Time.
Canadian singer Nikki Yanofsky recorded a live acoustic cover for her 2010 DVD Live in Montreal.
Composition
In a November 2003 interview with Songfacts, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist and songwriter Mike Campbell explained the song's origins:
Personnel Don Henley – lead vocals Mike Campbell – keyboards, guitars Larry Klein – bass Stan Lynch – drums, percussion Carmen Twillie – backing vocals Julia Waters – backing vocals Maxine Waters – backing vocals
Charts
Don Henley version Weekly charts Chart (1990)Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1990)Position
India.Arie version Chart (2006)PeakpositionU.S. Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs 7Chart (2008)PeakpositionCanadian Hot 10033Swedish Singles Chart46UK Singles Chart79
References