"Harden My Heart" is a song by American rock group Quarterflash, written by guitarist Marv Ross and included on the band's debut album, Quarterflash (1981). The song was originally released as a single in early 1980 by Seafood Mama, Quarterflash's predecessor band. Quarterflash's version became a top-10 hit in the United States, peaking at 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1982. The song's video features theatrics in and around an office trailer with dark corridors and swinging metal-halide light bulbs from the ceiling before it was bulldozed and torched.
Background and release Guitarist and songwriter Marv Ross said,
The first version was recorded by Seafood Mama in the band members' basement in Portland in 1980. After changing their name to Quarterflash and getting signed to Geffen, they re-recorded the song at the Record Plant in Los Angeles. Ross said the re-recording had a better guitar solo, as well as better sound quality in general.
After changing their name, Quarterflash released their self-titled debut album in 1981 that contains the new version of "Harden My Heart". This power ballad version was released as the album's first single. In February 1982, it reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Top Tracks chart, and No. 41 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Worldwide, the song charted in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and German-speaking Europe.
Personnel Rindy Ross: vocals, saxophone Marv Ross: guitars Jack Charles: guitars, vocals Rick DiGiallonardo: keyboards Rich Gooch: bass Brian David Willis: drums, percussion
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1981–1982)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)6South Africa (Springbok Radio)7US Billboard Hot 1003US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)41US Rock Top Tracks (Billboard)1
Year-end charts Chart (1982)RankAustralia (Kent Music Report)38Canada Top Singles (RPM)93US Billboard Hot 10013
See also List of Billboard Mainstream Rock number-one songs of the 1980s
References