"Change of Heart" is a song by American singer and songwriter Cyndi Lauper, released on November 11, 1986 as the second single from her second album, True Colors (1986). It went gold in the US, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by singer-songwriter Essra Mohawk. Popular remixes by Shep Pettibone were also released. A music video was produced for the song, filmed in Trafalgar Square in London. It features Lauper and her tour band (including David Rosenthal on keyboards) performing the song in front of a large group of people. The Bangles sang background vocals on the original recording. A live version of the song was released on Lauper's live album/DVD, To Memphis, with Love.
Critical response Jimmy Guterman of Rolling Stone magazine said of the song in his album review for True Colors, "...Lauper's trademark hiccuped syllables rest on a cushion of harmonies supplied by The Bangles and transform what is little more than a sophisticated rhythm track with nominal lyrics into a heartfelt declaration of fidelity."
Cash Box called it "tough and tender" and praised the "punchy" guitars and rhythm track. Billboard called it "solid rock" that's "neither wacky nor idiosyncratic."
Music video
The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan. It features Lauper and her tour band playing informal gigs in public locations in London, including Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square (with a clear shot of the poster for A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge being visible at the Odeon), Covent Garden, and Westminster Bridge / The Queen's Walk, where the London Eye is currently located, 13 years before its opening.
Track listing
Credits and personnel Cyndi Lauper – co-production, vocals Essra Mohawk – songwriting Lennie Petze – co-production Shep Pettibone – mixing Nile Rodgers – guitar The Latin Rascals – editing Steve Peck – engineer The Bangles – backing vocals
Credits adapted from the album liner notes.
Charts "Change of Heart" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 67 and reached a peak position of No. 3 on the issue dated 14 February 1987, spending a total of 17 weeks on the chart. It had similar success in the Hot Dance/Club Play Songs chart, hitting No. 4. The song placed at No. 61 on the year-end chart of 1987. In Canada, the song debuted at No. 88 on the RPM issue dated 13 December 1986. After 10 weeks, it reached a peak position of No. 13 and spent a total of 17 weeks in the chart. In the United Kingdom, "Change of Heart" debuted at No. 96 on the UK Singles Chart and was Lauper's least successful UK single to date, only reaching No. 67. Across Europe, "Change of Heart" peaked at No. 8 in France and sold out 200.000 copies.
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "Change of Heart" Chart (1986–1987) PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report) N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and 19 June 1988.15Chile (Chilean Singles Chart)4European Hot 100 Singles (Music & Media)54Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)29Greece (IFPI Greece)5Mexico (AMPROFON)6Mexico Hit Parade (RPM)4Puerto Rico (UPI)5US Cash Box Top 1004
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for "Change of Heart" Chart (1987) Position US Billboard Hot 10061
Release history +Release dates and formats for "Change of Heart"RegionDateLabel(s)Format(s)Cat. No.United KingdomNovember 17, 1986PortraitDecember 22, 1986
References