Tell It to My Heart (Taylor Dayne song)

"Tell It to My Heart" is a song performed by American singer, songwriter and actress Taylor Dayne, released in July 24, 1987[4] by Arista Records as her first single from her debut album, Tell It to My Heart (1988). The single was Dayne's first major exposure, and she soon became known for her up-tempo, dance-oriented music. The song was written by Chappell Music staff songwriter Seth Swirsky and Ernie Gold, and produced by Ric Wake. Swirsky almost did not deliver the song to his publisher after he and his girlfriend decided it was not good enough. The song was originally recorded by Louisa Florio in 1987.

"Tell It to My Heart"
Single by Taylor Dayne
from the album Tell It to My Heart
ReleasedJuly 24, 1987 (1987-07-24)
StudioCove City Sound (Glen Cove, New York)
Genre
Length3:38
LabelArista
Songwriter(s)
  • Seth Swirsky
  • Ernie Gold
Producer(s)Ric Wake
Taylor Dayne singles chronology
"Tell It to My Heart"
(1987)
"Prove Your Love"
(1988)
Music video
"Tell It to My Heart" on YouTube

The song debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 during the week of October 10, 1987, at position number 92, and entered the top 40 of the chart the week of November 14, 1987, rising to number 39 from number 43. Ten weeks later, during the week of January 23, 1988, the single peaked in the number seven spot. The song was present on the Hot 100 for 25 weeks. In the UK, "Tell It To My Heart" reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. It was the 23rd best-selling single of 1988 in the UK. In 1995, "Tell It to My Heart'" was remixed and re-released to promote Dayne's Greatest Hits package. This version climbed to number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.

Background

edit

"Tell It To My Heart" reached Taylor Dayne when Dayne contacted Chappell Music and asked to be sent some demos which had been overlooked, although the song had been recorded in early 1987 by Louisa Florio for a self-titled Canadian album release. Dayne recalled feeling an immediate affinity with the song: "I thought there was something about the hook – it's a happy hook." The track was recorded at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, Long Island. Dayne's father loaned her $6,000 to create the demo.[5] The track took off so unexpectedly in the fall of 1987 that Taylor was forced to complete her debut album at Cove City Sound in eight weeks.

Swirsky also co-wrote Dayne's follow-up single "Prove Your Love". For almost two months, only the 12-inch record of "Tell It to My Heart" with four mixes was available for purchase, and ended up selling 900,000 copies alone.[6]

Dayne was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal, Female for her performance on "Tell It to My Heart" in 1988. Producer Ric Wake said in a 1994 interview with Vibe magazine that "Tell It to My Heart" "really blew people away".[7] Commenting on Taylor Dayne's voice he said "They thought she was, like, black or some kind of ethnic...".[7]

Critical reception

edit

Lysette Cohen from Record Mirror wrote, "The single is one of those unbelievably catchy ones, full of what Taylor calls, "happy hooks". Yet it is more imposing and robust then your average dancefloor ditty. There's real guts in there. A little like the lady herself perhaps?"[8] Another Record Mirror editor, Matthew Collin, felt that the single showed that Dayne "makes a brilliant disco queen".[9]

Impact and legacy

edit

In 2023, Time Out ranked "Tell It to My Heart" number 80 in their "The 100 Best Party Songs Ever Made", writing, "The Long Island native born Leslie Wunderman sounds positively voracious on her 1987 signature hit. Few dance-pop classics feel more urgent or fierce than 'Tell It to My Heart'; you can see that Dayne's been waiting her whole life to belt out lines like 'Body to body / Soul to soul / Always feel you near.' The lyrics might read like bad student poetry, but blend them with unabashedly hammy '80s synths and a so-passionate-it's-a-little-scary delivery, and the result is a sonic Roman candle, blasting fireballs of fun onto the dance floor."[10] Same year, Rolling Stone ranked it number 148 in their "The 200 Best '80s Songs", adding, "Miami freestyle hits the Long Island bar-mitzvah circuit to conquer Middle America. Result: a permanent disco floor-filler."[1]

Track listings

edit

Cover versions

edit

A Spanish-language version titled "Díselo a mi corazón" was included on Spanish pop group Amistades Peligrosas's 1993 album, La última tentación. In 2002, English singer Kelly Llorenna released her version of the song as a single. It peaked at number nine in the United Kingdom and number 31 in Ireland.[11][12] In 2011, American singer Raquela (Burt) released her version of the song as a single.[13] It stayed on the DJ Times Top 40 dance charts for 28 weeks. In 2023, Cash Cash released a remix version of this song with newly re-recorded vocals from Dayne.[14]

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Certifications for "Tell It to My Heart"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI)[65] Gold 250,000^
Sweden (GLF)[66] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[67] Silver 200,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[68]
Kelly Llorenna version
Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[4] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Sheffield, Rob (November 23, 2023). "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s". Rolling Stone.
  2. ^ Molanphy, Chris (July 16, 2022). "Point of No Return Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  3. ^ Breihan, Tom (September 10, 2021). "The Number Ones: Taylor Dayne's "Love Will Lead You Back". Stereogum. Retrieved December 2, 2023. Tell It To My Heart" is a dinky little track, a replacement-level mid-'80s hi-NRG thing...
  4. ^ a b "Tell It to My Heart". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  5. ^ "Tell It To My Heart by Taylor Dayne - Professor of Rock". Professor of Rock. November 5, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  6. ^ "Tell it to my Heart".
  7. ^ a b Bill Van Parys (April 1994), Great Dane, Vibe, p. 66
  8. ^ Cohen, Lysette (January 16, 1988). "The Great Dayne". Record Mirror. p. 39. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  9. ^ Collin, Matthew (March 5, 1988). "Albums". Record Mirror. p. 14. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  10. ^ Doyle, Ella; Lawrence, India; Taylor, Henrietta; Manning, James; Kryza, Andy; Lukowski, Andrzej; Levine, Nick; Waywell, Chris (July 28, 2023). "The 100 Best Party Songs Ever Made". Time Out. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Kelly Llorenna: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Irish-charts.com – Discography Kelly Llorenna". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  13. ^ Michael Jefferies (2020). "Feel The Beat". Hopmusic.
  14. ^ Nicole Pepe (September 20, 2023). "Cash Cash & Taylor Dayne team up for 'Tell It To My Heart': Listen". We Rave You. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. p. 83. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  16. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 22. May 28, 1988. p. 74. ISSN 0006-2510 – via World Radio History.
  17. ^ "Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  18. ^ "Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0941." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 16. April 16, 1988. p. 20. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  21. ^ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 10. March 5, 1988. p. 16. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  22. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  23. ^ "Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart" (in French). Les classement single.
  24. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Tell It to My Heart". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  25. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Taylor Dayne" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  26. ^ "Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  27. ^ "Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart". Top 40 Singles.
  28. ^ "Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart". VG-lista.
  29. ^ "Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). March 25, 1988. p. 11. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  30. ^ "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts D". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  31. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  32. ^ "Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart". Singles Top 100.
  33. ^ "Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart". Swiss Singles Chart.
  34. ^ "Taylor Dayne: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  35. ^ "Top Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. February 13, 1988. p. 28. Retrieved August 28, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  36. ^ "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  37. ^ a b "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  38. ^ "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  39. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending January 23, 1988". Cash Box. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  40. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  41. ^ "Taylor Dayne: Tell It to My Heart" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  42. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 29. July 13, 2002. p. 7. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  43. ^ "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 4 July 2002". GfK Chart-Track. Retrieved June 4, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  44. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  45. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  46. ^ "Cash Cash Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  47. ^ "Cash Cash Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  48. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1988". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  49. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1988" (in German). Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  50. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1988 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  51. ^ "Top 100 Singles of '88" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 10. December 24, 1988. p. 9. ISSN 0033-7064 – via World Radio History.
  52. ^ "1988 Year-End Eurocharts - Ariplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. January 1, 1989. p. 29. Retrieved June 11, 2024 – via World Radio History.
  53. ^ "1988 Year End Eurocharts – Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. January 1, 1988. p. 30. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  54. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  55. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  56. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1988". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  57. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1988". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  58. ^ "Top 100 Singles – Year-End Chart 1988" (PDF). Music Week Awards. Music Week. March 4, 1989. p. 12. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  59. ^ "Year-End Chart 1988 - Top 20 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week Awards. Music Week. March 4, 1989. p. 24. ISSN 0265-1548. Retrieved August 29, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  60. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  61. ^ "1988 The Year in Music & Video – Top Dance Sales 12-Inch Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 52. December 24, 1988. p. Y-25. ISSN 0006-2510 – via World Radio History.
  62. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1988" (in German). GfK Entertainmen. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  63. ^ "Eurochartbusters: The Hot 100 Singles Compiled from Music & Media's Five Year Chart Archives" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 11 (5 Years ed.). March 18, 1989. pp. 32–33. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved July 9, 2024 – via World Radio History.
  64. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  65. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Taylor Dayne; 'Tell It to My Heart')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  66. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  67. ^ "British single certifications – Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  68. ^ "British single certifications – Kelly Llorenna – Tell It to My Heart". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 11, 2021.