"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 BillboardHot 100. The song was written by singer-songwriterEssra 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.
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."[2]
Cash Box called it "tough and tender" and praised the "punchy" guitars and rhythm track.[3]Billboard called it "solid rock" that's "neither wacky nor idiosyncratic."[4]
"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.[5] It had similar success in the Hot Dance/Club Play Songs chart, hitting No. 4.[6] The song placed at No. 61 on the year-end chart of 1987.[7] In Canada, the song debuted at No. 88 on the RPM issue dated 13 December 1986.[8] After 10 weeks, it reached a peak position of No. 13[9] and spent a total of 17 weeks in the chart.[10] 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.[11] Across Europe, "Change of Heart" peaked at No. 8 in France.[12]
^ ab"Billboard Hot 100 1987". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1987-12-26. ISSN0006-2510.
^"Top Singles". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 12. RPM Music Publications Ltd. December 13, 1986. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
^ ab"Top Singles". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 21. RPM Music Publications Ltd. February 28, 1987. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
^"Top Singles". RPM. Vol. 46, no. 2. RPM Music Publications Ltd. April 18, 1987. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
^Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 173. ISBN0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and 19 June 1988.