"Heartbeat" is a 1982 song written by

Eric Kaz Eric Justin Kaz (born January 21, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter born in Brooklyn, New York. Besides his solo work, Kaz was a member of Blues Magoos for their fourth and fifth albums, ''Never Goin' Back to Georgia'' and ''Gulf Coast Bound ...

and

Wendy Waldman Wendy Waldman (born November 29, 1950) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Biography Early life Waldman (born Wendy Steiner) grew up in the Los Angeles area. She was raised in a musical environment: her father Fred Steiner ...

. It was first recorded by Waldman and released on her 1982 album ''Which Way to Main Street''. That same year, Australian-American singer Helen Reddy recorded the song for her 1983 album ''Imagination'', the song failed to chart. The most famous rendition of the song is a 1986 cover of the song by

Don Johnson Donnie Wayne Johnson (born December 15, 1949) is an American actor, producer and singer. He played the role of James "Sonny" Crockett in the 1980s television series ''Miami Vice'', for which he won a Golden Globe, and received a Primetime Emm ...

, which was released as a single and included on Johnson's album ''Heartbeat''. Johnson's cover became an international hit, peaking at number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and charting highly in many

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...

an countries. The song's popularity led to Johnson being named "the best new vocalist of 1986" in a ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

'' readers poll, and he released a

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...

interpreting the song, filmed with actress

Lori Singer Lori Singer (born November 6, 1957) is an American actress and musician. The daughter of conductor Jacques Singer, she was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and raised in Portland, Oregon, where her father served as the lead conductor of the Oreg ...

Helen Reddy version

In 1982, Australian-American singer Helen Reddy, who also has performed other songs from Kaz and Waldman covered the song for her 1983 studio album '' Imagination''. It was recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders Inc. In

Hollywood, California Hollywood is a neighborhood in the central region of Los Angeles, California. Its name has come to be a shorthand reference for the U.S. film industry and the people associated with it. Many notable film studios, such as Columbia Pictures, ...

, and was produced by Joe Wissert. This was also one of her final songs on MCA Records Despite ''Imagination'' and 1981's '' Play Me Out'' failed to chart.

Personnel

*David L. Kemper - drums *Neil Stubenhas - bass *Robbie Buchanan - accostic piano *Martin Welsh - guitar

Don Johnson version

In 1986, American actor and singer

recorded the song and included it on his debut album of the same name, releasing it as his debut single. It is the most successful version of the song, as well as becoming an international hit, peaking at number five on the

Billboard Hot 100 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streamin ...

, and charting highly in many

European European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe ...

countries. A music video was released featuring actress

interpretating the song.

Track listings

7" single # "Heartbeat" - 4:18 # "Can't Take Your Memory" - 4:30 12" single # "Heartbeat" - 4:18 # "Can't Take Your Memory" - 4:30 # "Coco Don't" - 3:33

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

External links

* {{authority control 1982 songs 1982 singles 1983 songs 1986 songs 1986 singles 1986 debut singles Songs written by Eric Kaz Songs written by Wendy Waldman Helen Reddy songs