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Black Heart (Stooshe song)

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"Black Heart"
Single by Stooshe
from the album London with the Lights On
B-side"Things That Make You Go Mmm"
Released15 June 2012
Recorded2011
GenreR&B[1]
Length3:27
LabelWarner Music UK
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Future Cut
Stooshe singles chronology
"Love Me"
(2012) 		"Black Heart"
(2012) 		"Waterfalls"
(2012)
Music video
"Black Heart" on YouTube

"Black Heart" is a song by British girl group Stooshe, taken from their debut album London with the Lights On (2013). Produced and written by Future Cut in collaboration with Jo Perry and Shaznay Lewis, it was released as the album's second official single by Warner Music UK from 15 June 2012. "Black Heart" is a ballad with a "Motown-esque" feel about it. Group member Courtney Rumbold revealed the song showcases Stooshe's different range, tones and styles. The lyrics to "Black Heart" talk of the issues of being in a relationship with a cheating lover. The cover art for "Black Heart" was released on 17 May. It depicts the girls in illustrated outfits and Jenny Mensah of 4Music called it "loud, bright and colourful".[2]

Critical reception of the song was generally positive. Rhik Samadder from The Guardian called "Black Heart" an "homage to 60s girl group melodrama",[3] while 4Music's Nicolle Weeks branded it "a classic tune to swoon to".[4] The accompanying music video was directed by Matt Stawski and released on 29 April. It was shot in Los Angeles using vintage cameras and the setting uses a mixture of themes similar to those featured in the musicals Dreamgirls and Hairspray. The video depicts Stooshe as a girl group from the Sixties on the set of a television show. It shows band member Alexandra Buggs in a relationship with the host of the television show and him cheating on her with an assistant.

Background

[edit]

In April 2012, it was announced "Black Heart" would serve as the second official single from Stooshe's debut album.[5][6] Produced and written by Future Cut in collaboration with Jo Perry and Shaznay Lewis, "Black Heart" was released in the United Kingdom by Warner Music UK on 17 June 2012.[7][8][9] Group member Karis Anderson commented that working with Lewis on the song was "amazing" as she is from a successful girl group (All Saints) herself.[10] Anderson revealed "Black Heart" is a ballad and the opposite of what the band had released so far. She explained "I think we made our mind up that with every single we're gonna reinvent ourselves. This one is a bit Motown-esque."[11] Alexandra Buggs stated that the track was her favourite from the album and that after being boxed into an "explicit upbeat category", the group decided to slow things down.[10] Courtney Rumbold told Digital Spy's Robert Copsey and Jamie Wotton that all three members of Stooshe sing on the track and listeners would be able to hear their different ranges, tones and styles.[11]

"Black Heart" deals with the issues of being in a relationship with a cheating lover. Buggs thought "Black Heart" was a song that girls can relate to, while guys would also like it.[12] The cover art for the single was released on 17 May.[13] It depicts the girls in illustrated outfits.[13] Jenny Mensah of 4Music called the cover "loud, bright and colourful" and said "there's no way you'll be able to miss it on the record shop shelves."[2]

Critical reception

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Rhik Samadder from The Guardian wrote that the song is an "open homage to 60s girl group melodrama"; which could possibly fit to the soundtrack of a Disney film about the serial killer Ted Bundy. He added that they just sound like the Spice Girls covering The Supremes.[3] Weeks branded the song a "stylised ballad" and "a classic tune to swoon to"; which also highlight's Stooshe's "stripped-down natural talent".[4] Becca Longmire from Entertainmentwise.com commented that "Black Heart" will allow the group "to reinvent themselves, adding a little Motown with that signature Stooshe style."[14]

A soLondon writer stated "There's passion, pain and great singing here - this is surely going to be a bigger hit than their first single, and a great curtain-raiser for the new album, out later in the year."[15] Issy Sampson, writing for NME, said "The girlband's second single features 98 per cent less Laahndann accents and 100 per cent less Travie McCoy than their debut, and for that they must be applauded. The first step is recognising you have a problem, the second step is making a retro song that's more slutty Supremes than 'Wannabe' Spice Girls. Congratulations Stooshe."[16] Digital Spy's Robert Copsey gave "Black Heart" four out of five stars and commented that when it comes to the matters of the heart, Stooshe were "just as sensitive as the rest of us."[17] He added that the finale of the song is "attitude-packed".[17] He had previously included it in the website's "10 tracks you need to hear" playlist and compared it to "The Promise", a song performed by Girls Aloud.[18]

Idolator's reporter wrote that the song is more of a "mournful take on love gone awry than the kind of frisky jam the ladies are known for".[19] While a writer from Shout Mag described the single as "another corker".[20] But a writer from Popjustice branded the song as being "boring".[21] A singles reviewer from the Huddersfield Daily Examiner wrote "Stripped right back to the bones with the Motown hallmark stamped all over it from the all-girl trio. Sure to open up a whole new generation's ears and, hopefully, minds to the vintage glory days."[22] "Black Heart" later appeared on the A-lists at BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Radio 2 and Heart.[23] In August 2012, Stooshe were given a Nielsen Airplay Award, after "Black Heart" surpassed 30,000 plays on UK radio.[24] In December, Robert Copsey and Lewis Corner from Digital Spy named "Black Heart" the second best song of 2012.[25] "Black Heart" earned a nomination for Best British Single from the 2013 BRIT Awards.[26]

Chart performance

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On the Irish Singles Chart, "Black Heart" debuted at number 19 for the week ending 22 June 2012.[27] It rose to number 18 a week later, before rising a further four places to 15 during its third week on the chart.[28][29] The single later rose to a peak of seven.[30] "Black Heart" debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending 30 June 2012, after selling 53,065 copies.[31][32] A week later, it dropped to number eight, but then climbed three places to five.[33][34] Alan Jones of Music Week stated that sales of the single had increased 17.75% week-on-week to 46,431.[35] "Black Heart" later climbed two places to three for the week ending 4 August 2012.[36] "Black Heart" also debuted at number four on the Scottish Singles Chart, before dropping two places.[37][38] The song has sold 456,000 copies in the UK in 2012, the 27th best-selling single of the year.[39] As of November 2016, it has sold 521,000, making it the 10th best-selling song in the UK by a girl group.[40]

Music video

[edit]
The music video for "Black Heart" pays homage to 1960s R&B acts such as The Supremes

Background

[edit]

The accompanying music video, directed by Matt Stawski, was released on 29 April 2012.[5][41] Prior to the full release, Stooshe debuted an unconventional "preview video" of the visual.[21] Stooshe shot the video for "Black Heart" in Los Angeles using cameras "from back in the day."[11][42] Each day of filming was done in twenty-hour shifts and the group drank "energy shots" to help them focus, but Anderson told Copsey and Wotton from Digital Spy that she and the other band members "were all looking at each and cracking up" by the end of the shoot.[11] The group told Ponciano Junior from MOBO that the video to "Black Heart" is "completely different" to the one accompanying their previous single "Love Me".[42]

The setting has a mixture of themes which are similar to those featured in the musicals Dreamgirls, Hairspray, and by girl group The Supremes.[42] The trio sport big hair styles and the same long dresses which are individually coloured. They stand on podiums singing into "old school" microphones. Stooshe also revealed that the visual required "a lot of acting" on their part.[42] A writer for soLondon commented that the video also features large cameras and old fashioned hair-dryers. They added "the video reeks of nostalgia for a time when The Supremes ruled the roost."[15]

Synopsis

[edit]

In the video for "Black Heart", the group perform their song on a staged area for a television recording, before they paint the hearts hanging on the set black.[15] The performance is intercut with a storyline where member Buggs has a love interest in the presenter. She then realises, after many signs, that he is cheating on her with a production assistant. The music video ends with an outfit change, reminiscent of funeral clothes, alongside the now-painted black hearts, and Anderson and Rumbold consoling Buggs.[43]

The soLondon writer said the relationship story made "Black Heart" "not just another vacuous pop video, but something well-crafted and memorable, with great attention to detail."[15]

Reception

[edit]

Shortly after the video was released, it trended on social networking site Twitter.[44] A writer from Idolator said that the video was more "somber" than the "Love Me" video and was "appropriate" for the song. They opined that it was "gorgeously shot in vibrant colours" and a homage to "The Supremes". They concluded that "unlike the no-good man the song’s about, this classy vid's definitely a keeper."[19] 4Music's Nicolle Weeks stated that Stooshe are familiar with "colourful videos rife with hotties". She added that in the "Black Heart" video, "their usual tongue-in-cheek naughtiness takes a back seat to some impressive vocal abilities."[4]

Live performances

[edit]

Stooshe performed "Black Heart" in a cappella for 4Music on 19 April 2012.[45] On 24 May, Stooshe performed the song for the Real Radio group, as part of an exclusive vocal session.[46] Stooshe performed "Black Heart" at the Hackney Academy for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge on 11 June.[47] Three days later, the trio performed an exclusive acoustic of the song for entertainment website Digital Spy. It was recorded at the Red Bull Studios in London.[9] They later performed the track in front of forty fans during a secret gig, exclusive to MUZU TV.[48] They also began touring "Black Heart" on the music festival circuit, starting with Nando's Gignics and later at the Lovebox Festival.[49][50]

Track listing and formats

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Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from "Black Heart" CD single liner notes.[56]

  • Stooshe - vocals
  • Jo Perry – writer, vocal producer
  • Iyiola Babalola – writer
  • Darren Lewis – writer
  • Shaznay Lewis – writer
  • Future Cut – producer
  • Manny Maroquin – mixer

Charts and certifications

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Release history

[edit]
Country Release date Format
Ireland[69] 15 June 2012 Digital download, digital EP
Belgium[70]
United Kingdom[52][54] 17 June 2012
18 June 2012 CD single

Notes

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  1. ^ This song was initially made available via exclusive digital download on Stooshe's official website.
  2. ^ This package consisting of all three versions of the release was initially made available via exclusive purchase on Stooshe's official website.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Smirke, Richard (24 March 2012). Billboard.
  2. ^ a b Mensah, Jenny (17 May 2012). "News: Stooshe Reveal Black Heart Artwork". 4Music. (Box Television). Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b Samadder, Rhik (9 June 2012). "This week's new tracks". The Guardian. (Guardian Media Group). Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Weeks, Nicolle (30 April 2012). "News: Stooshe - Black Heart". 4Music. (Box Television). Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  5. ^ a b Daniels, Colin (29 April 2012). "Stooshe release 'Black Heart' video - watch". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  6. ^ Jay, Andrew. "GT Music - Stooshe". Gay Times. Millivres Prowler Group Ltd. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Black Heart". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
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  10. ^ a b Corner, Lewis (17 February 2012). "StooShe interview: 'We're a collective, not a girl group'". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d Copsey, Robert; Wotton, Jamie (4 May 2012). "Stooshe interview: 'We want Spice Girls success'". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  12. ^ Corner, Lewis (7 May 2012). "Stooshe announce headline shows at London's Proud Cabaret". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  13. ^ a b Corner, Lewis (17 May 2012). "Stooshe debut new single 'Black Heart' artwork, remix - listen". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  14. ^ Longmire, Becca (31 May 2012). "Video: Stooshe Talk Freaky Fans, 'He Licked His Hand And Put It on Me'". Entertainmentwise. (Giant Digital). Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  15. ^ a b c d ""Black Heart" The New Single from Stooshe". soLondon. 30 April 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
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  18. ^ Copsey, Robert; Corner, Lewis (30 April 2012). "Playlist: 10 tracks you need to hear". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 13 June 2012.
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  25. ^ Copsey, Robert; Corner, Lewis (30 December 2012). "20 best singles of 2012 (10 - 1)". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  26. ^ Eames, Tom (10 January 2013). "Brit Awards 2013: Nominations in full". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  27. ^ Corner, Lewis (22 June 2012). "Flo Rida knocks Cheryl Cole off Irish singles number one". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  28. ^ Corner, Lewis (29 June 2012). "Flo Rida continues Irish singles chart reign with 'Whistle'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  29. ^ "Top 50 singles, week ending 5 July 2012". Irish Music Charts Archive. Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  30. ^ Corner, Lewis (20 July 2012). "Florence + the Machine claim first Irish number one single". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  31. ^ Eames, Tom (24 June 2012). "Maroon 5 score first UK No.1 single with 'Payphone'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  32. ^ Jones, Alan (25 June 2012). "Official Charts Analysis: Bieber beats Cheryl to No.1 by 3,181 sales". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  33. ^ Eames, Tom (1 July 2012). "will.i.am wins first solo No.1 with 'This is Love'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  34. ^ Curtis, Beth (8 July 2012). "Maroon 5's 'Payphone' tops UK singles chart for second time". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  35. ^ Jones, Alan (9 July 2012). "Official Charts Analysis: No.1 Chris Brown LP sells 30k units in UK". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  36. ^ Lane, Dan (29 July 2012). "Florence and the Machine hold on to Number 1 single for third week". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  37. ^ "2012 Top 40 Scottish Singles Archive 30th June 2012". Official Charts Company. 24 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  38. ^ "Scottish Singles Top 40 - 7th July 2012". Official Charts Company. 1 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  39. ^ Dan Lane (2 January 2013). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles of 2012 revealed!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  40. ^ Myers, Justin (5 November 2016). "Girlbands vs Boybands – their biggest songs of the century revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  41. ^ "Artists & Derelicts". Artists & Derelicts. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  42. ^ a b c d Junior, Ponciano (29 April 2012). "Stooshe: MOBO TV Interview". MOBO. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  43. ^ Stooshe (29 April 2012). Stooshe | Black Heart (Official Video). Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via YouTube.
  44. ^ "Ones-to-watch Stooshe are back with stylised ballad". 4Music. (Box Television). Archived from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  45. ^ Mensah, Jenny (19 April 2012). "News: First Listen: Stooshe - Black Heart". 4Music. Box Television. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  46. ^ "Stooshe - Live Sessions". Real Radio Yorkshire. (Real Radio). 24 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  47. ^ "Live Lounge - Stooshe". Live Lounge. BBC. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  48. ^ "Listen to lives track from girlband Stooshe". RTÉ.ie. (Raidió Teilifís Éireann). 20 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  49. ^ Leon Kay (producer); James Payne, Phil Wilson (executive producers) (20 June 2012). Nando's Gignics. Series 1. Episode 1. Channel 4.
  50. ^ Butler, Alex (18 June 2012). "Stooshe - Lovebox Festival 2012". Music News. (Publishing Group Limited). Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  51. ^ "Black Heart". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  52. ^ a b "Black Heart (Single, Import)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  53. ^ "Black Heart (Exclusive DEVOlution Club Mix)". Stooshe Store. (Warner Music Group). Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  54. ^ a b "Black Heart (Remixes) - EP". iTunes. (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  55. ^ "Exclusive 'Black Heart' Single Bundle". Stooshe Store. (Warner Music Group). Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  56. ^ Black Heart (Compact Disc liner notes). Stooshe. Warner Music UK. 2012. 5053105305124.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  66. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2012" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
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  69. ^ "Black Heart (Remixes) - EP". iTunes ie. (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  70. ^ "Black Heart (Remixes) - EP". Belgium iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
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