Matters of the Heart
Studio album by
Tracy Chapman
ReleasedApril 28, 1992
Length43:34
LabelElektra
Producer
Tracy Chapman chronology
Crossroads
(1989) 		Matters of the Heart
(1992) 		New Beginning
(1995)
Singles from Matters of the Heart
  1. "Bang Bang Bang"
  2. "Dreaming on a World"
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Calgary HeraldC[2]
Entertainment WeeklyC[3]
NME3/10[4]
Orlando Sentinel[5]
Rolling Stone[6]
The Village Voice(choice cut)[7]

Matters of the Heart is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released on April 28, 1992, by Elektra Records. It was her first not to be produced or co-produced by David Kershenbaum.

Track listing

All songs written by Tracy Chapman.

  1. "Bang Bang Bang" – 4:21
  2. "So" – 3:26
  3. "I Used to Be a Sailor" – 3:56
  4. "The Love That You Had" – 4:11
  5. "Woman's Work" – 2:01
  6. "If These Are the Things" – 4:40
  7. "Short Supply" (Jigten; For Richmond) – 4:23
  8. "Dreaming on a World" – 5:03
  9. "Open Arms" – 4:34
  10. "Matters of the Heart" – 6:59

Overview

Critical reception

Matters of the Heart received generally mixed reviews from music critics.

Musical style

The record marked a notable switch in sound from Chapman's earlier works. AllMusic labeled it as "less bold and angry" than her preceding record,[8] and Israbox took note of the "subtle elements of world music, blues, and jazz" included in the record.[9]

Personnel

Musicians

Production

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[20] Gold 35,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[21] Gold 25,000^
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Parisien, Roch. Matters of the Heart at AllMusic
  2. ^ Obee, Dave (May 3, 1992). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
  3. ^ Browne, David (May 1, 1992). "Matters of the Heart". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  4. ^ Maconie, Stuart (May 16, 1992). "Long Play". New Musical Express. p. 32.
  5. ^ Gettelman, Parry (June 5, 1992). "Tracy Chapman". Orlando Sentinel.
  6. ^ "Rolling Stone review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008.
  7. ^ Christgau, Robert (April 21, 1992). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  8. ^ "Matters of the Heart - Tracy Chapman | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  9. ^ "Tracy Chapman - Matters Of The Heart (1992)". www.israbox.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2009.
  10. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  11. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  12. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  13. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Charts.nz – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  16. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  17. ^ "Tracy Chapman | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  18. ^ "Tracy Chapman Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  19. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  20. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 54.
  21. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Matters of the Heart')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  22. ^ "American album certifications – Tracy Chapman – Matters of the Heart". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
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