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Tongues and Tails

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Tongues and Tails
Studio album by
Sophie B. Hawkins
ReleasedApril 21, 1992
RecordedJuly 1991 – February 1992
Length52:23
LabelColumbia
Producer
Sophie B. Hawkins chronology
Tongues and Tails
(1992) 		Whaler
(1994)
Singles from Tongues and Tails
  1. "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover"
    Released: 31 March 1992
  2. "California Here I Come"
    Released: July 1992
  3. "I Want You"
    Released: October 1992

Tongues and Tails is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins, released in 1992 on Columbia records. It was produced by Rick Chertoff and Ralph Schuckett.[1][2]

The album contains ten original tracks, including "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" and "California Here I Come", and a cover of Bob Dylan's "I Want You"; in Rolling Stone, Paul Evans described the style of her version as "breathy techno-MOR".[3]

The album, which sold over 850,000 units worldwide,[4] was a commercial and critical success.[5] It was awarded "Best Pop Album" and "Best Debut Album by a Solo Artist" at the 1992 New York Music Awards,[6] and earned Hawkins a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 1993.[7]

Background

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Hawkins recorded her debut album, Tongues and Tails, after signing a contract with Columbia Records, who had liked a demo tape she circulated to various labels. She was enthusiastic about her relationship with the label, telling Billboard in 1992, "Once it sunk into my brain that I got this deal because [Columbia] believed in me and my music, I was able to dig into making this album without any inhibitions."[8]

Singles

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The lead single, "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover", preceded the album and was released in the US on March 31, 1992.[8] It achieved success in many countries worldwide; in the United States, it reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100.[5] The second single, "California Here I Come", was released in July 1992.[9] It failed to appear on any Billboard charts, but did peak at number 79 on the US Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles chart.[10] "I Want You" was issued as the third and final single in October 1992, but was not a chart success.[11] It did, however, reach number 49 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1993.[12]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Robert Christgau(dud)[14]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[15]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[16]
The Indianapolis Star[17]
Los Angeles Times[18]
Orlando Sentinel[19]
Q (1992)
(1994)[20]
Rolling Stone[21]
Slant Magazine[22]

Billboard believed that Tongues and Tails "distinguishes itself from the femme-fronted confessional genre by contrasting sensitive lyrics with insinuating pop grooves, '70s soul stylings, and African-tribal percussion". They added that Hawkins "reveals a unique voice and charisma that's well worth the attention."[23] Kent Zimmerman of Gavin Report described the album as "one of this year's prime releases". He noted how Hawkins has "carved a personality niche right alongside her textured and keyboard-drive recordings", which "emphasizes sex and affection during dangerous times".[24] The Indianapolis Star stated that "Hawkins' music ranges from churchlike keyboards to what should be instant favorites on the dance floor—sort of an early Springsteen to current Madonna."[17]

Track listing

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All tracks written by Sophie B. Hawkins, except "I Want You," written by Bob Dylan.

  1. "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" – 5:23
  2. "California Here I Come" – 4:38
  3. "Mysteries We Understand" – 4:40
  4. "Savior Child" – 4:45
  5. "Carry Me" – 4:36
  6. "I Want You" – 5:19
  7. "Before I Walk on Fire" – 4:58
  8. "We Are One Body" – 4:49
  9. "Listen" – 3:31
  10. "Live and Let Love" – 4:13
  11. "Don't Stop Swaying" – 5:31

Personnel

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Technical personnel

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  • Studio: Messina Music
  • Producers: Rick Chertoff, Ralph Schuckett
  • Engineers: John Agnello, Steve Churchyard, Stewart Lerman, Martin Brass
  • Assistant engineers: Ted Trewhella, Michael White
  • Mixing: Steve Churchyard, David Leonard
  • Mastering: George Marino
  • Art direction: Christopher Austopchuk, Nicky Lindeman
  • Paintings: Sophie B. Hawkins

Charts

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Chart performance for Tongues and Tails
Chart (1992) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[25] 38
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[26] 20
European Top 100 Albums (Music & Media)[27] 54
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[28] 34
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[29] 13
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[30] 38
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[31] 15
UK Albums (OCC)[32] 46
US Billboard 200[33] 51
US Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums[34] 32

Notes

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  1. ^ Flick, Larry (October 10, 1992). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 78. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  2. ^ Gettelman, Parry (May 22, 1992). "Sophie B. Hawkins". Orlando Sentinel. p. C8.
  3. ^ "Rollin' & tumblin'". Rolling Stone. August 11, 1994. p. 70.
  4. ^ "Sophie B. Hawkins - Whaler advertisement". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 32. Billboard Publications, Inc. August 6, 1994. p. 1. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. ^ a b Deming, Mark. "Sophie B. Hawkins - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  6. ^ Applefeld, Catherine (October 24, 1992). "Hawkins gets her wish at N.Y. Awards". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 43. Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 19. ISSN 0006-2510.
  7. ^ "35th Annual GRAMMY Awards". Grammy Awards. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Flick, Larry (April 4, 1992). "Bigger & better prospects for Sophie Hawkins". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 14. Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 13. ISSN 0006-2510.
  9. ^ Rufer, Diane; Fell, Ron (July 24, 1992). "Reviews". Gavin Report. No. 1915. p. 28. OCLC 34039542.
  10. ^ Downey, Pat; Albert, George; Hoffman, Frank (1994). Cash Box Pop Singles Charts, 1950-1993. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc. p. 152. ISBN 1563083167. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "I Want You – Sophie B. Hawkins – The new single...". Radio & Records. No. 961. Radio & Records, Inc. October 2, 1992. p. 91. ISSN 0277-4860.
  12. ^ "Sophie B. Hawkins - Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Tongues and Tails at AllMusic
  14. ^ "Sophie B. Hawkins". Robert Christgau. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  15. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press.
  16. ^ "Protected Blog › Log in". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 27, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  17. ^ a b Wolf, Judy (May 8, 1992). "Sophie B. Hawkins Tongues and Tails". The Indianapolis Star. p. C12.
  18. ^ "*** SOPHIE B. HAWKINS "Tongues and Tails" Columbia". Los Angeles Times. April 19, 1992. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  19. ^ Gettelman, Parry (May 22, 1992). "Sophie B. Hawkins". Orlando Sentinel.
  20. ^ "Sophie B Hawkins - Tongues & Tails CD Album". www.cduniverse.com.
  21. ^ Rolling Stone review
  22. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (October 26, 2003). "Review: Sophie B. Hawkins, Tongues & Tails". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  23. ^ "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 15. Billboard Publications, Inc. April 11, 1992. p. 43. ISSN 0006-2510.
  24. ^ Zimmerman, Kent (April 17, 1992). "Album: New Releases". Gavin Report. No. 1901. p. 40. OCLC 34039542.
  25. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Sophie B. Hawkins – Tongues and Tails". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  26. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 2023". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  27. ^ "European Top 100 Albums". Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 39. September 26, 1992. p. 17. OCLC 29800226.
  28. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Sophie B. Hawkins – Tongues and Tails" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  29. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Sophie B. Hawkins – Tongues and Tails". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  30. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Sophie B. Hawkins – Tongues and Tails". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  31. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Sophie B. Hawkins – Tongues and Tails". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  32. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  33. ^ "Sophie B Hawkins Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  34. ^ "Top 200 Pop Albums". Cash Box. Vol. 55, no. 47. July 18, 1992. p. 15. ISSN 0008-7289.
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