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The Heart of the Matter (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'The Heart of the Matter'" is a song recorded by American rock singer Don Henley from his third solo studio album, 'The End of the Innocence' (1989). Written by Henley, Mike Campbell, and J. D. Souther and produced by Henley, Campbell, and Danny Kortchmar, the song was released as the album's third single, reaching No. 21 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks in early 1990.
The shorter radio edit version omits the "I'm learning to live without you now, but I miss you baby" lyric and skips directly to "I've been trying to get down to the heart of the matter".
In 1994 Henley, along with the Eagles, played an acoustic version of the song at their reunion concert; the performance was omitted from the 'Hell Freezes Over' live CD, but was included in the concert DVD.
The song was covered by American soul singer India.Arie in 2006 on her third studio album, 'Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship'. Her version of the song is used in the second episode of 'Brothers & Sisters', entitled "An Act of Will", and in the theatrical trailer for the 2008 film adaptation of 'Sex and the City'. It is also played briefly in a scene of the film.
Stage and television actress Megan Hilty recorded a cover on her 2013 debut solo album 'It Happens All the Time'.
Canadian singer Nikki Yanofsky recorded a live acoustic cover for her 2010 DVD 'Live in Montreal'.
Composition
In a November 2003 interview with 'Songfacts', Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist and songwriter Mike Campbell explained the song's origins:
Personnel
* Don Henley lead vocals
* Mike Campbell keyboards, guitars
* Larry Klein bass
* Stan Lynch drums, percussion
* Carmen Twillie backing vocals
* Julia Waters backing vocals
* Maxine Waters backing vocals
Charts
Don Henley version
;Weekly charts{| class="wikitable"
!align="center"|Chart (1990)
!align="center"|Peak
position
|-
|align="left"|U.S. 'Billboard' 'Billboard' Hot 100
|align="center"|21
|-
|align="left"|U.S. 'Billboard' Mainstream Rock Tracks
|align="center"|2
|-
|align="left"|U.S. 'Billboard' Adult Contemporary
|align="center"|3
|-
|align="left"|Canada Top Singles ('RPM')
|align="center"|7
|}
;Year-end charts
India.Arie version
References
Category:1980s ballads
Category:1989 songs
Category:1990 singles
Category:2006 singles
Category:Don Henley songs
Category:Geffen Records singles
Category:India Arie songs
Category:Motown singles
Category:Rock ballads
Category:Songs written for films
Category:Songs written by Don Henley
Category:Songs written by J. D. Souther
Category:Songs written by Mike Campbell (musician)
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