Corey Hart
The hit single "Sunglasses at Night" propelled Canadian pop star
Corey Hart to the top of the charts and helped his debut album,
1983's First Offense, become a major hit in the United States and
Canada. Born in Montreal on May 31, 1962, he traveled frequently as
a child, living in the Bahamas with his father, but primarily
following his mother through Mexico, Spain, and Florida, among
other places. His early efforts to sign with Canadian record
companies were fruitless; he then went to New York, worked for a
while, and returned to Canada, eventually signing a contract with
Aquarius Records. His cool, athletic good looks made it easy to
promote him as a post-teen sex symbol, but while his songwriting
never managed to get very deep, he sang with a passion that made
his songs appealing. Boy in the Box, the 1985 follow-up to his
debut, produced a hit single with "Never Surrender," which would
remain his highest-charting song. His next album, Fields of Fire,
met with some commercial success, but after that, his fortunes
began to wane in the United States. His next two albums garnered
little attention and 1990's Bang was his last with Aquarius. 1992's
Attitude and Virtue was his first album with Sire/Warner, before he
joined Columbia and released a self-titled album in 1996 and 1998's
Jade, which Hart describes as his best-sung album to date. He
continues to write songs and lives in the Bahamas with his wife and
three daughters. ~ Stacia Proefrock Similar artists
Albums
14
albums sorted by Most acclaimed
$10.49
Pop - Released January 1, 1984 | CAPITOL CATALOG MKT (C92)
Corey Hart's debut album encompasses much of the '80s pop sound, namely with "Sunglasses at Night," an instant classic with its distinctive melody and catchy chorus. Often considered a one-hit wonder, Hart was a staple act in regular rotation on radio and MTV throughout the '80s with nine Top 40 Billboard hits and over ten million records sold. Many say 1984 was the pinnacle for '80s music, and for Hart this release came to define his sound. With a distinctive Canadian accent he stood out even with what was sometimes indistinguishable music. All the cliched '80s sounds are here in full force, from the brooding saxophone, the bratty guitar solo, the snotty background vocalists, and the catchy keyboard riffs. Hart, though, is obviously impassioned about the part that he plays. Constantly striving to raise many of his lyrics above the meter, he can come across as clumsy when he tries too hard. Where Hart succeeds is when he allows the hooks to catch. The tragic lovelorn stadium ballad appears with "It Ain't Enough," another early Hart hit that easily served its use for long distance dedication on soft rock radio during the '80s, an avenue he again repeats on "Jenny Fey" but falls flat. Time and time again Hart's voice is what saves him from mediocrity as in the cool way he says "no, no, no, no, no, no" on "Does She Love You." The dated "She Got the Radio" still retains its charm and humor and wouldn't be out of place on some quirky mixtape. The rest of the songs may fit into the typecast Corey Hart sound, but this release serves as a classic reminder of the fresh-faced voice from Canada that dominated the airwaves. For you '80s aficionados, this is one to own. Weird fact: Eric Clapton plays Dobro on the album. ~ Simon Cantlon
$7.49
Rock - Released January 1, 1992 | Capitol Records
All of Hart's early MTV hits on one disc. What more could you ask for? ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
$12.99
Pop - Released October 26, 2018 | Rhino - Warner Bros.
While Hart's written some decent songs for Attitude, inspired by months of world travel, the production reduces the project to pure drivel. Hart's limited vocals are right up front, bare naked, warts and all. At best, the instrumental backing is flat and lifeless. The miserably cliched ballads "Always" and "Baby When I Call Your Name," and the ersatz reggae of "Love and Money" are much worse. Guest vocals by Terrence Trent d'Arby and Jane Siberry are wasted on the sessions. ~ Roch Parisien
$1.99
$1.49
Ambient/New Age - Released November 29, 2018 | Warner Music Canada
Hi-Res
$7.49
$6.49
Pop - To be released May 3, 2019 | Warner Music Canada
Hi-Res
$1.49
Ambient/New Age - Released November 29, 2018 | Warner Music Canada
$6.49
Pop - To be released May 3, 2019 | Warner Music Canada
$10.49
Rock - Released March 22, 1990 | CAPITOL CATALOG MKT (C92)
This 1990 bid for chart-faring hits definitely strives for success, and at times it succeeds. The patented Corey Hart vocals are here, along with catchy material on such fare as "Bang! (Starting Over)" and "A Little Love," with a chorus that will soon have you singing, "a little love will make your heart go bang-bang." Any number of these songs should've done well on Top 40 radio in 1990, but, alas, not even one made a bump on the U.S. charts. Hart works a soulful sound onto "Rain on Me," gets sensual with "Slowburn," and unknowingly creates a sultry homoerotic pleaser on "Diamond Cowboy," complete with an ailing harmonica solo. Much like when John Mellencamp poked fun at himself with "Pop Singer," Hart plays the same hand with "Icon," singing, "I love to be an icon, super strong, obnoxious little moron," with more than a hint of a wink. Often written off as hack product, it's obvious that Hart is sincere even when creating the lighter-flickering concert song "Chase the Sun," but he should have avoided letting "Can't Stand Losin' You" and "Kisses on the Train" be included on this release. The closer and ultimate letdown, "Ballade for Nien Cheng," where Hart lets his politics speak, just doesn't fit. While this isn't an essential release, fans of Hart will enjoy this as an occasional listen. ~ Simon Cantlon
$10.49
Rock - Released June 18, 1986 | CAPITOL CATALOG MKT (C92)
$10.49
Pop - Released August 24, 1988 | CAPITOL CATALOG MKT (C92)
Corey Hart's first two albums each had a hit single on them. Young Man Running was released in 1989 and it was his fifth record overall and third since the success of "Never Surrender." For an album that had disappointing sales and subsequently got Corey Hart dropped from EMI, Young Man Running is a surprisingly pleasant listen. The 11 originals all have a distinct sound, and relative upbeat feel. Stylistically, Hart experiments with sounds of reggae, rock, throwing in a little Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band for good measure. Fans of Eddie and the Cruisers will like "In Your Soul." Fans of Hart's previous hits will also like "Truth Will Set You Free" and "Chase the Sun." Overall Young Man Running is a good used find, and, though not filled with undiscovered hits, is an enjoyable listen. ~ JT Griffith
$1.49
Ambient/New Age - Released January 16, 2019 | Warner Music Canada
$12.99
Pop - Released April 5, 2014 | Corey Hart Productions
