Black Heart

Black Heart
Information
Released	15 June 2012
Recorded	2011
Genre	R&B, Soul, Pop
Producers	Future Cut
Label	Warners

"Black Heart" is a song by British girl group Stooshe, taken from their debut album London With The Lights On. 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.

The song peaked at number 3 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's highest charting position to date. It has sold over 800,000 copies in the UK, becoming certified Platinum.

Group member Courtney Rumbold revealed the song showcases Stooshe's different range, tones and styles. 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". It's B-side track is "Things That Make You Go Mmm...".

Meaning

The lyrics to "Black Heart" talk of the issues of being in a relationship with a cheating lover. Alex has said that "Black Heart is about falling in love with a guy or girl who is no good for you, you're so deeply in love with them that you can't seem to get out of the relationship, whether it be they've cheated on you, you're not compatible, you haven't got the same personalities, nothing in common; and you're trying to explain that to your Mom and Dad but they don't seem to get it".

Critical Reception & Music Video

Critical reception of the song has been overwhelmingly positive. Rhik Samadder from The Guardian called "Black Heart" an "homage to 60s girl group melodrama", while 4Music's Nicolle Weeks branded it "a classic tune to swoon to".

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.

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Courtney]
I don't like it when you break me honey
Why'd you have to do that?
Tell me, when you make these tears keep falling
Do you feel like a man?

[Pre-Chorus: Alex, Courtney]
Figure, figure there's no working you out whatsoever (Yeah)
Only one way I can sum you up altogether
You got a black heart

[Chorus: All (Courtney Lead), Courtney]
Daddy I've fallen for a monster
Somehow he's scaring me to death (Oh, yes he is)
He's big and he's bad
I love him like mad
Momma, he's the best I ever had
Daddy I've fallen for a monster
He got a black heart

[Verse 2: Karis, Karis & Alex]
No walls to build around me honey
Cause you blew my house down
Sticks and stones won't put it back up for me
And that's where we're at now

[Pre-Chorus: Alex, Courtney]
Uh, sicker, sicker, I ain't feeling your mouth whatsoever (Yeah)
Naming hurts me more than weight thrown around but whatever
You got a black heart

[Chorus: All (Karis Lead), Karis]
Daddy I've fallen for a monster (Yeah)
Somehow he's scaring me to death (Uh, yes he is)
He's big and he's bad
I love him like mad
Momma, he's the best I ever had (Best I ever had)
Daddy I've fallen for a monster
He got a black heart

[Bridge: Alex, Karis]
Daddy I've fallen for a monster, uh-huh
And somehow he's scaring me to death, yeah

[Chorus: Alex & Karis, Courtney, All]
He's big and he's bad (Big and he's bad)
I love him like mad (Love him like mad)
Momma, he's the best I ever had (Oh, yes he is)
Daddy I've fallen for a monster
He got a black heart

[Outro: Alex, Courtney & Karis, Karis]
He got a black heart
He got such a dirty black heart in him
Ain't it girls?! (Yeah)
I love him like mad
Uh, yes I do
He got a black heart