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It’s a Heartache
A classic song. It’s a heart ache
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1 Reply
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It’s a Heartache” was a very popular song from the eighties.
Summary of “It’s a Heartache”
It’s a Heartache is one of the most impactful pop and soft rock songs of its era, written by Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe. Welsh artist Bonnie Tyler was the first to record the song in 1977, and it instantly became a hit, selling roughly six million copies and dominating the charts in Australia, Canada, and various European countries. It peaked at three in the US and four in the UK. The song’s heart-wrenching lyrics and a catchy melody portray a sense of unrequited love, best exemplified by the lines, “It’s a heartache, nothing but a heartache / Hits you when it’s too late, hits you when you’re down.” Its enduring appeal has made it a popular choice for covers by countless artists.
Shortly after undergoing throat surgery in 1976 to remove vocal nodules, Bonnie recorded the song at The Factory Sound in Surrey, England. The surgery gave her voice a distinctively husky tone that critics likened to Rod Stewart’s raspy vocals, earning her the title “female Rod Stewart.” The song’s production and the emotional texture of her unique vocals, shaped by the song’s producer David Mackay, enhanced the song’s commercial appeal.
Rod Stewart’s Take on “It’s a Heartache”
One of Britain’s pop and rock stars, Rod Stewart, incorporated “It’s a Heartache” into his 2006 album Still the Same… Great Rock Classics of Our Time. On October 10, 2006, the album featured Stewart’s renditions of various classic rock songs and the famous track “It’s a Heartache.”
How Did Rod Stewart Perform the Song
Stewart did not stray too far from the original emotional essence of “It’s a Heartache.” Still, he managed to add his flair to it. Here’s a summary of his performance:
Vocal Delivery:
Stewart’s voice is perhaps one of the raspiest out there. This is one of the reasons why he has been such a successful figure in the music industry. Lately, he has been getting more recognition because of the song’s melancholic tone. He also has a unique, soulful touch that amplifies the feeling of remorse that stems from the lyrics. Unlike Bonnie Tyler’s rendition, which has a slightly rawer edge due to her post-surgery vocal texture, Stewart’s rendition is polished yet emotionally resonant, reflecting his decades of experience as a seasoned performer.
Arrangement and Production:
Stewart’s rendition, part of his album Still the Same… Great Rock Classics of Our Time explores a softer rock feel that is more polished than other works on the album.
It includes a lush instrumental setting with a string section led by Shari Zippert and John Wittenberg and a pulsing rhythm section to accentuate the song’s drama further. Given the production’s choice not to overly modernize the track, its classic rock essence remains intact. It was polished enough for audiences in 2006.
Emotional Interpretation: Stewart’s delivery underscores the song’s narrative of love and loss. Phrases such as “It isn’t wise to need someone as much as I depended on you” give him a weary yet contemplative tone, suggesting he draws from personal encounters. A review dated in 2018 praised Stewart’s talent, stating how he could “yowl forth” the song’s anguish and pain, which he did even at 73 during a live show.
Live Performance Context:
A sit-in during the 2018 BBC Radio 2 show, where he performed “It’s a Heartache” with Michael Bublé, stands out. Stewart brought his signature vigor during the performance, which made the delivery lively. Stewart upheld the song’s energy while joking with Bublé, who playfully confessed that he didn’t know the song very well. The review emphasized his charm while inhaling and exhaling life into what they called this “old warhorse.”
Changes from Bonnie Tyler’s Original Version
While Bonnie Tyler’s cut features her signature vocal grit alongside a country-leaning pop style, Stewart’s cover reflects his 2000s pop-rock leanings with a smoother, more polished finish. Her vocal struggles during that era heightened Tyler’s Version’s urgency and raw emotion. Stewart’s renditions feel more reflective and controlled because his romantic crooner persona was established before this release. As with many singer/songwriter versions, Stewart applies gendered alterations (e.g., “Love *her* till your arms break” as opposed to “Love him”), bringing the song into his narrative frame.
Reception and Impact
Although Stewart’s cover did not chart like Tyler’s original, it received acclaim as part of the same album, which focused on reinterpretations of rock classics. Stewart’s vision included tracks from Spotify and Apple Music, which were later released as karaoke backing tracks, reflecting his confidence in them. Splice Today reviewed his vibrant performance, marking the song’s emotional universality and simple yet grand chorus. “It is simple and easy to sing, and Rod sang it so well right from the start, you just got drawn into the emotion.”
Availability
Rod Stewart’s “It’s a Heartache” is available on:
- Still the Same… Great Rock Classics of Our Time* (2006).
- Available on Spotify and Apple Music.
- Karaoke Version.
- Various uploads on YouTube from fans and the official channels
Wider Significance of the Song
Among the artists who have recorded it, “It’s a Heartache” was covered by Juice Newton, Ronnie Spector, Trick Pony, and Dave & Sugar. This broad appeal stems from its incorporation of pop, country, and soft rock. Its catchy construction and accessible lyrics have made it a staple in karaoke venues. Stylistically, Stewart’s version is unique because of the polish given to the production, his unmistakable voice, and the methodical way he drives home the song’s enduring status as a quintessential heartbreak anthem.
Stewart’s rendition, included in the 2006 cover album “It’s a Heartache,” brought iconic rasp to the song and Stewart’s boundless charisma. Bonnie Tyler popularized the ballad. Stewart’s take on the song is featured in Still the Same… Great Rock Classics of Our Time is a smooth, contemplative spin to its themes of love, loss, and regret through rich instrumentation.
For those who follow Stewart or the song, his rendition is moving and easy to listen to, and it is available on all major music platforms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LONrti4Qxf8
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This reply was modified 2 weeks, 3 days ago by
Sapna Sharma.
