Tongues and Tails
Template:Use mdy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |{{#if: April 21, 1992 | Template:Short description}}}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Whaler1994AlbumTongues and TailsSophie B. Hawkins - Tongues and Tails.jpgSophie B. HawkinsApril 21, 1992July 1991 – February 199252:23ColumbiaTemplate:Hlistx|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}}
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.<ref name="CBOX">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="GETTELMAN">Template:Cite news</ref>
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".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The album, which sold over 850,000 units worldwide,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> was a commercial and critical success.<ref name="AllMusic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was awarded "Best Pop Album" and "Best Debut Album by a Solo Artist" at the 1992 New York Music Awards,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and earned Hawkins a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 1993.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Background
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."<ref name="Billboard">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Singles
The lead single, "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover", preceded the album and was released in the US on March 31, 1992.<ref name="Billboard"/> It achieved success in many countries worldwide; in the United States, it reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100.<ref name="AllMusic"/> The second single, "California Here I Come", was released in July 1992.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It failed to appear on any Billboard charts, but did peak at number 79 on the US Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles chart.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> "I Want You" was issued as the third and final single in October 1992, but was not a chart success.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It did, however, reach number 49 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1993.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Critical reception
Template:Album ratings 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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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."<ref name=IS/>
Track listing
All tracks written by Sophie B. Hawkins, except "I Want You," written by Bob Dylan.
- "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" – 5:23
- "California Here I Come" – 4:38
- "Mysteries We Understand" – 4:40
- "Savior Child" – 4:45
- "Carry Me" – 4:36
- "I Want You" – 5:19
- "Before I Walk on Fire" – 4:58
- "We Are One Body" – 4:49
- "Listen" – 3:31
- "Live and Let Love" – 4:13
- "Don't Stop Swaying" – 5:31
Personnel
- Sophie B. Hawkins – keyboards, vocals
- Eric Bazilian – guitar
- Café – percussion
- Mino Cinelu – percussion
- Rick DiFonzo – guitar
- Mark Egan – bass
- Roger Greenawalt – twelve-string guitar
- Omar Hakim – drums
- Gary Lucas – guitar
- Sammy Merendino – rhythm, rhythm collage
- Ralph Schuckett – keyboards
- Peter Wood – synthesizer
- Frederick Zlotkin – cello
Technical personnel
- 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
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| European Top 100 Albums (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 54 |
| US Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | 32 |