It's a Heartache

Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe, who were Tyler's managers, wrote this song. The team wrote and produced many of her songs in the '70s, including 5 of the cuts on the It's a Heartache album.

Tyler released this song in November, 1977 on RCA 5057. The Country singer Juice Newton came out with her version on Capitol 4552 in April, 1978; her version only reached #86, though it went gold in Mexico. Around this same time, Ronnie Spector (of the Ronettes) also recorded the song but her version went nowhere. Tyler's version proved the most successful, reaching #1 in Canada, France, Sweden, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil.

Other artists who have covered this song include Dave & Sugar, Lorrie Morgan, Gene Pitney, Rod Stewart, and Trick Pony. (thanks, Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for above 2)

When a singer has throat problems severe enough to require surgery, the procedure can often be career threatening. In the case of Bonnie Tyler, however, the nodules that she developed singing in nightclubs in her native Wales turned out to be career making. After her 1976 operation, Tyler's voice carried a distinctive rasp somewhat reminiscent of Rod Stewart's, and helped propel this song into the #3 spot. (thanks, Rob - Rothesay, NB, Canada)