Heart Like a Wheel (The Human League song)

For other uses, see Heart Like a Wheel (disambiguation).

"Heart Like a Wheel"
Single by The Human League
from the album Romantic?
B-side	"Rebound"
Released	6 August 1990
Recorded	1990
Studio	Genetic Sound (Streatley, Berkshire)
Length	4:30
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Jo Callis Eugene Reynolds
Producer(s)	Martin Rushent
The Human League singles chronology
"Love Is All That Matters" (1986) "Heart Like a Wheel" (1990) "Soundtrack to a Generation" (1990)
Audio sample
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Music video
"Heart Like a Wheel" on YouTube

"Heart Like a Wheel" is a song by English synth-pop band The Human League. It was the first single to be taken from the Romantic? album (1990), and was written by former band member Jo Callis with Eugene Reynolds (of the Rezillos) and features vocals by Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley; with synthesizer by Neil Sutton. Recorded at Genetic Sound during 1990, it was produced by Martin Rushent who was reconciled with the band after a seven-year gap.^{[citation needed]}

Released in the UK in August 1990, "Heart Like a Wheel" reached number 29 in the UK, number 32 in the US, and number 64 in Australia.^[1]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan.^[2]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Gary Crossing of Record Mirror noted that The Human League are "back on form with this radio friendly four minutes". He added, "Based around a sing-along barbed chorus, this thunders along until it reaches the hole in the middle, whisking you back to the days of 'Mirror Man'."^[3]

Track listing

• CD 1 1990, Virgin (VSCDT 1262)

1. "Heart Like a Wheel" – 4:30
2. "Heart Like a Wheel" (Extended Mix) – 6:55
3. "Rebound" – 3:58
4. "Heart Like a Wheel" (Remix) – 4:37

• CD 2 1990, Virgin (VSCDX 1262)

1. "Heart Like a Wheel" – 4:30
2. "Heart Like a Wheel" (Extended Mix) – 6:55
3. "Rebound" – 3:58
4. "A Doorway" (Dub Mix) – 4:29

Charts

Chart (1990)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA Charts)[4]	64
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[5]	78
UK Singles (OCC)[6]	29
US Billboard Hot 100[7]	32
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[8]	17
West Germany (Official German Charts)[9]	36

References

1. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
2. "the Human League – "Heart like a wheel"". MVDBase.com (video). ASG. 1998–2017. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
3. Crossing, Gary (11 August 1990). "Singles". Record Mirror. p. 14. ISSN 0144-5804.
4. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 133.
5. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 September 1990. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
6. "The Human League: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
7. "The Human League Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
8. "The Human League Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
9. "THE HUMAN LEAGUE – HEART LIKE A WHEEL". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 22 June 2021.