Peak
74
Weeks
6
Score
292
Chart Year
1986
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This was Feargal Sharkey's only UK #1. It was produced by Dave Stewart from The Eurythmics. Sharkey was an Ulsterman who was lead vocalist of the Irish punk band The Undertones. After recording three solo albums, he gave up music and by 1993 had established himself as A&R Manager for Polydor Records. He continued to work in this side of the industry, and in 1998 was appointed a member of the Radio Authority. He went on to become the British government's live music adviser. This was the opening track on Feargal Sharkey's self-titled debut album. Maria McKee, who was then the vocalist of Lone Justice, wrote this song. It is about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, with whom she had recently ended a relationship (Tom Petty and Mike Campbell had written one of Lone Justice's biggest hits, "Ways to Be Wicked"). The second track on the album was an answer record, "You Little Thief," penned by Benmont as a reply. Feargal Sharkey released it as his follow-up to "A Good Heart" and again it was an UK hit, peaking at #5. Feargal Sharkey, who was friends with both parties, is probably the only artist to have recorded an answer record in response to a call song of his own. This was possibly because having recorded "A Good Heart" which was about Maria McKee's version of their split, and having a hit with it, he didn't want to show any favoritism so he then recorded Benmont's response!
I hear a lot of stories, I suppose they could be true All about love and what it can do for you High is the risk of striking out, the risk of getting hurt And still I have so much to learn Well I know 'cause I think about it all the time I know that real love is hard to find And a good heart these days is hard to find True love, the lasting kind A good heart these days is hard to find So please be gentle with this heart of mine My expectations may be high, I blame it on my youth Soon enough I'll learn the painful truth I'll face it like a fighter then boast how I've grown Anything is better than being alone Well I know 'cause I learn a little every day I know 'cause I listen when the experts say that That a good heart these days is hard to find True love, the lasting kind A good heart these days is hard to find So please be gentle with this heart of mine As I reflect on all my childhood dreams My ideas of love weren't as foolish as they seemed If I don't start looking now I'll be left behind And a good heart these days, it's hard to find I know, it's a dream I'm willing to defend I know it will be worth it in the end A good heart these days is hard to find True love, the lasting kind A good heart these days is hard to find So please be gentle with this heart of mine A good heart these days is hard to find True love, the lasting kind A good heart these days is hard to find So please be gentle with this heart With this heart of mine I find it hard (baby, baby) I find it hard I find it hard I find it hard I find it hard (baby, baby) I find it hard I find it hard
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 15, 1986 | 94 | 32 |
| 2 | Mar 22, 1986 | 86 | 40 |
| 3 | Mar 29, 1986 | 81 | 45 |
| 4 | Apr 5, 1986 | 74 | 52 |
| 5 | Apr 12, 1986 | 74 | 52 |
| 6 | Apr 19, 1986 | 82 | 44 |