Brigade Songs Ranked
Brigade is the tenth studio album by American rock band Heart, released on March 26, 1990, by Capitol Records. The album reached number three on both the US Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart, while peaking at number two in Canada, Finland, and Sweden. The album’s lead single, “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You”, reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent singles “I Didn’t Want to Need You” and “Stranded” peaked at numbers 23 and 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively; “Secret”, the fourth and final single, charted at number 64. Two album tracks, “Wild Child” and “Tall Dark Handsome Stranger”, reached numbers three and 24 on Billboard‘s Album Rock Tracks chart, respectively. The album was followed by a successful world tour. Like its 1987 predecessor Bad Animals, Brigade is notable for having fewer writing contributions from lead members Ann and Nancy Wilson, but would be the last of Heart’s albums to prominently feature outside writers.
Reminisce the music of Heart. Click below and listen to the songs of this iconic female duo.
10. Cruel Nights
“Cruel Nights”, which has a backbeat like the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” is another Diane Warren composition. The title nights are equal to “missing you nights”, “what do I do nights.” Without that wall of sound, Laura Branigan could’ve done this, as she too benefitted from Ms. Warren’s magical pen.”
9. I Love You
“The Holly Knight-co-penned ,”I Love You” is a kind of goodnight keyboard synth lullaby after the barn-burning from the rest of the album. Producer Richie Zito should be credited for giving Heart a swift kick back into the rock zone after the excesses of Bad Animals.”
8. I Want Your World to Turn
“This album is the first Heart album to have Nancy Wilson sing lead on more than one song. Great power ballad here. “I Want Your World To Turn,” co-written by T. Kelly and B. Steinberg (“Alone” from Bad Animals) and its keyboards (not excessive) that makes a welcome change. Nancy’s sweeter vocals and the catchy hooks in the chorus did it for me.”
See more: Heart Albums Ranked
7. Fallen From Grace
“OK, some synth creeps in “Fallen From Grace”, but chugging heavy guitars take precedence. The power harmonies in the main refrain work well. Heartfelt lines: “The tears left behind/won’t wash from my face/”
6. The Night
“Power chords pound left and right in the stomping “The Night”, coming closer to heavy metal than “The Wolf.” This would be a great song to do live–just make sure the crowd doesn’t get too rowdy.”
5. Secret
“The power ballad “Secret”, on an illicit affair, is my favourite song on this album and I wasn’t too chuffed that it didn’t climb higher than the Top 60 on the charts. There is a wall of heavy guitar and the Wilsons powerful vocals that somehow just gets me going.”
See more: Heart Songs Ranked
4. I Didn’t Want to Need You
“I Didn’t Want To Need You” is a midtempo number, not exactly a ballad but not a rocker either. It’s one of my favorite songs on the album. The keyboards on this song are fantastic.”
3. Tall, Dark Handsome Stranger
“The third single from the album. This is a great rock tune, with Ann’s amazing voice. Just be sure to keep a distance between yourself and the speaker when you hear Ann belt out the high note at the end of each chorus.”
2. Stranded
“Stranded” is another power ballad that incorporates inflections from “What About Love.” It’s more powerful than its predecessor, but without the emotional depth.”
1. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You
“All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You”. Written by Mutt Lange, many people hate this song, but I for one love it. Ann gives one of her most powerful vocal performances on this song, and it deserved to become the hit it became and should get more respects than it actually has.”
