Ancient Heart

Ancient Heart is the debut studio album by British pop/folk singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram,^[11] initially released by Warner Music Group on 12 September 1988. The album was a hit globally, launching 19-year-old Tikaram's career. Guest musicians include Rod Argent, Mark Isham, Peter Van Hooke, Paul Brady, and Brendan Croker; Argent and Van Hooke also produced the album. Four singles were released from the album: "Good Tradition", "Twist in My Sobriety", "Cathedral Song" and "World Outside Your Window".^[12] In October 2025, Tikaram will release a follow-up album, LIAR (Love Isn't a Right).^[13][14]

Ancient Heart
Studio album by Tanita Tikaram
Released	12 September 1988[1]
Recorded	April–July 1988
Studio	Red House Studios, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, England
Genre	Rock pop folk
Length	44:20
Label	WEA Reprise 9031-71030-3
Producer	Rod Argent Peter Van Hooke
Tanita Tikaram chronology
Ancient Heart (1988) The Sweet Keeper (1990)
Singles from Ancient Heart
"Good Tradition" Released: 27 June 1988[2] "Twist in My Sobriety" Released: 10 October 1988[3] "Cathedral Song" Released: 2 January 1989[4] "World Outside Your Window" Released: 27 February 1989[5]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[6]
Robert Christgau	B[7]
New Musical Express	[8]
Record Mirror	[9]
Smash Hits	[10]

Track listing

All words and music by Tanita Tikaram.

1. "Good Tradition"
2. "Cathedral Song"
3. "Sighing Innocents"
4. "I Love You"
5. "World Outside Your Window"
6. "For All These Years"
7. "Twist in My Sobriety"
8. "Poor Cow"
9. "He Likes the Sun"
10. "Valentine Heart"
11. "Preyed Upon"

Personnel

• Tanita Tikaram – vocals, guitar
• Mark Isham – trumpet, flugelhorn
• Paul Brady – mandolin
• David Lindley – violin
• Marc Ribot – guitar
• Rod Argent – keyboards
• Brendan Croker – guitar
• Pete Beachill – trombone
• Mitch Dalton – guitar
• Martin Ditcham – percussion
• John Georgiadis – violin
• Keith Harvey – cello
• Noel Langley – trumpet
• Malcolm Messiter – oboe
• Helen O'Hara – violin
• Brendon O'Reilly – violin
• Philip Todd – saxophone
• Peter Van Hooke – drums
• Clem Clempson – guitar
• Mark Creswell – guitar
• Ian Jewell – viola
• Rory McFarlane – bass

Charts

Chart (1988–89)	Peak position
Australian Albums Chart	31
Austrian Albums Chart[15]	1
Dutch Albums Chart[16]	4
German Albums Chart[17]	1
New Zealand Albums Chart[18]	23
Norwegian Albums Chart[19]	1
Swedish Albums Chart[20]	8
Swiss Albums Chart[21]	1
UK Albums Chart[12]	3
US Billboard 200[22]	59
Canada Albums Chart[23]	22
The Official Finnish Charts[24]	2
European Albums (Eurotipsheet)[25]	1
US Cash Box Top 200 Albums[26]	65

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[27]	Gold	35,000^
Belgium (BRMA)[28]	Gold	25,000*
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[29]	Gold	26,667[29]
France (SNEP)[30]	2× Gold	200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[31]	3× Gold	750,000^
Hungary (MAHASZ)[32]	Gold	50,000[33]
Italy (FIMI)[34]	Platinum	200,000[34]
Netherlands (NVPI)[35]	Platinum	100,000^
Norway	—	202,000[36]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[37]	Gold	50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[38]	Gold	50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[39]	Platinum	50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[40]	2× Platinum	600,000^
Summaries
Worldwide	—	4,000,000[41]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.