Tongues and Tails

Tongues and Tails is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins, released in 1992 on Columbia records. It was produced by Rick Chertoff and Ralph Schuckett.^[1][2]

Tongues and Tails
Studio album by Sophie B. Hawkins
Released	April 21, 1992
Recorded	July 1991 – February 1992
Length	52:23
Label	Columbia
Producer	Rick Chertoff Ralph Schuckett
Sophie B. Hawkins chronology
Tongues and Tails (1992) Whaler (1994)
Singles from Tongues and Tails
"Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" Released: 31 March 1992 "California Here I Come" Released: July 1992 "I Want You" Released: October 1992

The album contains ten original tracks, including "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" and "California Here I Come", and a cover of Bob Dylan's "I Want You"; in Rolling Stone, Paul Evans described the style of her version as "breathy techno-MOR".^[3]

The album, which sold over 850,000 units worldwide,^[4] was a commercial and critical success.^[5] It was awarded "Best Pop Album" and "Best Debut Album by a Solo Artist" at the 1992 New York Music Awards,^[6] and earned Hawkins a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 1993.^[7]

Background

Hawkins recorded her debut album, Tongues and Tails, after signing a contract with Columbia Records, who had liked a demo tape she circulated to various labels. She was enthusiastic about her relationship with the label, telling Billboard in 1992, "Once it sunk into my brain that I got this deal because [Columbia] believed in me and my music, I was able to dig into making this album without any inhibitions."^[8]

Singles

The lead single, "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover", preceded the album and was released in the US on March 31, 1992.^[8] It achieved success in many countries worldwide; in the United States, it reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100.^[5] The second single, "California Here I Come", was released in July 1992.^[9] It failed to appear on any Billboard charts, but did peak at number 79 on the US Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles chart.^[10] "I Want You" was issued as the third and final single in October 1992, but was not a chart success.^[11] It did, however, reach number 49 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1993.^[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[13]
Robert Christgau	[14]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[15]
Entertainment Weekly	B+[16]
The Indianapolis Star	[17]
Los Angeles Times	[18]
Orlando Sentinel	[19]
Q	(1992) (1994)[20]
Rolling Stone	[21]
Slant Magazine	[22]

Billboard believed that Tongues and Tails "distinguishes itself from the femme-fronted confessional genre by contrasting sensitive lyrics with insinuating pop grooves, '70s soul stylings, and African-tribal percussion". They added that Hawkins "reveals a unique voice and charisma that's well worth the attention."^[23] Kent Zimmerman of Gavin Report described the album as "one of this year's prime releases". He noted how Hawkins has "carved a personality niche right alongside her textured and keyboard-drive recordings", which "emphasizes sex and affection during dangerous times".^[24] The Indianapolis Star stated that "Hawkins' music ranges from churchlike keyboards to what should be instant favorites on the dance floor—sort of an early Springsteen to current Madonna."^[17]

Track listing

All tracks written by Sophie B. Hawkins, except "I Want You," written by Bob Dylan.

1. "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" – 5:23
2. "California Here I Come" – 4:38
3. "Mysteries We Understand" – 4:40
4. "Savior Child" – 4:45
5. "Carry Me" – 4:36
6. "I Want You" – 5:19
7. "Before I Walk on Fire" – 4:58
8. "We Are One Body" – 4:49
9. "Listen" – 3:31
10. "Live and Let Love" – 4:13
11. "Don't Stop Swaying" – 5:31

Personnel

• Sophie B. Hawkins – keyboards, vocals
• Eric Bazilian – guitar
• Café – percussion
• Mino Cinelu – percussion
• Rick DiFonzo – guitar
• Mark Egan – bass
• Roger Greenawalt – twelve-string guitar
• Omar Hakim – drums
• Gary Lucas – guitar
• Sammy Merendino – rhythm, rhythm collage
• Ralph Schuckett – keyboards
• Peter Wood – synthesizer
• Frederick Zlotkin – cello

Technical personnel

• Studio: Messina Music
• Producers: Rick Chertoff, Ralph Schuckett
• Engineers: John Agnello, Steve Churchyard, Stewart Lerman, Martin Brass
• Assistant engineers: Ted Trewhella, Michael White
• Mixing: Steve Churchyard, David Leonard
• Mastering: George Marino
• Art direction: Christopher Austopchuk, Nicky Lindeman
• Paintings: Sophie B. Hawkins

Charts

Chart performance for Tongues and Tails

Chart (1992)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[25]	38
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[26]	20
European Top 100 Albums (Music & Media)[27]	54
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[28]	34
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[29]	13
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[30]	38
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[31]	15
UK Albums (OCC)[32]	46
US Billboard 200[33]	51
US Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums[34]	32