Tongues and Tails

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."{{cite magazine |last=Flick |first=Larry |title=Bigger & better prospects for Sophie Hawkins |magazine=Billboard |date=April 4, 1992 |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |volume=104 |issue=14 |page=13 |issn=0006-2510}}

The lead single, "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover", preceded the album and was released in the US on March 31, 1992. It achieved success in many countries worldwide; in the United States, it reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, "California Here I Come", was released in July 1992.{{cite magazine |last2=Fell |first2=Ron |last1=Rufer |first1=Diane |title=Reviews |magazine=Gavin Report |date=July 24, 1992 |issue=1915 |page=28 |oclc=34039542}} It failed to appear on any Billboard charts, but did peak at number 79 on the US Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles chart.{{cite book |last1=Downey |first1=Pat |last2=Albert |first2=George |last3=Hoffman |first3=Frank |title=Cash Box Pop Singles Charts, 1950-1993 |date=1994 |publisher=Libraries Unlimited, Inc. |location=Englewood, Colorado |isbn=1563083167 |page=[https://archive.org/details/cashboxpopsingle00down/page/152 152] |url=https://archive.org/details/cashboxpopsingle00down |url-access=registration |access-date=September 21, 2024}} "I Want You" was issued as the third and final single in October 1992, but was not a chart success.{{cite magazine |title=I Want You – Sophie B. Hawkins – The new single... |magazine=Radio & Records |date=October 2, 1992 |publisher=Radio & Records, Inc. |issue=961 |page=91 |issn=0277-4860}} It did, however, reach number 49 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1993.{{cite web |title=Sophie B. Hawkins - Official Chart History |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27807/sophie-b-hawkins/ |website=Official Charts Company |access-date=September 21, 2024}}

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r73334/review}}

| rev2 = Robert Christgau

| rev2score = {{Rating-Christgau|dud}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=sophie+b.+hawkins|title=Sophie B. Hawkins|website=Robert Christgau|access-date=February 26, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053057/http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=sophie+b.+hawkins|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music

| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press.

| rev4 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev4score = B+{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,310341,00.html|title=Protected Blog › Log in|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=August 25, 2010|archive-date=August 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827185108/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,310341,00.html|url-status=dead}}

| rev5 = The Indianapolis Star

| rev5score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite news |last1=Wolf |first1=Judy |title=Sophie B. Hawkins Tongues and Tails |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=May 8, 1992 |page=C12}}

| rev6 = Los Angeles Times

| rev6score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{Cite newspaper|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-19-ca-662-story.html|title=*** SOPHIE B. HAWKINS "Tongues and Tails" Columbia|date=April 19, 1992|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=June 19, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402060603/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-19-ca-662-story.html|url-status=live}}

| rev7 = Orlando Sentinel

| rev7score = {{Rating|1|3}}Gettelman, Parry (May 22, 1992). "Sophie B. Hawkins". Orlando Sentinel.

| rev8 = Q

| rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}} (1992)
{{Rating|3|5}} (1994){{Cite web|url=https://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1086900&style=music|title=Sophie B Hawkins - Tongues & Tails CD Album|website=www.cduniverse.com}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9score = {{Rating|3|5}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20010629225749/http://www.rollingstone.com/recordings/review.asp?aid=42177&cf=1284 Rolling Stone review]

| rev10 = Slant Magazine

| rev10score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/sophie-b-hawkins-tongues-and-tails/|title=Review: Sophie B. Hawkins, Tongues & Tails|first=Sal|last=Cinquemani|website=Slant Magazine |date=October 26, 2003 |access-date=June 19, 2023|archive-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302124801/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/sophie-b-hawkins-tongues-and-tails|url-status=live}}

}}

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."{{cite magazine |title=Album Reviews |magazine=Billboard |date=April 11, 1992 |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |volume=104 |issue=15 |page=43 |issn=0006-2510}} 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".{{cite magazine |last=Zimmerman |first=Kent |title=Album: New Releases |magazine=Gavin Report |date=April 17, 1992 |issue=1901 |page=40 |oclc=34039542}} 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."

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

• 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

• 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

{{reflist}}

• [http://sophiebhawkins.com/clips/tnt.php Full lyrics of all tracks at official website]

{{Sophie B. Hawkins}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Sophie B. Hawkins albums

Category:1992 debut albums

Category:Columbia Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Rick Chertoff