Use Your Heart
single
CoverSWVuseyourheart.jpg
ArtistSWV
AlbumNew Beginning
ReleasedJuly 23, 1996
GenreR&B
Length
  • 4:50 (album version)
  • 3:58 (radio edit)
LabelRCA
Writer
ProducerThe Neptunes
Prev year1996
Next year1996

"Use Your Heart" is a song by American R&B trio SWV, released on July 23, 1996, by RCA Records, as the second single from their second album, New Beginning (1996). Written and produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, it was the first song produced by the duo (as The Neptunes) to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2024, the song gained further prominence after it was sampled by Kendrick Lamar on the track "Heart Pt. 6" from his sixth studio album, GNX.

Production and release

The song was written and produced by the Neptunes duo Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.[1] The track was the second single on the album New Beginning.[2][3] The song was released on July 23, 1996, by RCA Records.[4]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine described the song as an "sumtuous old-school soul swinger that will have listeners lost in memories of their favorite '70s moments." He added, "These sisters now have the chops to support their bid to become R&B's leading female vocal group. They kick it lovely while Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo surround their plush harmonies with fluttering horns and even-handed funk guitar licks. Yummy stuff that belongs at the top of every urban playlist."[5] HotNewHipHop put the song on their list of best SWV songs.[6] Okayplayer praised the song for its mature themes, beat, and blend of the trio's voices.[7] The track became the Neptunes' first track to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.[2]

Legacy

In 2024, American rapper Kendrick Lamar sampled the song on his track "Heart Pt. 6" from his sixth studio album GNX.[1][8][9] In response to the sample, SWV member Lelee Lyons said that it would be "a treat" to perform with Kendrick at his Super Bowl LIX halftime show.[10]

Track listing

  • Maxi-single
  1. "Use Your Heart" (LP version)
  2. "Use Your Heart" (edit)
  3. "Use Your Heart" (CDS version)
  4. "Use Your Heart" feat. Grampa & Boneyman (Rappers Delight remix)
  5. "Use Your Heart" (acapella)
  6. "Use Your Heart" (instrumental)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996)Peak
position

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)Position
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[11]43
US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard)[12]83

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
United StatesJuly 23, 1996Contemporary hit radio · rhythmic contemporary radioRCA[4]
July 28, 1996Cassette · CD[13]

References

  1. ^ Zoladz, Lindsay (November 26, 2024). "Digging Into Kendrick Lamar's Samples". The New York Times. Archived November 26, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  2. ^ Singleton, Mya (November 5, 2022). "25 iconic songs produced by The Neptunes". Yardbarker. Archived September 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  3. ^ Mahadevan, Tara (November 29, 2024). "SWV Vocalist Requests to Perform With Kendrick Lamar at Super Bowl LIX". Complex Networks. Archived December 7, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  4. ^ "Selected New Releases: Adds July 23". Radio & Records. July 19, 1996.
  5. ^ Flick, Larry (July 27, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles". Billboard. p. 86. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  6. ^ Love, Gale (April 17, 2023). "The Best of SWV's Songs". HotNewHipHop. Archived April 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  7. ^ Page, Deasia (May 6, 2021). "SWV Perfected Their R&B Sound on Their Classic Sophomore Album 'New Beginning'". Okayplayer. Archived November 13, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  8. ^ Corrine, Amber (December 3, 2024). "SWV Is Hoping To Share Super Bowl Stage With Kendrick Lamar For "heart pt. 6"". Vibe. Archived February 28, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  9. ^ Decter, Rosie Long (November 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Reclaims 'Heart Pt. 6' From Drake on Surprise Album 'GNX'". Billboard. Archived May 16, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  10. ^ Jones, Jason (February 3, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar won 5 Grammys on Sunday. Now he prepares for his Super Bowl set list". The New York Times. Archived May 26, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  11. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-40.
  12. ^ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32.
  13. ^ Amazon.com: Use Your Heart: SWV: Music Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved January 18, 2011.