A Private Heaven

A Private Heaven, released in 1984, is the sixth album release by Scottish singer Sheena Easton. Released by EMI America, the album featured two US top 10 hit singles: the lead single "Strut" and the controversial "Sugar Walls". "Swear", a third single, reached number 80.

A Private Heaven
Studio album by
Sheena Easton
Released7 September 1984
Recorded1983–1984
GenreDance-pop
LabelEMI
ProducerGreg Mathieson
Sheena Easton chronology
Todo Me Recuerda a Ti
(1984)		 A Private Heaven
(1984)		 Do You
(1985)

The album is Easton's most successful album in the United States to date, reaching number 15 in the US and selling over one million copies, earning a gold and platinum certification from the RIAA. In Canada, the album also went platinum.

Background

The album marked a conscious effort by Easton to change her image to that of a sexy pop singer after cultivating a "sweet and innocent" image since the launch of her career five years earlier.[1] The sexually-charged "Strut" - co-written by Charlie Dore - became Easton's biggest solo hit in the US since 1981's "For Your Eyes Only". Easton collaborated with Prince on the controversial track "Sugar Walls", written by Prince under the pseudonym Alexander Nevermind. The track and its accompanying video were banned in some regions due to its sexually risque lyrics and was one of several songs cited by Tipper Gore on her Filthy Fifteen list in her efforts to introduce mandatory warning labeling of explicit musical albums. Easton's association with Prince continued for the next few years.

The album also includes cover versions of Tim Scott's new wave track "Swear" and Joan Armatrading's 1976 classic "Love and Affection", Converse to the album's success in America, in the UK it was her first album not to chart, and none of the singles released made the official top 75.

In 2000, One Way Records released a remastered version of A Private Heaven with bonus tracks and b-sides.

On February 23, 2013, Edsel Records (UK) reissued Easton's A Private Heaven and Do You in two CDs remastered with bonus tracks.

On November 24, 2014, the album was included in a box set in the UK with all of her first five albums with EMI through Warner Music Group.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic link
People.com(positive)

Cashbox magazine reviewed the album in October 1984, writing that with "Virtually unlimited talent, Sheena Easton is at her absolute best", describing the album as "dazzling" and featuring "solid, punchy, techno-pop production with dramatic ballads".

Track listing

Side one

  1. "Strut" (Charlie Dore, Julian Littman) – 4:05
  2. "Sugar Walls" (Alexander Nevermind) – 4:01
  3. "Hungry Eyes" (Greg Matheison, Trevor Veitch) – 3:42
  4. "Hard to Say It's Over" (Adrienne Anderson, Gino Cunico, Tom Saviano) – 4:24
  5. "Swear" (Tim Scott) – 3:43

Side two

  1. "Love and Affection" (Joan Armatrading) – 4:06
  2. "Back in the City" (Greg Mathieson, Lee Ritenour, Trevor Veitch) – 3:46
  3. "You Make Me Nervous" (Mark Holding, Robbie Nevil, Duncan Pain) – 3:53
  4. "All by Myself" (Steve Lukather, Trevor Veitch) – 4:24
  5. "Double Standard" (Steve Kipner, Ben Petterson) – 3:50

The CD re-issue featured the following bonus tracks:

  1. "Sugar Walls" (Dance Mix)
  2. "Letters from the Road"
  3. "Straight Talking"
  4. "Fallen Angels"
  5. "Strut" (Dance Mix)
  6. "Swear" (Dub Mix)
  7. "Sugar Walls" (Red Mix)

Personnel

Production
  • Producer – Greg Mathieson
  • Recorded and Mixed by David Leonard
  • Recorded at Sunset Sound Factory (Hollywood, CA).
  • Mixed at Sunset Sound (Hollywood, CA).
  • Mastered by Wally Traugott at Capitol Mastering (Hollywood, CA).
  • Art direction – Ria Lewerke
  • Logo – Sue Reilly
  • Photography – Brian Aris
  • Management – Harriet Wasserman

Chart performance

The album spent 35 weeks on the US Billboard album charts and reached its peak position of number 15 in early February 1985.[2]

Certifications
Country Certification Sales
Canada Gold 50,000
United States Gold 500,000
United States Platinum 1 million
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References
  1. Kantor, Justin. A Private Heaven at AllMusic
  2. "Billboard 200: February 2, 1985". Billboard. 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
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