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Use Your Heart

"Use Your Heart"
Single by SWV
from the album New Beginning
ReleasedJuly 23, 1996 (1996-07-23)
Recorded1995
GenreR&B
Length4:50 (album version)
3:58 (radio edit)
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Neptunes
SWV singles chronology
"You're the One"
(1996) 		"Use Your Heart"
(1996) 		"It's All About U"
(1996)

"Use Your Heart" is a song by American R&B trio SWV, released on July 23, 1996, as the second single from their album New Beginning. Written and produced by Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, it is the first song produced by the duo (as The Neptunes) to chart on the 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

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

Critical reception

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Larry Flick from Billboard 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

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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

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  • 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

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Charts (1996) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 22
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[12] 48
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 6
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[14] 19

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States July 23, 1996
RCA [4]
July 28, 1996 Cassette, CD single [15]

References

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  1. ^ a b Zoladz, Lindsay (November 26, 2024). "Digging Into Kendrick Lamar's Samples". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Singleton, Mya (November 5, 2022). "25 iconic songs produced by The Neptunes". Yardbarker. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. 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 from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Selected New Releases: Adds July 23" (PDF). Radio & Records: 44, 50. July 19, 1996.
  5. ^ Flick, Larry (July 27, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 86. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  6. ^ Love, Gale (April 17, 2023). "The Best of SWV's Songs". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. 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 from the original on November 13, 2024. 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 from the original on February 28, 2025. 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 from the original on May 16, 2025. 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 from the original on May 26, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  11. ^ "SWV Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  12. ^ "SWV Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  13. ^ "SWV Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  14. ^ "SWV Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  15. ^ Amazon.com: Use Your Heart: SWV: Music Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved January 18, 2011.