Bébé le Strange

Bébé le Strange is the fifth studio album by American rock band Heart, released on February 14, 1980, by Epic Records. It was the first album without founding member Roger Fisher on lead guitar, who had left the band months prior along with his brother Michael.

For the song, see Bebe le Strange (song).

Bébé le Strange
Studio album by
Heart
ReleasedFebruary 14, 1980 (1980-02-14)
Recorded1979
StudioKaye-Smith (Seattle)
GenreHard rock
Length37:30
LabelEpic
Producer
Heart chronology
Dog & Butterfly
(1978)		 Bébé le Strange
(1980)		 Greatest Hits/Live
(1980)
Singles from Bébé le Strange
  1. "Even It Up"
    Released: January 1980[1]
  2. "Raised on You"
    Released: April 1980[2]
  3. "Bebe le Strange"
    Released: June 1980[3]

The album was a commercial success, peaking at number five on the US Billboard 200 and spending 22 weeks on the chart.[4] On May 5, 1980, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[5] Bébé le Strange spawned the singles "Even It Up" (backed by the Tower of Power horn section) and the title track. Some of the backing vocals were provided by Don Wilhelm, who had been in a group called The Army with Steve Fossen and Roger Fisher in the 1960s.

On June 29, 2004, the album was re-released by Epic and Legacy Recordings in a remastered expanded edition, containing two bonus tracks: the studio outtake "Jackleg Man" and a live version of "Break".[6]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Christgau's Record GuideB+[8]
PopMattersUnfavorable[9]
Rolling StoneUnfavorable[10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[11]

Record World wrote of the single "Raised on You" that "Anne's lavish lead is enhanced by bold keyboard runs and Nancy's confident guitar."[12]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ann Wilson, Sue Ennis, and Nancy Wilson, except where noted

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Bébé le Strange"
3:38
2."Down on Me" 4:46
3."Silver Wheels"N. Wilson1:22
4."Break" 2:32
5."Rockin Heaven Down" 5:52
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Even It Up" 5:10
7."Strange Night" 4:16
8."Raised on You"N. Wilson3:21
9."Pilot" 3:15
10."Sweet Darlin'"A. Wilson3:18
Total length:37:30
2004 remastered reissue bonus tracks[6]
No.TitleLength
11."Jackleg Man" (previously unreleased)3:02
12."Break" (live)3:03
Total length:43:35

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Bébé le Strange.[13]

Heart
  • Ann Wilson – lead vocals (tracks 1, 2, 4–7, 9, 10); tambourine (tracks 1, 5, 6, 10); bass (tracks 1, 6, 10); backup vocals (tracks 1, 6, 7, 9); drums, alto flute, piano (track 10)
  • Nancy Wilson – guitars (tracks 1, 4, 9); backup vocals (tracks 1, 5–7, 9); rhythm guitars (tracks 2, 6); Mellotron (track 2); acoustic guitars (tracks 3, 7); electric guitar (track 5); lead guitar (track 6); lead vocals, all instruments except drums (track 8)
  • Howard Leese – guitars (tracks 1, 4, 9); lead guitar (track 2); synthesizer (track 2); backward solo (track 4); electric guitar (tracks 5, 7); acoustic guitars (track 5); backup vocals (tracks 5, 9); rhythm guitars (track 6); keyboards (track 9)
  • Michael Derosier – drums (tracks 1, 2, 4–9); rhythm instruments (track 7)
  • Steve Fossen – bass (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 9)

Additional musicians

Technical
  • Mike Flicker – production, engineering, mixing
  • Connie[lower-alpha 1] – production
  • Howie – production
  • Rob Perkins – engineering
  • Armin Steiner – horn engineering (track 6)
  • Stewart Whitmore – horn engineering assistance (track 6)
  • John Golden – mastering at Kendun Recorders (Burbank, California)

Artwork
  • Tony Lane – art direction
  • Tom Girvin – logo graphics
  • Jeff Burger – photography

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for Bébé le Strange
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[19] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[5] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes
  1. Connie is a pseudonym for Nancy Wilson, Sue Ennis, and Ann Wilson.

References
  1. "Heart – Even It Up" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  2. "Heart – Raised On You" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  3. "Heart – Bebe le Strange" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  4. "Heart Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  5. "American album certifications – Heart – Bebe le Strange". Recording Industry Association of America. May 5, 1980. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. "Bebe le Strange [Expanded] – Heart". AllMusic. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  7. Jurek, Thom. "Bebe le Strange – Heart". AllMusic. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  8. Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Reviews: Heart". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  9. Horning, Rob (August 9, 2004). "Heart: Little Queen / Dog & Butterfly / Bebe Le Strange (reissue)". PopMatters. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  10. Carson, Tom (May 1, 1980). "Heart: Bebe Le Strange : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  11. Coleman, Mark; Berger, Arion (2004). "Heart". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 372. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  12. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. April 26, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  13. Bébé le Strange (liner notes). Heart. Epic Records. 1980. FE 36371.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 136. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  15. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0149a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  16. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  17. "Charts.nz – Heart – Bebe le Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  18. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1980". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  19. "Canadian album certifications – Heart – Bebe le Strange". Music Canada. July 1, 1980. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
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