# Tongues and Tails

Tongues and Tails is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins, released in 1992 on Columbia records. It was produced by Rick Chertoff and Ralph Schuckett.
The album contains ten original tracks, including "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" and "California Here I Come", and a cover of Bob Dylan's "I Want You"; in Rolling Stone, Paul Evans described the style of her version as "breathy techno-MOR".
The album, which sold over 850,000 units worldwide, was a commercial and critical success. It was awarded "Best Pop Album" and "Best Debut Album by a Solo Artist" at the 1992 New York Music Awards, and earned Hawkins a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 1993.

## Background

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."

## Singles

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. It failed to appear on any Billboard charts, but did peak at number 79 on the US Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles chart. "I Want You" was issued as the third and final single in October 1992, but was not a chart success. It did, however, reach number 49 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1993.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Robert Christgau | |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+ |
| The Indianapolis Star | |
| Los Angeles Times | |
| Orlando Sentinel | |
| Q | (1992) (1994) |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Slant Magazine | |
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." 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". 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."

## Track listing

All tracks written by Sophie B. Hawkins, except "I Want You," written by Bob Dylan.
* "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" – 5:23
* "California Here I Come" – 4:38
* "Mysteries We Understand" – 4:40
* "Savior Child" – 4:45
* "Carry Me" – 4:36
* "I Want You" – 5:19
* "Before I Walk on Fire" – 4:58
* "We Are One Body" – 4:49
* "Listen" – 3:31
* "Live and Let Love" – 4:13
* "Don't Stop Swaying" – 5:31

## Personnel

* 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

### Technical personnel

* 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

## Charts

Chart performance for Tongues and Tails :
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 38 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM) | 20 |
| European Top 100 Albums (Music & Media) | 54 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 34 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) | 13 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 38 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 15 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 46 |
| US Billboard 200 | 51 |
| US Cash Box Top 200 Pop Albums | 32 |