“Two Hearts” is a song by Phil Collins, released in November 1988 as part of the soundtrack for the film Buster, in which Collins also starred. The song was written by Collins and renowned Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier, best known for his work with the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting trio that crafted many hits for The Supremes, The Four Tops, and The Temptations. “Two Hearts” became a major hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and receiving widespread acclaim.
“Two Hearts” is an upbeat, feel-good song about love, connection, and unity. The lyrics speak of the power of love to overcome challenges and the importance of having someone special by your side. The phrase “two hearts living in just one mind” symbolizes the closeness and unity shared between two people who are deeply in love. The song suggests that when two hearts are aligned, they can overcome any obstacle together.
“Two Hearts” is heavily influenced by the Motown sound, a tribute to the style that co-writer Lamont Dozier helped define in the 1960s. The song features a lively pop-soul arrangement, with a catchy melody, upbeat tempo, and bouncy rhythm. The use of horns and prominent bass lines adds to the Motown feel, while Collins’ vocal performance is energetic and joyful, perfectly matching the song’s optimistic tone.
“Two Hearts” was a major commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. in January 1989, where it remained for two weeks. It also topped the Adult Contemporary chart and the charts in several other countries, including Canada and Japan.
“Two Hearts” received significant acclaim and was recognized at several awards shows. It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and earned Collins a Grammy Award nomination for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television in 1989. The song was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, showcasing its critical success in addition to its commercial achievements.
Two music videos were made, both directed by Jim Yukich and produced by Paul Flattery.
“Two Hearts” was written for the soundtrack of the film Buster, in which Collins played the title character, Buster Edwards, one of the criminals involved in the Great Train Robbery of 1963 in the UK. The film, a lighthearted take on the true story, was moderately successful, but the soundtrack, featuring “Two Hearts” and Collins’ cover of “A Groovy Kind of Love“, was a significant commercial success.