Hearts of Stone is the third studio album by the American rock band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. It was released on October 13 1978 by Epic Records and produced by the band's manager and guitarist Steven Van Zandt.
Background and recording
Work on the album began in January 1978 at the Record Plant in New York City. After initial sessions yielded eight tracks that the band felt were unsatisfactory, the project was temporarily shelved. Recording resumed several months later at Secret Sound Studios in downtown New York, where the final tracks were completed between January and June 1978 during brief breaks in the Jukes' touring schedule. Mixing was also handled by Van Zandt.
Composition and songwriting
The album consists of nine songs. Six tracks were written solely by Steven Van Zandt. Bruce Springsteen contributed the title track “Hearts of Stone” and “Talk To Me,” and co‑wrote “Trapped Again” with Southside Johnny (John Lyon) and Van Zandt. The material blends rock and rhythm‑and‑blues influences, featuring prominent horn arrangements by the Miami Horns.
Release and commercial performance
Hearts of Stone entered the Billboard 200 chart and peaked at No. 112 during the week of January 13 1979. Singles issued from the album included “Trapped Again/This Time Baby's Gone For Good” (1978, US/Canada) and “Talk To Me/This Time Baby's Gone For Good” (1979, UK).
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews were generally favorable, noting the album’s soulful production and stronger rock orientation compared to the Jukes’ earlier releases. Retrospective assessments have highlighted the album as a high point in the band’s early career and a showcase for Van Zandt’s emerging production style.
Track listing
All tracks are credited to Steven Van Zandt unless otherwise noted.
- “Got To Find a Better Way Home” – 3:23
- “This Time Baby's Gone for Good” – 3:28
- “I Played the Fool” – 3:29
- “Hearts of Stone” (Bruce Springsteen) – 4:31
- “Take It Inside” – 3:22
- “Talk To Me” (Bruce Springsteen) – 4:02
- “Next To You” – 3:39
- “Trapped Again” (Springsteen, John Lyon, Van Zandt) – 4:21
- “Light Don’t Shine” – 4:33
Personnel
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
- John “Southside Johnny” Lyon – lead vocals
- Billy Rush – lead and rhythm guitars
- Kevin Kavanaugh – keyboards
- Alan Berger – bass
- Max Weinberg – drums
Additional musicians
- Steven Van Zandt – rhythm guitar, vocals, lead guitar on “Hearts of Stone”
- The Miami Horns – brass section (Bob Mucklin, Rick Gazda, Stan Harrison, Richie Rosenberg, Ed Manion)
Technical staff
- Steven Van Zandt – producer, mixing
- Jack Malken – engineer, mixing
- Michael Barry – assistant engineer
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
- Frank Stefanko – photography
Legacy
Hearts of Stone is frequently cited by music historians as a seminal work in the Jersey Shore sound, bridging the soulful R&B roots of the Jukes with the emerging rock aesthetic that would later characterize Steven Van Zandt’s solo projects. The album has appeared on retrospective “best‑of” lists for the band and remains a reference point for fans and scholars of late‑1970s American rock.