HEART - THERE’S THE GIRL

Released: October 1987

Charts:  US: #12   UK: #34 

"There's the Girl" is a song co-written by Nancy Wilson and songwriter Holly Knight. Released as the third single from Heart's “Bad Animals” album, it followed the success of "Alone" and "Who Will You Run To." The single was issued in a remixed version, showcasing a polished production style typical of Ron Nevison, who had produced Heart's previous album as well. The single reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted in the UK as well, peaking at #34 on the Singles Chart.

"There's the Girl" featured Nancy Wilson on lead vocals, marking one of the few times she took the spotlight over her sister Ann, who was typically Heart’s lead vocalist. Similar to their 1986 hit "These Dreams," this vocal switch surprised many fans, who often didn't realize Nancy was singing until seeing the video or a live performance. 

Holly Knight shared how "There's the Girl" came together. She explained that while she had the melody and chorus initially, the lyrics took some time to develop due to distractions, like Nancy Wilson being on tour. Despite the song being written over a long period, Knight was pleasantly surprised by its success, noting that people still love the song today. Knight also revealed that while the title was hers, Nancy Wilson had a personal connection to the song's theme, as it mirrored a friend's experience of being in love with someone who was with another girl. Knight hadn't known about this connection until later, when she learned of Nancy's experience.

"There's the Girl" explores a classic love triangle, where the narrator, a girl, harbors deep feelings for a guy who's infatuated with another girl who doesn’t value him. The narrator questions his loyalty, asking, "Can you say that you don't want her anymore?"—a line that reflects her hope he’ll move on from the unappreciative girl and notice her instead. The music video directed by Jeff Stein, is a visually striking piece typical of early MTV-era videos. It features surreal imagery, including smoke, two Sphinxes, and a cyborg drum kit, creating a mysterious atmosphere. Nancy Wilson also appears in tails.