Heart Like a Wheel

Recording

The album was released in 1974, on Capitol Records, and was co-produced by Peter Asher and Andrew Gold.

Reception

The album spent four weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Country Album chart in early 1975. The follow-up single release, a version of The Everly Brothers' "When Will I Be Loved," spent two weeks at number 2 on the Hot 100 in June 1975 and reached number 1 on the Cash Box Pop singles chart and on the Hot Country Songs chart. Buddy Holly & the Crickets song, "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", also appeared on the Pop, Adult Contemporary and Country charts. An Allmusic writer described it as "a landmark of '70s mainstream pop/rock."

Stephen Holden's 1975 review Rolling Stone Magazine described the title track as "a masterpiece of writing and arrangement" and lauded the album's expansive repertoire, production and song selection. The album's cover of Hank Williams's "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You)," peaked at number 2 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.

Heart Like a Wheel spent 51 weeks on the album chart and Billboard magazine picked Ronstadt as top female pop artist of the year. An Allmusic writer described it as "a landmark of '70s mainstream pop/rock."

In 1976 the album won 11 Grammy Awards including Best Country Vocal Performance Female, Best Pop Vocal Performance Female. The album was also nominated for Album Of The Year.

In 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Heart Like a Wheel at number 164 on its list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Personnel

Production notes: