Two of Hearts by Stacey Q and how MTV helped to change the trajectory of dance music in the eighties.

The Twelve Inch 140 : Two Of Hearts (Stacey Q)

What Makes a Song Iconic? Exploring Stacey Q’s Dancefloor Magic

What makes a song iconic? Is it the catchy melody, the pounding bassline, or the electric charm of the artist delivering it? Stacey Q’s Two of Hearts might just be all of the above—and then some. But how did a former circus performer create a dance anthem that continues to resonate decades later? Let’s dive deep into the journey of Stacey Q, the legacy of her one-hit wonder and why her career didn’t last, and how this 1986 smash reflects a pivotal moment in dance music history.

From Big Top to Big Break: Stacey Q’s Unconventional Journey

Before Stacey Q (real name Stacey Lynn Swain) was the poster child for neon legwarmers and infectious hooks, she had an unconventional start: the circus. As a trained dancer and an elephant rider with the Ringling Brothers, Swain developed the stage presence and physicality that would later captivate audiences. But it wasn’t long before she swapped the big top for the recording studio.

Her entry into the music scene came through the project Q, which paired her with Jon St. James, a producer and songwriter with a knack for synth-driven music. St. James was pivotal to her career, not just as a collaborator but as a guide who saw potential in blending Stacey’s charisma with the rising trend of electronic dance music. Q, a project named after the gadget-making character from the James Bond films, released an EP in 1982. They rebranded as SSQ for their 1983 album release, but despite their efforts, neither project achieved commercial success.

Remember the “original” prop master, a.k.a. “Q” from the bond movies ?

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Funfact : Stacey’s stage name, Stacey Q, originated from her first band, where all members adopted “Q” as their surname. When Stacey embarked on her solo career, she retained the name. The band, however, had to rebrand as SSQ to avoid legal issues with Quincy Jones, who had already trademarked the “Q Productions” moniker.

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Synth-Pop, MTV, and the 80s Dance Revolution

By the mid-1980s, electronic dance music was thriving. The rise of Eurodisco in the late 1970s paved the way for American dance genres dominated by synthesizers. MTV, launched in 1981, transformed dance music into a visual medium. It became much harder to release anonymous, studio based, dance projects. Producers and artists now had to consider not just how their songs sounded, but how they looked on screen. This led to the creation of elaborate, choreographed dance routines that became synonymous with 80s dance music. . This era of music videos catapulted stars like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince into global icons.

MTV’s influence also fueled the second British Invasion, making British synth-pop a fixture in the U.S. Two of Hearts, though distinctly American, tapped into the European aesthetic. Stacey Q and Jon St. James positioned the track as a crossover hit, blending catchy synth melodies with a flair reminiscent of Madonna’s pop dominance. The timing couldn’t have been better; with Madonna between albums, Two of Hearts filled a gap in the market.

The Production Story: From East LA Buzz to Global Smash

The success of Two of Hearts owes much to Jon St. James’s discovery of East LA’s vibrant Latin dance scene. The song was written for another artist, called Sue Gatlin, who recorded an R&B version for the same independent label that released Stacey Q. Stacey was initially hesitant to record the track, but St. James convinced her. Stacey Q explains : “Jon became aware of the East L.A. dance scene which I was promptly assigned to. He brought the song to me to record. I told Jon I'd rather jump from the studio balcony than sing someone else's song. The less said the better. Jon just said to trust him, but he had to pretty much make me sing it”.

They set the stage for a grassroots marketing campaign targeting Latin neighborhoods and record shops in Los Angeles. After selling 60,000 copies independently, Atlantic Records picked up the track, re-released it, and took it to the masses.

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Welcome, I’m Pe Dupre and this is “The Twelve Inch”, a newsletter that tells the history of dance music between 1975 and 1995, one twelve inch at a time.

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MTV played a crucial role in its success. The music video’s vibrant choreography and Stacey’s undeniable charm made it a heavy rotation favorite, driving the song to platinum sales and a spot in the U.S. Top 3. Stacey Q : “For better or for worse, MTV was music. The New Wave was one of the best things that ever happened to American youth. The "Two of Hearts" video was the #1 request on Dial MTV from the first day for months straight. I couldn't have gotten more exposure (for free) anywhere. Timing is everything. While good looks and dancing can't hurt, champagne and my dry wit (or smart mouth) could have sent it crashing down at any time, I suppose.”

Dancefloor Dominance: Hi-NRG and Latin Freestyle Fusion

Two of Hearts dominated both pop and club charts, reaching No. 4 on the dance charts. Its appeal was twofold: it embraced the rhythmic elements of early Latin freestyle while also delivering a Hi-NRG sound beloved by LGBTQ+ audiences. Slightly tweaked mixes for the European market attempted to expand its reach, but the song resonated more in the U.S./North America than abroad. The reactions in Europe were a bit lackluster. As one Smash Hits UK reviewer put it, the track was “a fine example of mechanical dance music perfect for dodgy Greek discos on holiday.”

The Decline: Why Stacey Q Didn’t Last

Despite Two of Hearts’ massive success, Stacey Q’s follow-ups failed to replicate its impact. Subsequent singles like We Connect barely scraped the Top 40, and her next two albums, Hard Machine (1988) and Nights Like This (1989), struggled commercially. After her major-label career stalled, Stacey Q reinvented herself, studying Buddhism in Tibet and releasing the album Boomerang—a comeback that unfortunately didn’t stick.

Legacy of a One-Hit Wonder

Stacey Q and Two of Hearts are now regarded as quintessential examples of an ’80s one-hit wonder. But why wasn’t Stacey Q able to build on her success and sustain a lasting career? While perfect timing helped propel Two of Hearts to massive popularity, it was also a key factor in her later decline.

By 1987, the U.S. music landscape was shifting dramatically. The British Invasion and the era of electronic pop and dance, the very genres Stacey Q thrived in, had largely run their course by the end of 1986. MTV turned its focus to FM rock, with bands like Bon Jovi dominating the screen, while the dance scene evolved toward freestyle and house music—genres where Stacey Q’s style didn’t quite fit.

Stacey Q still performs her eighties repertoire today. Click on the pic to go to a live show in Melbourne

Meanwhile, the musical tastes of Europe and the U.S. diverged, making cross-Atlantic success even harder for American dance artists. Despite her decline, the “one-hit wonder” label doesn’t diminish Stacey Q’s impact. If anything, it underscores the fleeting brilliance of Two of Hearts—a song that captured the energy and spirit of its time like few others.

What Are Your Memories of Two of Hearts?

For many American readers, Two of Hearts remains a defining track of the ’80s. For Europeans, the song might not have made the same impact. Did you know it? What memories does it evoke for you? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Funfact 2 : Weird Al Yankovic created a parody of Two of Hearts titled Two Pop-Tarts, but it never made it onto any of his albums. The reason? A legal dispute between the songwriters led to a lengthy court battle, restricting any use of the song outside of Stacey Q’s original version.

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Further reading (or should I say watching)

There are a number of interesting video’s/links :

1. The official video

2. Stacey Q a few years older & later

3. Stacey Q in red tutu meets Joan Rivers.

4. The Beavis & Butt-Head reaction

5. The fan channel

So You Wanna Hear More ?

I thought you would !

It’s fun to write about music but let’s be honest. Music is made to listen to.

Every week, together with this newsletter, I release a 1 hour beatmix on Mixcloud and Soundcloud. I start with the discussed twelve inch and follow up with 10/15 songs from the same timeframe/genre. The ideal soundtrack for…. Well whatever you like to do when you listen to dance music.

The MIXCLOUD Mix Of The Week

So what’s in this week’s mix ?

This week’s playlist serves up a dose of Hi-NRG dance-pop, featuring a mix of European acts like Bros, Go West, and The Drum Theatre alongside a strong lineup of U.S. productions from 1985 and 1986. You’ll find some iconic hits, including Eaten Alive by Diana Ross & Michael Jackson, Blue Kiss by Jane Wiedlin, and the Shep Pettibone mix of Summer of Love by The B-52’s. For those craving deeper cuts, there’s music from Secession, EBN OZN, and Device to round out the mix.

Enjoy !

Next week, we’ll tell the story of the soundtrack that propelled disco into mainstream and revamped the career of 3 brothers.