"Searching for a Heart" is a song by American singer/songwriter Warren Zevon from his album Mr. Bad Example released in 1991. As track ten it serves as the album's closer on Mr. Bad Example. This song has also been performed live on Late Night with David Letterman. (link to this performance)
Contents
Background[]
"Searching for a Heart" was originally written for an Alan Rudolph picture titled Love At Large. Warren was told by Rudolph that he would use anything that he could write. Lawrence Kasdan also used the song in Grand Canyon. Subsequent to it's release in 1991, the song became a live favorite and is also featured on the live album Learning to Flinch.
Music[]
"Searching for a Heart" is in the key of E minor. The original recording is played softly at 110 beats per-minute. The song prominently uses the electric guitar in clean tone and keyboards and features a guitar solo after the first bridge. Harmonized backing vocals can also be heard throughout the song. "Searching for a Heart" runs at four minutes and sixteen seconds long.
Lyrics[]
Note: the text of this song's lyrics is not under the same copyright license as the wiki's encyclopedic text, it is used under fair use/dealing.
Darkness in the morning
Shadows on the land
Certain individuals
Aren't sticking with the plan
And I'm searching for a heart
Searching everyone
They say love conquers all
You can't start it like a car
You can't stop it with a gun
Leaving in the evening
Traveling at night
Staying inconspicuous
I'm staying out of sight
And I'm searching for a heart
Searching everyone
They say love conquers all
You can't start it like a car
You can't stop it with a gun
They tell me love requires a little standing in line
And I've been waiting for you, lover, for a long, long time
I've been pacing the floor
I've been watching the door
Meanwhile I'll keep searching for a heart
Searching high and low for you
Trying to track you down
Certain individuals
Have finally come around
And I'm searching for a heart
Searching everyone
They say love conquers all
You can't start it like a car
You can't stop it with a gun
They tell me love requires a little standing in line
And I've been waiting for you, lover, for a long, long time
I've been pacing the floor I've been watching the door
Meanwhile I'll keep searching for a heart
Searching everyone
They say love conquers all
You can't start it like a car
You can't stop it with a gun
Personnel[]
Warren Zevon - Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Waddy Wachtel - Guitar
Bob Glaub - Bass
Jeff Porcaro - Drums
Micheal Lennon, Mark Lennon, Kip Lennon and Jorge Colderon - harmony vocals
Trivia[]
- David Letterman has said the line "Love conquers all, you can't start it like a car; can't stop it with a gun." is one of his favourite song lyrics.
- Jordan Zevon performed the song live on Letterman's show to promote Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings. The song does not in fact appear on that album. Link to the performance!
