"True" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1987 as the second single from their debut studio album '' Concrete Blonde'' (1986). The song was written by

Johnette Napolitano Johnette Napolitano (born Jonette L. Napolitano; September 22, 1957) is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and bassist for the alternative rock group Concrete Blonde. Early life Johnette Napolitano was born and r ...

and James Mankey, and produced by Earle Mankey and Concrete Blonde. The song reached number 42 on the US '' Billboard'' Album Rock Tracks chart.

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Jane Simpson and produced by Tina Silvey for Silvey-Lee Productions. It achieved medium rotation on MTV.

Critical reception

On its release, ''

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'' wrote, "Somewhere between Suzanne Vega and Chrissie Hynde, Concrete Blonde's Napolitano has delivered one of the most compelling, searing performances of 1987 here. Like the name suggests, there is something tender, something tough to this group." '' Billboard'' described "True" as a "tasty neo- Velvets tidbit, with Napolitano landing somewhere between Nico and Chrissie Hynde." In the UK, Len Brown of ''

New Musical Express ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a " rock inkie", the ''NME'' would become a maga ...

'' described "True" as being "as vulnerable as

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" and noted the contrast to its "as tough as a

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truck" B-side " Still in Hollywood". Brown added that the band were "blessed with the low (Mc)Kee vocals" of Napolitano. Paul Massey of the '' Aberdeen Evening Express'' described Concrete Blonde as a "promising Los Angeles trio" with "True" being a "cool, mid-tempo rock ballad distinctive for Napolitano's fragile, edgy vocals".

Formats

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Australian and European 7-inch and UK 12-inch sleeve notes. Concrete Blonde *

– vocals, bass * James Mankey – guitars * Harry Rushakoff – drums Production * Earle Mankey, Concrete Blonde – producers

Charts

References

{{authority control 1986 songs 1987 singles Concrete Blonde songs Songs written by Johnette Napolitano I.R.S. Records singles