1981 Infectious Hit Catapulted Juice Newton to Country-Pop Stardom-But Slipped Past Two Music Icons
In 1981, Juice Newton scored a career-defining hit that quietly slipped past two music icons to become her biggest hit.
"Queen of Hearts" was an infectious, country-pop song that hit all the right notes with listeners, who catapulted the song to No. 2 on the Billboard charts. The song blended pop sensibility with a touch of country twang and just enough mainstream energy to appeal to a wide range of listeners.
According to American Songwriter, the tune was written by Hank DeVito, a pedal steel guitar player for Emmylou Harris' band. Reportedly, Harris passed on the song.
Then, "Queen of Hearts" was given to Dave Edmunds to record. Edmunds, who would have a hit with "I Hear You Knockin'" in 1970, put his own spin on the tune, releasing it in the UK in 1979, where it charted just shy of the Top 10. However, the song never became a hit in the United States.
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That was good news for Newton, who released her version two years after Edmunds, in 1981. The song would go on to become a blockbuster hit for the artist, falling short of the No. 1 spot held strong by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie's ballad "Endless Love."
Newton included the song on her LP Juice. The album would send three songs into the Top 10, including "Queen of Hearts," "The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known) and "Angel of The Morning."
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In a 2011 interview with Review Magazine, the singer discussed her collaboration with Richard Landis, producer of her breakthrough hits and her Juice LP. She credited Landis with helping turn the project into the career-defining moment that followed.
"I believe that hooking up with Richard Landis, who produced those first big hits on the Juice LP was my lucky break. I actually think that the timing was just so lucky as we were both available at the same time, that doesn't always happen."
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She continued, "We sort of interviewed each other and did a few demos to see if we really liked the way we worked together in the studio. I consider that excellent timing."
Newton concluded, "I try to pick songs that I really like that speak to me. If I didn't write them, I chose them because they speak to me as an interpreter."
"And I think that's the key. If you pick or write those types of songs, it just translates into your energy level and your commitment, and if you really love performing, then it works its way to the surface."
Juice Newton retired from touring in 2021. She lives in San Diego, California.
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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 7:46 AM.