What makes Cold Hearted by Paula Abdul notable?

'Cold Hearted' became a defining hit for Abdul, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and showcasing her ability to blend dance-pop with R&B influences. Its success contributed to her winning the American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist in 1990, highlighting her impact on the genre during this era. Released on June 15, 1989, 'Cold Hearted' came during Paula Abdul's rise to fame following her successful debut album 'Forever Your Girl.' The single showcased her transition from a choreographer to a pop sensation, solidifying her presence in the music scene as she prepared for her follow-up successes.

How many songs are on Cold Hearted?

Cold Hearted has 4 tracks, running approximately 17 minutes.

Cold Hearted

Paula Abdul · 1989

17 min · 4 tracks · contemporary R&B

A sultry blend of contemporary R&B and pop, layered with infectious grooves and confident vocal delivery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Cold Hearted (Chad Jackson 7″ mix) — The Chad Jackson 7″ mix features an engaging beat that emphasizes Abdul's powerful vocal performance, setting the tone for the entire project.
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Cold Hearted (Chad Jackson extended mix) — This extended version allows for deeper exploration of the song's rhythmic elements, providing a more immersive experience that showcases the production's sophistication.
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Cold Hearted (Percapella) — The Percapella mix strips away instrumentation, highlighting Abdul's vocal prowess and delivering a fresh take on the original track.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases solid production and catchy grooves but lacks depth for long-term engagement.

What we noticed

The primary track features a steady mid-tempo beat with layered synths and a prominent bass line that drives the groove.
The extended mix adds additional instrumental layers and variations in arrangement, creating a more dance-oriented experience.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Cold Hearted (Chad Jackson 7″ mix) 3:53
2 Cold Hearted (Chad Jackson extended mix) 5:40
3 Cold Hearted (Percapella) 3:58
4 Cold Hearted (7″ edit) 3:35

What to play next

Listen next

Shut Up and Dance The Dance Mixes

1990

Go back to

Forever Your Girl

1988

Full Paula Abdul discography Where to start with Paula Abdul Artists like Paula Abdul

contemporary R&B soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata