BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

“Second Nature” is a song by American musician-singer-songwriter Dan Hartman, released as the fourth and final single from his 1984 album I Can Dream About You. The single was released in early 1985.

I Can Dream About You was Hartman’s debut album for the MCA Records label, and marked the first album to feature Hartman’s longtime songwriting partner Charlie Midnight, who he would continue to write with throughout the rest of the decade. “Second Nature” was written by Hartman and Midnight, and was produced by Hartman and Jimmy Iovine. Midnight would also provide backing vocals on the song. Like the rest of the album, “Second Nature” was recorded at Hartman’s own home studio “Multi-Level” and was mixed at Image Recording in Los Angeles.

As the fourth and final single from the album, “Second Nature” continued the success of the album’s title track which was a Top 10 hit in America. The second single “We Are the Young” had peaked at #25, however, the third single “Name of the Game” did not become a commercial success. “Second Nature” returned Hartman to the Top 40, where it peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100, lasting a total of 12 weeks on the chart. It also made #40 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles Chart, where it lasted on the chart for 4 weeks, and #19 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, where it lasted on the chart for 7 weeks. “Second Nature” would be Hartman’s last charting single in America within his solo career.

In the UK the single peaked at #66, after “I Can Dream About You” had only reached #78 in late 1984. Following “Second Nature” the song would be re-released and peaked at #12 in the UK. “Second Nature” did gain some minor success in UK clubs and brought back echoes from the days of his 1978 hit “Instant Replay”, which had been a Top 10 hit in the country.

In the February 16, 1985, issue of Billboard magazine, the song was listed twice under the Hot 100 Singles Radio Action section. It was noted that “Second Nature” was within the Top 3 songs played within Regions 1 and 3, both covering the far eastern side of America. Region 1 included such places as New York area, and Region 3 included states such as Florida. By the issue of March 9, 1985, under Hot 100 Singles Retail Action, the song was listed as one of Top 3 in Regions 6, 7 and 8.

In a 1984 interview with Hartman, he described the song’s meaning. He revealed “Second Nature” is a good old love song. It’s like a song about being elated and excited and in love, and how much just every day of life is made easy.”

SIDE A:
Second Nature (Extended Version) 7:15

SIDE B:
Second Nature (Dub Version) 6:41
Second Nature (LP Version) 3:56

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1985	Second Nature	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#39
1985	Second Nature	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	#40

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records ‎– MCA-23535
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Producer – Dan Hartman, Jimmy Iovine
Remix – John Luongo (tracks: A, B1)
Written-By –C. Midnight*, D. Hartman*

NOTES:
From the MCA LP “I CAN DREAM ABOUT YOU”

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi