After releasing an LP record in France and an unsuccessful foray into disco in Germany, Corazón de poeta was Jeanette's return to fame, as well as to the soft, sentimental ballads she had been known for.

Corazón de poeta intended to reinvent Jeanette's childlike image into a more mature one, reflected in its erotic tone and its promotional campaign.

Jeanette had previously worked with Corazon de poeta's composer Manuel Alejandro in her solo debut single "Soy rebelde", released in 1971 on Hispavox.

The orchestral song was a departure from the folk rock-influenced style of her previous group Pic-Nic, and established Jeanette as an internationally renowned melodic singer.

[2] After the European success of her hit single "Porque te vas"—popularized by its inclusion in the 1976 film Cría cuervos—Jeanette found herself working mostly abroad.

In a 1981 interview with Heraldo de Aragón, Jeanette explained: "... it can be said that [on the album] there is a bit of everything, although what predominates are the soft songs, which is my usual style and where I am most comfortable.

"[nb 1][4] "El muchacho de los ojos tristes" has been likened to French chanson due to its instrumentation and melody.

[6][14] In addition to Spain, RCA Victor was responsible for the album's release in Peru,[15] Venezuela,[16] Bolivia,[17] Mexico,[18] Ecuador,[19] and the United States.

[26] "El muchacho de los ojos tristes"—backed by "Toda la noche oliendo a tí"—was released as the album's third and final single in 1982.

When I started to record the album Corazón de poeta, production told me that it was time to become a woman and leave the childish side that everyone knew.

[35] Corazón de poeta was a commercial success in Spain and Ibero-American countries such as Argentina and Chile (where it became number one on the album charts),[37] Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil.

[40] On 19 October 1981, Promusicae awarded Corazón de poeta the Gold certification at nightclub Long Play, in recognition of having sold 100,000 copies.

[11] According to Lafonoteca's Julián Molero, it "obtained a surely unexpected success at the beginning of its publication and became one of the most representative titles of Jeanette's career.

"[9] Julián Molero described it as "her most famous album whose songs thirty years later continue to sound in the musical thread of the big surfaces and some stations specialized in retromusic that serve as background to any work activity.

[51][52] Por Qué Jeanette, a Spanish post-punk tribute band focusing on the singer, have released several reinterpretations of songs off Corazón de poeta, including the title track, "Cuando estoy con él", "Toda la noche oliendo a tí", "Acabaré llorando", "Un día es un día", "Comiénzame a vivir" and "Frente a frente".

It includes cover versions of "Si te vas, te vas" by Chico Unicornio, "Corazón de poeta" by Carmen Sandiego, "El muchacho de los ojos tristes" by Niza, "Cuando estoy con él" by Sexores and "Frente a frente" by Los Waldners.

[55] In 2016, Jeanette re-recorded "Toda la noche oliendo a tí" alongside fellow ballad singer Juan Bau, which was released as a single on Regalia Records.

[57] Chicano rapper Conejo sampled "Corazón de poeta" in "Coins Like Judas", a song off his 2014 album Favela Tres.