It was recorded by Joni Paladin, under the pseudonym Jamie Bond, and produced by George Duke for the soundtrack to the film The Heavenly Kid.
[2][3] While the single received airplay in 1985,[4][5][6] six years later in 1991, as reported by Shelly Weiss in Cashbox, "Heart Of Love" MJQ Majic 102.5, Buffalo, Program Director Hank Nevins caught the movie on HBO and put the song on the air.
[7] The sensational reaction of listeners from Buffalo, Rochester, and Toronto moved "Heart Of Love" into power rotation.
[8] Pressed By – Allied Record Company Billboard gave a "Recommended Pick" which said: "Ballad from the "Heavenly Kid" soundtrack; fans of Whitney Houston should take note of a comparable talent."
William Ruhlmann, writing for AllMusic, described the songs on "If My Heart Had Wings": "Melissa Manchester's first album of new material in a decade was filled with big, dramatic ballads and widescreen production values.