Corey Hart

Corey Hart – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life, musical journey, and enduring influence of Canadian singer-songwriter Corey Hart (born May 31, 1962). From Sunglasses at Night to Never Surrender, learn his story, achievements, and memorable quotes.

Introduction: Who Is Corey Hart?

Corey Mitchell Hart (born May 31, 1962) is a Canadian singer, musician, and songwriter best known for his hit singles “Sunglasses at Night” and “Never Surrender.” 16 million records worldwide and scored multiple Top 40 hits in both Canada and the U.S.

Hart’s influence persists not just in nostalgia for the 1980s, but in how he balanced commercial success with personal expression, evolving through changes in his life, family, and musical priorities.

Early Life and Family

Corey Hart was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as the youngest of five children to Mina (née Weber) and Robert Hart.

He developed a particularly close bond with his mother, a relationship that later inspired dedicating his first album First Offense to her.

From a young age, he showed musical inclination: at age 11, he recorded a cover of “Ben” (made famous by Michael Jackson) and also worked with Paul Anka in Las Vegas. These early steps reveal how music was more than a hobby—it became a means of expression and identity.

Youth and Musical Beginnings

Hart’s teenage years saw him experimenting with songwriting, performance, and demo recordings. In 1980, he represented Canada at the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo—one of his early validations as a songwriter and performer.

To break into the industry, he recorded demos and reached out to established artists. One notable connection was with Billy Joel, whose backup band assisted Hart in recording demos in Long Island, New York.

Thus, Hart’s early career was shaped by persistence, musical ambition, and leveraging opportunities through networking and demo work.

Career and Achievements

Breakthrough: First Offense & “Sunglasses at Night”

His debut album, First Offense, was recorded in England (Manchester) in 1982 and released in 1983. “Sunglasses at Night”, which peaked at #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

First Offense achieved national success—going quadruple platinum in Canada—and marked Hart’s arrival in both his home country and the U.S. market.

Interestingly, Eric Clapton played the closing track “Jenny Fey” on that album, an unexpected collaboration for a debut project.

Peak Success: Boy in the Box & “Never Surrender”

His second album, Boy in the Box (1985), is one of his most iconic works. “Never Surrender”, which held the No. 1 spot in Canada for nine weeks and peaked at No. 3 in the U.S.

This period was arguably Hart's commercial high. His success earned him multiple Juno awards and nominations, as well as recognition in the Canadian music industry.

Continuing Albums & Career Evolutions

• Young Man Running (1988): This album included the U.S. Top 40 hit “In Your Soul” and showed Hart taking more artistic control, producing parts himself.

• Bang! and Attitude & Virtue (late 1980s / early 1990s): These albums continued to chart, especially in Canada, though U.S. success was less dramatic.

• Hart also wrote and produced for other artists. He co-wrote songs for Julie Masse (whom he married later), and he co-wrote tracks for Céline Dion.

In the mid-1990s, Hart scaled back from touring and recording to focus on his family and personal life. Ten Thousand Horses (EP) in 2014 and the Dreaming Time Again EP in 2019.

In 2019, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and he performed on that occasion during the Juno Awards.

Most recently, in 2020 he released an updated version of “Never Surrender” with revised lyrics reflecting resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards & Legacy

• Hart has had nine U.S. Billboard Top 40 hits.

• In Canada, 30 of his recordings reached the Top 40, with 11 in the Top 10.

• His albums First Offense, Boy in the Box, and Fields of Fire achieved Platinum or better status in the U.S. and Canada.

• He earned several Juno Awards, numerous nominations, and national recognition, including induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Hart’s career reflects both commercial pop success and a willingness to pivot—to back away when needed, to put family first, and to reemerge on his own terms. That balance has become part of his enduring narrative.

Personality and Talents

From his interviews, lyrics, and career choices, a few traits and talents stand out:

• Emotional honesty: Hart’s writing often touches on personal struggle, identity, and relationships (e.g. his tension with his father expressed in “Reconcile”).

• Melodic craftsmanship: His songs tend to combine strong hooks with atmospheric production—especially in his prime 1980s era work.

• Resilience and reinvention: Throughout career ebbs and flows, Hart has shown ability to adapt—shifting focus, returning in new modes, and embracing new themes.

• Artistic integrity: He often turned down film or commercial tie-ins, preferring to write and record on his own terms.

• Balance between public and private life: His decision to step back to raise a family, relocate, and manage his career reflects a valuing of personal life not purely fame.

Famous Quotes of Corey Hart

Here are several notable quotes attributed to Corey Hart:

“Truth Will Set U Free is about honesty. My philosophic belief that ultimately being true to yourself is liberating, with every individual’s inalienable right to be who they are without fear or recrimination.”

“Music was my oxygen. It’s what saved me from being a really lonely and scared teenager.”

“No one can take away your right to fight and never surrender.”

“My idea of a romantic night is to watch action films.”

“It’s weird. Prior to having my first record, Corey Hart was just my name.”

“I became somewhat reclusive during a period of time in the ’80s.”

These quotes reveal Hart’s focus on authenticity, introspection, struggle, and perseverance—core themes echoed across his songs.

Lessons from Corey Hart

From Hart’s life and career, we can draw lessons applicable to artists, creators, and anyone striving in life:

1. Be true to your voice
   Hart’s success came when he wrote from personal conviction rather than trend chasing. His quote about honesty underscores that.

2. Persistence matters
   From demo recordings, networking, and gradual breakthrough, his path was seldom instantaneous. The slow build matters.

3. Know when to rest & reset
   He paused, reoriented, focused on family, and later returned creatively. Understanding one’s limits is part of longevity.

4. Evolve without losing integrity
   He shifted musical style, medium, and focus, but didn’t abandon his artistic identity.

5. Art can heal
   Hart said music saved him in isolation. Many artists find creative outlets as a way to process inner life.

6. Balance public success & private life
   His decision to step away for family shows that artistic careers don’t have to consume everything.

Conclusion

Corey Hart is more than an ’80s pop icon: his life is a testament to artistry, authenticity, resilience, and the interplay between public success and inward depth. Through hits like “Sunglasses at Night” and “Never Surrender,” Hart left a mark on popular music. But his story—of struggle, reinvention, and prioritizing what matters most—offers lasting inspiration beyond the charts.