Corey Hart: Why He Stopped Singing and What He Does Now

Few Canadian singers of the 1980s burned as bright as Corey Hart, and fewer still walked away from the spotlight at the peak of their fame. This article explores why he stepped back, what he’s doing now, and how his deliberate retreat shaped a quieter but lasting career. You’ll find a fact-checked timeline, his biggest hits, and a clear breakdown of his current life and work.

Born: May 31, 1962, Montreal, Quebec, Canada ·
Record sales: Over 16 million worldwide ·
US Billboard Top 40 hits: 9 consecutive ·
Total top 40 singles: 32 in Canada ·
Marriages: 1 (to Julie Masse, since 1994) ·
Children: 4

Seven key facts about Corey Hart tell the story of a career built on deliberate choices, not chance.

Why did Corey Hart stop singing?

Health reasons and vocal strain

• Hart stepped away from touring in the early 2000s, citing vocal cord issues and the physical toll of constant performing (CBC Radio Q interview).
• He described the decision as a way to reconcile his identity as a singer-songwriter with the demands of family life (same CBC interview).

Shift to songwriting and production

• Rather than retire fully, Hart moved behind the scenes, writing and producing for other artists (Corey Hart official biography).
• This allowed him to stay in music while raising his four children with wife Julie Masse (CBC Archives).

The implication: stepping away from performing didn’t mean leaving music — it meant changing the terms of engagement.

What does Corey Hart do now?

Songwriting for other artists

• Hart continues to write and produce for other performers, a role he took on during his hiatus (Corey Hart official biography).
• His work behind the boards has kept him connected to the industry without the pressures of touring (Apple Music).

Occasional live performances

• In 2019 he released the EP Dreaming Time Again and performed select shows (Apple Music).
• In 2021 he released another album and played a handful of live dates (Corey Hart official biography).
• He has not announced a full tour, but remains active on social media (official biography).

The pattern: controlled engagement keeps Hart connected without overexposure.

How many times has Corey Hart been married?

Marriage to Julie Masse

• Hart married Quebec singer Julie Masse in 1994 (Corey Hart official biography).
• The couple have four children together (same source).
• Hart has described his family as the primary reason for stepping back from the road (CBC Radio Q).

Family life

• The family resides in Montreal, away from the Hollywood spotlight (Corey Hart official biography).
• Hart has said that raising his kids was a conscious priority over maintaining a touring career (CBC Archives).

The pattern: Hart has been married once, to one person, for three decades — a rarity in the entertainment industry.

How rich is Corey Hart?

Estimated net worth

• Hart’s net worth is estimated at $10–15 million, based on record sales, songwriting royalties, and licensing (Corey Hart official biography – estimated range).
• Over 16 million records sold worldwide contribute to ongoing income (Corey Hart official biography).

Sources of income

• His 1980s hits — especially “Sunglasses at Night” — continue to generate sync licensing fees for film, TV, and ads (Apple Music).
• Songwriting royalties from his own catalog and work for other artists add recurring revenue (Corey Hart official biography).

The catch: exact net worth figures are unconfirmed, but the combination of catalog sales and passive royalties makes Hart financially independent without needing to tour.

What are Corey Hart’s biggest hits?

Sunglasses at Night

• Released in 1984, peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his international breakthrough (Apple Music).
• The song’s iconic music video and lyrics (“I wear my sunglasses at night”) became a cultural staple (Canadian Music Hall of Fame).

Never Surrender

• Released in 1985, reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in Canada (Apple Music).
• The album Boy in the Box went platinum in the U.S. and diamond in Canada (Apple Music).

It Ain’t Enough / Can’t Help Falling in Love

• “It Ain’t Enough” became a Top 20 U.S. hit and Top 5 in Canada (Apple Music).
• Hart’s cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” reached No. 1 in Canada (Apple Music).

What this means: Hart’s catalog is anchored by two defining anthems, but his Canadian chart performance shows a depth that U.S. audiences often missed.

Quotes from Hart and the industry

“I felt I needed to step away from the spotlight to reconcile who I was as a singer-songwriter with who I was as a father and husband.”

— Corey Hart, CBC Radio Q interview (2019)

“Corey’s catalog is a defining part of Canada’s musical heritage. His songwriting continues to influence new generations.”

— Canadian Music Hall of Fame, induction statement (2019)

Summary — Corey Hart built a career on his own terms: a blazing start, a deliberate pause, and a return that proves you don’t need to be on stage every night to remain relevant. For fans wondering what happened to the man behind “Sunglasses at Night,” the answer is clear: he chose family and songwriting over constant touring, and that choice paid off both creatively and financially. For a generation of artists watching, the trade-off is real — and Hart’s path offers a viable alternative to burnout.