"Pawn Hearts" is the fourth album by English progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator, released on November 12, 1971, under Charisma Records. The album is structured around three lengthy tracks, notably the side-long epic "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers." While it didn't achieve commercial success in the UK, it surprisingly reached number one in Italy. Over time, "Pawn Hearts" has garnered critical acclaim and was reissued on CD in 2005 with additional material.
The album's compositions were developed during the band's 1971 tour and further refined at manager Tony Stratton Smith's house in Sussex. Originally conceived as a double album, Charisma Records opted for a single LP release. The non-album single "Theme One" was included on some US and Canadian releases. Despite the album's success in Italy prompting lucrative tours, the band disbanded in August 1972 due to the pressure and internal conflicts stemming from their intense schedule.
