House of Love is the eleventh studio album by Christian and Pop singer Amy Grant , released in 1994.
Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [ 1]
The album is the follow-up to her quintuple-platinum 1991 release Heart in Motion . Although House of Love sold less than half of what its predecessor sold, it similarly combines pop music with Christian values. "Lucky One " was the album's biggest hit at No. 18 Pop and No. 2 Adult Contemporary in the U.S., followed by the title song and a remake of Joni Mitchell 's "Big Yellow Taxi ". "Say You'll Be Mine " also was a UK Top 50 hit. When it was released in 1994, House of Love was the biggest initial release in Christian music history, shipping almost a half million copies on its first day alone.
Copies of this album sold in Europe, Australia, and Japan feature the additional track "Politics of Kissing". Some of the album's other tracks garnered more notice later on when covered by other artists. "The Power" (written by Tommy Sims and Judson Spence ) is featured on Cher 's 1998 album Believe , and Vanessa Williams had an AC hit with her version of "Oh How the Years Go By " (written by Simon Climie and Will Jennings ) from her 1997 album Next .[citation needed ]
In 2007, House of Love was reissued and digitally remastered by Grant's new record label, EMI /Sparrow Records . The remastered edition is labeled with a "Digitally Remastered" logo in the 'gutter' on the CD front.[ 2]
On September 27, 2024, in celebration of the album's 30th anniversary, it was reissued in expanded form: the original 11-song album with the inclusion of the non-album b-sides ("Politics of Kissing" and "Life’s Gonna Change"), remixes, alternate mixes, and re-recordings of previously released songs. Released in two formats: a 2-CD/digital version and a 2-LP version with the non-album b-sides and selected track mixes from the 2-CD/digital version.[ 3]
Title Writer(s) 1. "Lucky One " Amy Grant , Keith Thomas 4:11 2. "Say You'll Be Mine " Grant, Wayne Kirkpatrick , Thomas 4:04 3. "Whatever It Takes" Grant, Gary Chapman , Thomas 4:10 4. "House of Love " (duet with Vince Gill ) Greg Barnhill, Kenny Greenberg , Wally Wilson 4:38 5. "The Power" Tommy Sims , Judson Spence 3:54 6. "Oh How the Years Go By " Simon Climie , Will Jennings 5:12 7. "Big Yellow Taxi " Joni Mitchell 3:01 8. "Helping Hand" Grant, Beverly Darnall, Sims 4:39 9. "Love Has a Hold On Me" Grant, Thomas 3:55 10. "Our Love" Grant, Tom Hemby 5:08 11. "Children of the World" Grant, Kirkpatrick, Sims 5:16
For the UK version of the album, the "Big Yellow Taxi" b-side "Politics of Kissing" is listed as track 9 (in between "Helping Hand" and "Love Has a Hold On Me") and "Say You'll Be Mine" (Radio Mix) is listed as track 13, closing out the album.
30th Anniversary Expanded Edition (disc one bonus tracks)[ 4] Title Writer(s) 12. "House of Love" (Michael Omartian Version) Barnhill, Greenberg, Wilson 4:12 13. "Oh How the Years Go By" (Keith Thomas Version) Climie, Jennings 5:00
30th Anniversary Expanded Edition (disc two)[ 4] Title Writer(s) 1. "The Power" (2024 Version) Sims, Spence 3:30 2. "Helping Hand" (2024 Version) Grant, Darnall, Sims 4:24 3. "Politics of Kissing" ("Big Yellow Taxi" b-side) Grant, Kirkpatrick, Clif Magness 4:14 4. "Life's Gonna Change" ("Say You'll Be Mine" b-side) Grant, Michael Omartian 3:42 5. "House of Love" (The Classic Philly Soul Mix) Barnhill, Greenberg, Wilson 4:31 6. "Lucky One" (The Lucky Street Mix) Grant, Thomas 3:57 7. "Big Yellow Taxi" (The Alternate Paradise Mix) Mitchell 3:02 8. "House of Love" (The South Street Mix) Barnhill, Greenberg, Wilson 4:35 9. "Lucky One" (The A/C Rhythm Mix) Grant, Thomas 3:42 10. "Say You’ll Be Mine" (Radio Mix) Grant, Kirkpatrick, Thomas 3:37 11. "Lucky One" (Remix) Grant, Thomas 4:05 12. "Big Yellow Taxi" (The Paradise Mix) Mitchell 3:05 13. "Children of the World" / "Jesus Loves the Little Children " Grant, Kirkpatrick, Sims / Traditional 5:37 14. "Lucky One" (Kupper Radio) Grant, Thomas 3:41 15. "Oh How The Years Go By" (Radio Mix with Intro) Climie, Jennings 5:15 16. "Lucky One" (Kupper 12” Mix) Grant, Thomas 5:20 17. "Lucky One" (Churban 12” Mix) Grant, Thomas 5:42
Amy Grant – lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 2, 8, 11)
Keith Thomas – acoustic piano (1, 2, 3, 9), synthesizers (1–4, 9, 11), bass programming (1, 2, 3, 9), drum programming (1, 3), electric piano (4), additional synthesizer programming (5), percussion programming (9, 11)
Phil Madeira – Hammond B3 organ (4, 11)
Michael Omartian – keyboards (6, 7, 8, 10), drum sequencing (8), horn arrangements (8)
Tom Hemby – keyboards (10), guitars (10), drum programming (10)
Jerry McPherson – electric guitars (1, 3, 4, 11), guitars (7)
Scott Denté – acoustic guitars (1, 11)
Will Owsley – acoustic guitars (1, 5)
Dann Huff – electric guitars (2), guitars (6, 8), acoustic guitar (9)
Kenny Greenberg – acoustic guitars (4), electric guitars (4)
Jerry Douglas – dobro (5)
Brent Rowan – guitars (7), mandolin (7)
Gary Chapman – lap steel guitar (7), backing vocals (7)
Tommy Sims – bass guitar (1, 4, 11), synthesizers (5), bass programming (5), drum programming (5), backing vocals (5)
Danny O'Lannerghty – bass guitar (7)
Mark Hammond – drum programming (1, 2, 3), drums (9)
Chad Cromwell – drums (4, 11)
Chris McHugh – drums (6, 7)
Terry McMillan – percussion (4)
Eric Darken – percussion (7)
Mark Douthit – saxophone (8), soprano saxophone (10)
Doug Moffett – saxophone (8)
Mike Haynes – trumpet (8)
George Tidwell – trumpet (8)
Mark O'Connor – violin (11)
Ronn Huff – string arrangements and conductor (5)
Carl Gorodetzsky – string contractor (5)
The Nashville String Machine – strings (5)
Lisa Keith – backing vocals (1)
Athena Cage – background vocals (1, 3)
Ada Dyer – backing vocals (2–5)
Judson Spence – backing vocals (2–5), acoustic guitars (5)
Audrey Wheeler – backing vocals (2–5)
Vince Gill – guest vocals (4)
Ashley Cleveland – backing vocals (6, 7, 8)
Donna McElroy – backing vocals (6, 8)
Michael Mellett – backing vocals (6, 7, 8)
Lisa Bevill – backing vocals (7)
Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals (8)
Beverly Darnall – choir contractor (11)
Leann Albrecht – adult choir (11)
Jackie Cusic – adult choir (11)
Beverly Darnall – adult choir (11)
Lisa Glasgow – adult choir (11)
Gail Farrell – adult choir (11)
Sarah Huffman – adult choir (11)
Ellen Musick – adult choir (11)
Kristine Stroupe – adult choir (11)
Leah Taylor – adult choir (11)
Melodie Tunney – adult choir (11)
Butch Curry – adult choir (11)
Rick Gibson – adult choir (11)
David Holloway – adult choir (11)
Michael Mellett – adult choir (11)
Donny Monk – adult choir (11)
Guy Penrod – adult choir (11)
Gary Robinson – adult choir (11)
Beau Stroupe – adult choir (11)
Scott Williamson – adult choir (11)
Chris Willis – adult choir (11)
Katy Dunham – children choir (11)
Aubrey Hunt – children choir (11)
Shannon Love – children choir (11)
Mary Catherine Musick – children choir (11)
Isaac Darnall – children choir (11)
Lance High – children choir (11)
Asher Larrison – children choir (11)
Trevor Matheison – children choir (11)
Production
Keith Thomas – producer (1–5, 9, 11)
Michael Omartian – producer (6, 7, 8, 10)
Amy Grant – executive producer
Michael Blanton – executive producer
Brown Bannister – executive producer
Todd Moore – production coordinator (1–5, 9, 11)
Suzy Martinez – production coordinator (6, 7, 8, 10)
Bill Whittington – engineer, mixing (1–5, 9, 11)
Terry Christian – engineer (6, 7, 8, 10), mixing (7, 8, 10)
Mick Guzauski – mixing (6)
Shawn McLean – assistant engineer (1–5, 9, 11)
Greg Parker – assistant engineer (1–5, 9, 11)
Scott Link – assistant engineer (6, 7, 8, 10)
Keith Robichaux – assistant engineer (6, 7, 8, 10)
Mark J. Capps – assistant engineer (6, 7, 8, 10)
John Dickson – assistant engineer (6, 7, 8, 10)
James Dineen – additional engineering (6, 7, 8, 10)
Danny Duncan – MIDI assistant (5)
Stephen Marcussen – mastering
Norman Moore – art direction, design
Richard Frankel – art direction
Albert Sanchez – photography
Chart (1994)
Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA )[ 5]
127
US Billboard 200
13
US Top Contemporary Christian
1
Chart (1994)
Position
Billboard Top Contemporary Christian Albums
17
End-of-decade charts
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Chart (1990–1999)
Rank
US Billboard Top Contemporary Christian[ 6]
9
Certifications and sales
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