House of Love (Amy Grant album)

House of Love is the eleventh studio album by Christian and Pop singer Amy Grant, released in 1994.

House of Love
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 23, 1994
Recorded1993–1994
Studio
GenrePop, contemporary Christian music
Length48:08
LabelA&M, Myrrh
Producer
Amy Grant chronology
Home for Christmas
(1992)
House of Love
(1994)
Behind the Eyes
(1997)
Singles from House of Love
  1. "Lucky One"
    Released: 1994
  2. "House of Love"
    Released: November 28, 1994
  3. "Say You'll Be Mine"
    Released: 1994
  4. "Big Yellow Taxi"
    Released: March 1995
  5. "Oh How the Years Go By"
    Released: 1995
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
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]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lucky One"Amy Grant, Keith Thomas4:11
2."Say You'll Be Mine"Grant, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Thomas4:04
3."Whatever It Takes"Grant, Gary Chapman, Thomas4:10
4."House of Love" (duet with Vince Gill)Greg Barnhill, Kenny Greenberg, Wally Wilson4:38
5."The Power"Tommy Sims, Judson Spence3:54
6."Oh How the Years Go By"Simon Climie, Will Jennings5:12
7."Big Yellow Taxi"Joni Mitchell3:01
8."Helping Hand"Grant, Beverly Darnall, Sims4:39
9."Love Has a Hold On Me"Grant, Thomas3:55
10."Our Love"Grant, Tom Hemby5:08
11."Children of the World"Grant, Kirkpatrick, Sims5:16
  • 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]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."House of Love" (Michael Omartian Version)Barnhill, Greenberg, Wilson4:12
13."Oh How the Years Go By" (Keith Thomas Version)Climie, Jennings5:00
30th Anniversary Expanded Edition (disc two)[4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Power" (2024 Version)Sims, Spence3:30
2."Helping Hand" (2024 Version)Grant, Darnall, Sims4:24
3."Politics of Kissing" ("Big Yellow Taxi" b-side)Grant, Kirkpatrick, Clif Magness4:14
4."Life's Gonna Change" ("Say You'll Be Mine" b-side)Grant, Michael Omartian3:42
5."House of Love" (The Classic Philly Soul Mix)Barnhill, Greenberg, Wilson4:31
6."Lucky One" (The Lucky Street Mix)Grant, Thomas3:57
7."Big Yellow Taxi" (The Alternate Paradise Mix)Mitchell3:02
8."House of Love" (The South Street Mix)Barnhill, Greenberg, Wilson4:35
9."Lucky One" (The A/C Rhythm Mix)Grant, Thomas3:42
10."Say You’ll Be Mine" (Radio Mix)Grant, Kirkpatrick, Thomas3:37
11."Lucky One" (Remix)Grant, Thomas4:05
12."Big Yellow Taxi" (The Paradise Mix)Mitchell3:05
13."Children of the World" / "Jesus Loves the Little Children"Grant, Kirkpatrick, Sims / Traditional5:37
14."Lucky One" (Kupper Radio)Grant, Thomas3:41
15."Oh How The Years Go By" (Radio Mix with Intro)Climie, Jennings5:15
16."Lucky One" (Kupper 12” Mix)Grant, Thomas5:20
17."Lucky One" (Churban 12” Mix)Grant, Thomas5:42

Personnel

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  • 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 MadeiraHammond 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 Douglasdobro (5)
  • Brent Rowan – guitars (7), mandolin (7)
  • Gary Chapmanlap 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

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Chart (1994) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[5] 127
US Billboard 200 13
US Top Contemporary Christian 1

Year-end charts

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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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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[7] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[8] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ House of Love at AllMusic
  2. ^ Sparrow Records News [dead link]
  3. ^ "Amy Grant To Release 'House Of Love' Expanded Anniversary Edition September 27". CCM Magazine. August 9, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "AMY GRANT'S HOUSE OF LOVE Expanded Anniversary Edition is available now!". Jesus Freak Hideout. September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Amy Grant ARIA chart history, received from ARIA in May 2024". ARIA. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  6. ^ "Top Christian Albums 1990s". Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  7. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Amy Grant – House of Love". Music Canada. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  8. ^ "American album certifications – Amy Grant – House of Love". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 29, 2019.