The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album
Soundtrack album by
Whitney Houston
ReleasedNovember 26, 1996
RecordedJanuary – February 1996
Genre
Length62:20
Label
Producer
Whitney Houston chronology
The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album
(1992)		 The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album
(1996)		 My Love Is Your Love
(1998)
Singles from The Preacher's Wife
  1. "I Believe in You and Me"
    Released: December 10, 1996
  2. "Step by Step"
    Released: February 24, 1997
  3. "My Heart Is Calling"
    Released: June 10, 1997

The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album is the soundtrack to the 1996 film of the same name and features songs performed and produced by American singer Whitney Houston, who also stars in the film. The soundtrack was released on November 26, 1996, by Arista Records and BMG Entertainment. With sales of 6 million copies worldwide, it is the best-selling gospel album of all time.[2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Billboard(favorable)[3]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[4]
The New York Times(favorable)[5]
Rolling Stone[6]

Music critics saw a more emotionally engaged side of Houston, particularly with the soundtrack's gospel offerings. “For the first time in her 12-year recording career, Houston sounds genuinely moved by her material. Early on she stumbles through the Annie Lennox-penned "Step By Step," but the presence of the Georgia Mass Choir on six subsequent tracks melts her frosty reserve,” People magazine wrote.[7]

Commercial performance

Released on November 26, 1996, The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 albums chart on the issue dated December 14, 1996, selling 90,500 units in the first week.[8] On its second week, the album jumped to number four on the chart with the Greatest Gainer mark, and the following week reached number three, which was the album's peak position.[9][10] The album also debuted at number eight on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart, and in three weeks later, peaked at the number one and remained there for two weeks, becoming her fourth number one album on the chart.[11][12] It stayed for a total of 43 weeks and 49 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart and the Top R&B Albums chart respectively.[11][13]

In addition, the soundtrack was more successful on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. It debuted straight at number one, becoming the first album by a female solo artist to do so and spent 26 consecutive weeks at the top from December 14, 1996, to June 7, 1997. It remained on the chart for 117 weeks during its initial run.[14][15] It has since returned to the Top Gospel Albums chart for 44 more weeks, bringing its total to 161 cumulative weeks. Eventually the album became number one gospel album on the 1997 Billboard Top Gospel Albums year-end chart and also "Best-selling Gospel Recording" by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) in 1996–1997.[16][17] It was certified 3× Platinum for shipping 3 million copies in the United States alone by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 30, 1998.[18] According to the Nielsen SoundScan, as of 2012, the Gospel album has sold 2,627,000 copies in the United States alone,[2] outranking the 2,025,000 copies sold by Madonna's Evita soundtrack, which was released two weeks earlier than Houston's album.[19]

Prior to the album's release, music industry insiders had expected The Preacher's Wife soundtrack to "do at least as well as" Waiting to Exhale's soundtrack, which sold 5,100,000 copies in the United States.[20]

Singles

The lead single, "I Believe in You and Me" (a cover of The Four Tops classic), became a top five hit in the U.S.[21] and was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 40th Grammy Awards, where the soundtrack overall was nominated for Best R&B Album.[22]

"Step by Step" was another hit single, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "My Heart Is Calling" became the soundtrack's final release.

"Lay Aside Every Weight", covered and performed by Georgia Mass Choir and Whitney Houston, appears in the film but not on the motion picture soundtrack for unknown reasons.

Promotion and appearances

Pacific Rim Tour

Chart success of the soundtrack and its hit singles, "I Believe in You and Me" and "Step By Step", the singer further promoted the album and singles touring across Asia, Australia, and in North America. Known as the Pacific Rim Tour, Houston played shows in Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Australia and Hawaii. The setlist featured tracks from the album, as well as duet performances of "Count On Me" with singer CeCe Winans and "In Return" at select shows in Japan.

Date Title Details
December 13, 1996 Rosie O'Donnell Show
  • Houston is interviewed by Rosie O'Donnell to promote The Preacher's Wife film and her soundtrack album.[23]
December 14, 1996 Saturday Night Live
  • Houston performed "I Believe in You and Me" and "I Go to The Rock".
March 15, 1997 UK National Lottery Show
  • Houston performed "I Believe in You and Me" and later followed by a brief interview broadcast live on the BBC in the United Kingdom.

Track listing

All tracks are produced by Houston and Mervyn Warren, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Believe in You and Me" (film version)
 4:01
2."Step by Step"Annie LennoxStephen Lipson4:12
3."Joy" (with the Georgia Mass Choir)Kirk Franklin 3:16
4."Hold On, Help Is on the Way" (with the Georgia Mass Choir)Rev. Kenneth Paden 3:09
5."I Go to the Rock" (with the Georgia Mass Choir)Dottie Rambo 4:05
6."I Love the Lord" (with the Georgia Mass Choir)Richard Smallwood 4:57
7."Somebody Bigger Than You and I" (Featuring Bobby Brown, Faith Evans, Johnny Gill, Monica and Ralph Tresvant)
4:42
8."You Were Loved"Diane WarrenBabyface4:13
9."My Heart Is Calling"BabyfaceBabyface4:14
10."I Believe in You and Me" (single version)
  • David Wolfert
  • Sandy Linzer
David Foster3:52
11."Step by Step" (Remix)Annie LennoxRemixed by Teddy Riley4:34
12."Who Would Imagine a King"
  • Mervyn Warren
  • Hallerin Hilton Hill
 3:31
13."He's All Over Me" (with Shirley Caesar and the Georgia Mass Choir)Alvin Darling 3:53
14."The Lord Is My Shepherd" (performed by Cissy Houston with Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir)Traditional 4:24
15."Joy to the World" (with the Georgia Mass Choir)Isaac Watts 4:41

Charts

Certifications and sales

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[53] Gold 35,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[54] Platinum 100,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[55] Platinum 20,000*
Italy (FIMI)[56] Gold 50,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[57] 2× Platinum 400,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[58] Gold 50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[59] Gold 40,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[60] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[61] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[62] 3× Platinum 2,471,000[63]
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[64] Platinum 1,000,000*
Worldwide — 6,000,000[2]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Accolades

American Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1998The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack AlbumFavorite Soundtrack[65]Nominated

Blockbuster Entertainment Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1997The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack AlbumFavorite Female, R&B[66]Won
1998The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack AlbumFavorite Soundtrack[67]Nominated

Essence Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1997Whitney Houston (herself)The Triumphant Spirit Award[68][69]Won

GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1997Special AwardOutstanding Mainstream Contribution to Gospel Music[70]Won
1998"I Go to the Rock"Traditional Gospel Song of the Year (with Dottie Rambo)[71][72]Won

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1998The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack AlbumBest R&B Album[73]Nominated
"I Believe in You and Me"Best Female R&B Vocal Performance[73]Nominated

NAACP Image Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1997The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack AlbumOutstanding Gospel Artist (with Georgia Mass Choir)[74][75][76]Won
Outstanding Album[74][75][76]Won

The NARM Best Seller Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1997The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack AlbumBest-selling Gospel Recording[17]Won

People's Choice Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1998Whitney Houston (herself)Favorite Female Musical Performer (tied with Reba McEntire)[77][78]Won

Soul Train Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1998Special AwardThe 1998 Quincy Jones Award — for Outstanding Career Achievements in the field of entertainment[79][80]Won

Trumpet Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1998Whitney Houston (herself)The Pinnacle Award[81][82]Won

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Stephen Thomas Erlewine (December 23, 1996). "The Preacher's Wife - Whitney Houston | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Green, Matt. "Whitney Houston". Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ Verna, Paul (November 30, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Albums" (PDF). Billboard. p. 79. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  4. ↑ Willman, Chris (November 29, 1996). "Big Screen Divas". Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  5. ↑ "The Pop Life". New York Times. November 21, 1996. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Whitney Houston: Album Guide | Rolling Stone Music". Rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  7. ↑ ‘Picks and Pans Review: The Preacher’s Wife’ People Jan. 13, 1997
  8. ↑ Geoff Mayfield (December 14, 1996). Between the Bullets: Watch What Happens. Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  9. ↑ Geoff Mayfield (December 21, 1996). Between the bullets: Tube Talk. Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  10. ↑ The Billboard 200 chart listing for the week of December 28, 1996. Billboard. December 28, 1996. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  11. 1 2 "The Billboard Top R&B Albums chart listing for the week of January 11, 1997". January 11, 1997. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  12. ↑ Gail Mitchell (December 14, 2002). Arista Aims New Houston Album at 'Core Urban' Fans. Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  13. ↑ "The Billboard 200 chart listing for the week of January 4, 1997". Billboard. January 4, 1997. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  14. ↑ Datu Faison (December 14, 1996). Datu Faison's Rhythm Section. Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  15. ↑ Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart listing for the week of June 7, 1997. Billboard. June 7, 1997. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  16. ↑ Billboard 1997 The Year in Music: Top Gospel Albums Year-End chart listing. Billboard. December 27, 1997. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  17. 1 2 NARM Names Its Best Seller Awards. Billboard. April 12, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  18. ↑ "RIAA certification for The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack Album". the Recording Industry Association of America. June 30, 1998. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  19. ↑ Trust, Gary (December 11, 2016). "Ask Billboard: Madonna's Career Album Sales". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  20. ↑ Hochman, Steve (November 10, 1996). "Artists Formerly Known as Hits". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  21. ↑ Archived November 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ "40th Annual Grammy Awards - 1998". Rock On The Net. February 25, 1998. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  23. ↑ Acme Rosie Show Season 1 Guests 1996
  24. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife" (in French). Hung Medien.
  28. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9748b". RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  29. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
  32. ↑ "『天使の贈りもの』オリジナル・サウンドトラック". Oricon. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Soundtrack / Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Top Gospel Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  43. ↑ "The Billboard 200 - Week of March 17, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Soundtrack Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Eurochart Top 100 Albums 1997" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  46. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  47. 1 2 3 4 "The Year in Music 1997" (PDF). Billboard. pp. YE-26, YE-39, YE-82, YE-84. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  48. ↑ "The Year in Music 1998" (PDF). Billboard. December 26, 1998. pp. YE-98. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  49. ↑ "Top Gospel Albums – Year End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Top Gospel Albums – Year End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  51. ↑ "Top Gospel Albums – Year End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Top Gospel Albums – Year End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  53. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Music Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  55. ↑ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1997". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Pop: Disco d'oro in Italia per Whitney Houston" (in Italian). Adnkronos. January 14, 1997. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  57. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – Whitney Houston – Angel's Gift "Original Soundtrack"" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved February 12, 2022. Select 1997年6月 on the drop-down menu
  58. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. p. 944. ISBN 8480486392.
  59. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  60. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Preacher's Wife (Whitney Houston)')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  61. ↑ "British album certifications – Whitney Houston – The Preacher's Wife - Ost". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  62. ↑ "American album certifications – Whitney Houston – Preacher's Wife (Soundtrack)". Recording Industry Association of America.
  63. ↑ Gary Trust (August 30, 2009). "Ask Billboard: Madonna vs. Whitney: Who's Sold More?". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  64. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1997". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  65. ↑ "1998 The 25th American Music Awards Winners & Nominees". rockonthenet.com. January 26, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  66. ↑ Eileen Fitzpatrick (February 1, 1997). 1996 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Nominees Announced. Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  67. ↑ "1998 The 4th Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Winners & Nominees". IMDb. March 10, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  68. ↑ J.R. Reynolds (April 19, 1997). The Thythm and The Blues section, Essence Awards Accentuate The Positive; Living Legend Awards Spotlight Clayton. Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  69. ↑ Kirk Nicewonger (May 22, 1997). "Ali, Cosby headline Essence Awards". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  70. ↑ James Lloyd (April 26, 1997). "Chapman Again Dove Artist of Year; 1997 The 28th Dove Awards Winners". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  71. ↑ Kirk Franklin, God's Property Big Winners at Dove Awards. Jet. May 18, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  72. ↑ Jim Patterson (April 24, 1998). "Gospel awards honor late artist". Park City Daily News. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  73. 1 2 "1998 The 40th Grammy Awards Winners & Nominees". rockonthenet.com. February 25, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  74. 1 2 Ebony's 50th Anniversary Show, Denzel Washington Among NAACP Image Award Winners. Jet. March 3, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  75. 1 2 "1997 The 28th NAACP Image Awards Winners & Nominees". Internet Movie Database. February 8, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  76. 1 2 "NAACP Image Awards; Whitney Houston Wins for Preacher's Wife". Star-News. February 10, 1997. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  77. ↑ Shauna Snow (January 12, 1998). "'Dharma' and 'Closet' Among People's Choice Award Winners". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  78. ↑ "1998 The 24th People's Choice Awards Winners & Nominees". peopleschoice.com. January 11, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  79. ↑ Anita M. Samuels (March 14, 1998). Badu Heads Soul Train; Singer Picks Up 4 Awards. Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  80. ↑ "Soul Train Music Awards Library: 1998 The 12th Soul Train Music Awards". Don Cornelius Productions, Inc. February 27, 1998. Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  81. ↑ Lawrence Van Gelder (January 14, 1998). "Footlights". New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  82. ↑ Sixth Annual Trumpet Awards Gala Pays Tribute to Black Achievement. Jet. February 9, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.