Description
House of Love is the ninth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Amy Grant, released on both Myrrh Records and A&M Records in August 1994. The album was produced by Michael Omartian and Keith Thomas. At its release, House of Love was the biggest initial release in contemporary Christian music history, shipping almost half a million copies on its first day alone.
“Lucky One” was the album’s biggest hit, peaking at No. 2 and 18 at Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary and Pop charts respectively, followed by the title track (a duet with Vince Gill), and a remake of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi”. The album also includes “The Power”, a song co-written by Tommy Sims of White Heart fame and Judson Spence, who both also provide background vocals on this track. (“The Power” was later covered by Cher on her 1998 release Believe, an album that sold 10 million copies worldwide.)
Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s always an event of sorts when Amy Grant releases a new recording. Historically, that’s had at least something to do with the fact that her records have been groundbreakers in contemporary Christian music, either artistically, technically, financially, or all of the above. So what kind of an event do you create when you’ve made every kind of album imaginable as a Christian artist – devotional, introspective, worship, pop, Christmas (twice) – and achieved the kind of success you never even dreamed of?
Maybe you stop worrying about being The Main Event and just make the kind of record you want to make. And while that process may have begun a while back, listening to ‘House of Love’, it’s clear that this artist is more secure than ever in her own identity. You can hear it in her voice – she’s not trying to impress on any level – yet she sounds more relaxed and comfortable in the vocal style which has now become her very own.
The album kicks off with a one-two punch that feels like ‘Heart in Motion‘s openers in reverse. «Lucky One» has the same kind of mid-tempo groove that made «Baby Baby» so infectious, if slightly more understated; and «Say You’ll Be Mine» feels a bunch like «Good for Me», but this one will likely be a bigger hit. As before, the music on these two is simple but completely catchy, compliments of co-writer and producer Keith Thomas.
«Whatever It Takes», the first ballad, is a passionate pledge of lifelong love that, while not lyrically gospel per se, exudes a commitment hardly heard in pop lyrics today. «House of Love» finds Grant duetting nicely with Vince Gill, and sounding similar to Gill’s twosome with Gladys Knight on «Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing» (from the ‘Rhythm, Country and Blues’ collection released earlier this year).
A mainstream pop record to be sure, ‘House of Love’ may not contain the one clearly gospel song that ‘Heart in Motion’ finished with («Hope Set High»), but the album is rife with lyrics thoroughly communicative of Christian love, with the occasional line even more specific and profound. Take «Helping Hand» – “Everybody needs a helping hand, take a look at your fellow man/ Tell me what can I do today/… I’m talking about the soul all alone/ Needing the daily bread, some place to lay his head/…That’s mercy.” Or «Love has a Hold on Me» – “Long before my life had come to be/ Love had a hold on me/…Something opened up my eyes to see/ Love has a hold on me/…Where do I come from, what does life mean/ Is it not to know the one who made me?”
«The Power» reads like a riddle for ‘him who has ears to hear,’ but the song’s dedication in the liner notes makes it clear by quoting from Acts 17:28. And on «Children of the World» (premiered on the Dove Awards in April), Grant sings, “I will stand for the truth I’ve seen/ So the truth is seen in me.”
Though musically the album gets less up and pop-ish as it progresses, with more downtempo ballads in the second half, lyrically the album moves from the broader confections of falling in love to the deeper issues of making relationships, both “horizontal” and “vertical,” work, not unlike ‘Lead Me On’. It is on this turf where Amy Grant has always made her most important statements, and for all its pop sheen (provided by co-producers Keith Thomas and Michael Omartian, as well as a who’s who of studio support) it’s undeniable that this ‘House of Love’ is built on a very solid foundation, indeed. [Thom Granger, CCM, September 1994]
Although some would prefer otherwise, Amy Grant is quite a good purveyor of true AM-radio style pop. Being in stylistic step with the mainstream has always made her Christian art truly contemporary, a factor that long ago produced recognition beyond the walls of Christian music. ‘House Of Love’ continues as such, and attempts to utilize other historic strengths such as strong songs, clean production and stellar collaborators. While the results are not as consistent as in the past, the foundation still holds up fairly well. As a vocalist, Grant has confidently seasoned and expanded her warm tones, making an appealing antidote to the calculated, octave-jumping divas that dominate much of Top 40 radio.
The lyrics are definitely the least “Christian” Grant has ever offered – yet, there are still some compelling rooms in this ‘House’. «The Power» is a muscular slice of power pop co-written with Tommy Sims and «Children Of The World» is a soaring anthem about passing the spiritual torch to the next generation. Other highlights include a bouncy remake of Joni Mitchell’s «Big Yellow Taxi» and a sublime take on human commitment, «Our Love».
Grant does stumble when simplicity turns to triteness, as in the first three tracks (which use the term “baby” to ridiculous excess). Longtime fans, who know the trials and tribulations this 15 year music veteran, wife, and mother of three has survived, may also find frustration in hearing a successful love life attributed to chance, as in the gooey first single «Lucky One».
Although extolling the virtues of physical love is far from unprecedented in the spiritual realm – see “Song Of Solomon” – Grant does weaken her cause when resorting to fluff. There is no condemnation for sweet and simple love songs, yet those in Christ – and the world – may have little tolerance for saccharine. [Robert Mineo, Syndicate # 41, 1994 (Vol. 9, Iss. 5)]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/house-of-love/1443190352)
CD tracklist (US release):
01. Lucky One – 4:11
02. Say You’ll Be Mine – 4:04
03. Whatever It Takes – 4:10
04. House of Love – 4:38
05. The Power – 3:54
06. Oh How the Years Go By – 5:12
07. Big Yellow Taxi – 3:01
08. Helping Hand – 4:39
09. Love Has a Hold On Me – 3:55
10. Our Love – 5:08
11. Children of the World – 5:16
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Myrrh Records. The edition sold in Europe, Australia, and Japan features the additional track “Politics of Kissing”. Digitally remastered and re-issued by Amy Grant’s new record label, EMI/Sparrow Records, in 2007.
House Of Love Radio Special (hosted by Jon Rivers)
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