Soul Provider | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 26, 1989 | |||
Recorded | 1987–89 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Pop, pop rock, soft rock | |||
Length | 47:04 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer |
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Michael Bolton chronology | ||||
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Singles from Soul Provider | ||||
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Soul Provider is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. The album was released on June 26, 1989, by Columbia Records/CBS. [1] The album has sold 12.5 million copies worldwide. [2]
Containing five US top 40 hits (including three that reached the top 10), Soul Provider achieved longevity on the charts. The album spent almost four years on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number 3. [3] It was certified 6× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [4]
For the single version of "Georgia on My Mind", CBS edited out Michael Brecker's saxophone solo and replaced it with one by Kenny G. [5]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Robert Christgau | C− [7] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Soul Provider has received generally mixed reviews from critics. AllMusic retrospectively described it as "more of the same", but noted that due to this album, Bolton "was now stoking the romantic fires in bedrooms across America". [6] Robert Christgau gave the album a negative review, declaring Bolton to be "indistinguishable from pop metal except in the wattage of his guitar parts and the shamelessness of his song doctors." [7] The Rolling Stone Album Guide described the album as the beginning of Bolton's descent into overdone and disrespectful covers, though they added that some of the self-penned performances on the album showed potential. [8]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Soul Provider" | Michael Bolton, Andrew Goldmark | Peter Bunetta and Rick Chudacoff | 4:28 |
2. | "Georgia on My Mind" | Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell | Bolton and Susan Hamilton | 4:58 |
3. | "It's Only My Heart" | Bolton, Diane Warren | Michael Omartian | 4:33 |
4. | "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" | Bolton, Doug James | Omartian | 4:48 |
5. | "How Can We Be Lovers?" | Bolton, Warren, Desmond Child | Bolton and Desmond Child | 3:55 |
6. | "You Wouldn't Know Love" | Bolton, Warren | Bolton | 3:54 |
7. | "When I'm Back on My Feet Again" | Warren | Bolton, Guy Roche, Walter Afanasieff | 3:47 |
8. | "From Now On" (featuring Suzie Benson) | Bolton, Dean Pitchford, Eric Kaz | Bolton | 4:07 |
9. | "Love Cuts Deep" | Bolton, Warren, Child | Bunetta and Chudacoff | 3:49 |
10. | "Stand Up for Love" | Bolton, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil | Bolton, Barry Mann, Omartian | 4:44 |
11. | "Forever Eyes" (bonus track) | Bolton, Bob Halligan Jr. | 4:23 | |
Total length: | 47:04 |
Technical
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Release date | Title | US Hot 100 | US AC |
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June 1989 | "Soul Provider" | 17 | 3 |
October 1989 | "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" | 1 | 1 |
March 1990 | "How Can We Be Lovers" | 3 | 3 |
May 1990 | "When I'm Back on My Feet Again" | 7 | 1 |
August 1990 | "Georgia on My Mind" | 36 | 6 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA) [29] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada) [30] | 5× Platinum | 500,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI) [31] | Gold | 50,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [32] | Gold | 7,500^ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [33] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Sweden (GLF) [34] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [35] | 4× Platinum | 1,200,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [36] | 6× Platinum | 6,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
rolling stone michael bolton album guide.