My Heart Is Calling

Last updated

"My Heart Is Calling"
My Heart Is Calling US Single Cover.jpg
Single by Whitney Houston
from the album The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album
B-side "I Go to the Rock"
ReleasedJune 10, 1997 (1997-06-10)
Recorded1996
Genre
Length4:15
Label Arista
Songwriter(s) Babyface
Producer(s) Babyface
Whitney Houston singles chronology
"Step by Step"
(1997)
"My Heart Is Calling"
(1997)
"When You Believe"
(1998)
Licensed audio
"My Heart Is Calling" on YouTube

"My Heart Is Calling" is a song recorded by the American recording artist Whitney Houston for the 1996 film The Preacher's Wife . It was released on June 10, 1997, as the third and final single by Arista Records from the accompanying soundtrack. The song was written and produced solely by Babyface. Musically, the song is an R&B ballad, with gospel music and funk influences, and the lyrics speak about meeting someone special. "My Heart Is Calling" received mainly positive reviews from music critics, who commended Houston's soulful performance. It peaked at number 77 on the United States Billboard Hot 100, and number 35 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. There was no music video made for the song.

Contents

Composition

"My Heart Is Calling" was written and produced solely by Babyface. [1] It is a moderately paced R&B ballad, composed with "a beat". [2] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song is written in the key of G major. [2] The beat of the song is set in common time, and moves at a tempo of 104 beats per minute. [2] It has the sequence of Em7–D/F–G–Am7 as its chord progression. [2] Houston's vocals in the song span from the note of D3 to the high note of E5. [2] According to Ted Cox, the author of the book Whitney Houston, the song sees Houston developing the low end of her range. [3] Lyrically, "My Heart Is Calling" is a love song.

Critical reception

"My Heart Is Calling" garnered mostly positive reviews from music critics. Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly viewed the song as a "dance-floor" ballad, [4] while Elysa Gardner of Los Angeles Times noted that the song was influenced by both gospel music and funk genres. [5] She also wrote that the song explores Houston's more soulful side. [5] Billboard magazine also noted the song has an "unusually saucy groove". [6] According to Bob Waliszewski of Plugged In (publication), "Houston exuberantly captures the joy of meeting a special someone" through the song. [7]

Billboard reviewed the song favorably, writing that it is "a wonderfully refreshing release that smartly side-steps her tried-and-true balladry in favor of a credible foray into jeep-funk territory." [6] Steve Jones of USA Today wrote that "[the] Babyface-produced My Heart Is Calling; [...] have a spiritual feel. [They] help maintain a thematic cohesiveness that most soundtracks lack these days." [8] Similarly, Elysa Gardner of Los Angeles Times also reviewed the song favorably, writing that "Houston shows her soulful side with equal panache, even if she has a tendency to overdo the obligatory vocal gymnastics at times." [5]

Chart performance

"My Heart Is Calling" debuted at number 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100, issue dated July 5, 1997. [9] Two weeks later, the song peaked at number 77 on the chart. [10] The following week, it dropped out of the chart. On the R&B/Hip-Hop charts, the song debuted at number 43, on the week dated June 28, 1997. [11] The following week, the song ascended to number 35, a position which became its peak. [9]

Track listing

US CD single [12]
No.TitleLength
1."My Heart Is Calling"4:15
2."I Go to the Rock"4:05

Credits and personnel

Charts

Chart (1997)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 [13] 77
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [14] 35

Related Research Articles

<i>Whitney: The Greatest Hits</i> 2000 compilation album by Whitney Houston

Whitney: The Greatest Hits is the first compilation album by American singer Whitney Houston. It was released on May 5, 2000, by Arista Records. Anticipation over a greatest hits album from Houston arose as far as 1995, when Billboard first announced the album's release. However, it was continuously postponed as Houston focused on film projects, before deciding to record several new tracks for the belated collection in 1998. The effort was quickly expanded into her fourth studio album My Love Is Your Love, released in November 1998 to widespread success, which effectively postponed Whitney: The Greatest Hits again.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exhale (Shoop Shoop)</span> 1995 single by Whitney Houston

"Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" is a song by American recording artist and actress Whitney Houston, featured on the soundtrack for the film Waiting to Exhale. It was released as the lead single from the soundtrack on November 6, 1995, by Arista Records. The song was written and produced by Babyface. A mid-tempo R&B and soul ballad, composed in the key of D-flat major, the song's lyrics speak about growing up and learning to let go. The song garnered mostly positive reviews from critics, many of whom noted Houston's vocal maturity in the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where Do Broken Hearts Go</span> 1988 single by Whitney Houston

"Where Do Broken Hearts Go" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her second studio album, Whitney (1987). It was released as the fourth single from the album on February 25, 1988. The song was written by Frank Wildhorn and Chuck Jackson and produced by Narada Michael Walden. A pop ballad set in the key of D major, the record is about someone seeking for a former lover to return after a breakup. Upon its release, the song received mixed reviews from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Your Baby Tonight (song)</span> 1990 single by Whitney Houston

"I'm Your Baby Tonight" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston from her third studio album, I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990). Written and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, in Australia and most European countries it was released as the album's lead single by Arista Records on September 28, 1990; in the United States, the release date was October 2. Following the release of her second studio album Whitney (1987), Houston became the first woman ever to debut atop the Billboard 200; despite this, critics deemed it safe and formulaic. Additionally, she was booed at the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards and accused of being "not black enough"; Houston decided she needed to change her sound if she wanted to recapture black audiences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Star Spangled Banner (Whitney Houston recording)</span> 1991 single by Whitney Houston

"The Star Spangled Banner" is a charity single recorded by American singer Whitney Houston to raise funds for soldiers and families of those involved in the Persian Gulf War. Written by Francis Scott Key and John Stafford Smith, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The musical arrangement for Houston's rendition was by conductor John Clayton. The recording was produced by music coordinator Rickey Minor, along with Houston herself. The recording was included in the 2014 CD/DVD release, Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances and the US edition of the 2000 release, Whitney: The Greatest Hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitney Houston albums discography</span>

American singer, actress, producer and entertainer Whitney Houston, who is known as “The Voice”, released seven studio albums, eight compilations, three soundtrack albums, five box sets, six extended plays, and 57 singles. She has sold over 220 million records worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling music artists in history. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Houston is the best-selling female R&B artist of the 20th century, and has sold 100 million certified records in the United States. She is also the fourth best-selling female album artist in the US with 61 million certified album sales. In addition, until the launch of the RIAA's digital certification program in 2004, she had sold 16.5 million physical singles—more than any other female solo artist in history. According to the Official Charts Company in October 2012, Houston is the fourth-biggest-selling female singles artists of all-time list with a sales total of 8.5 million singles in that country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Have Nothing</span> 1993 single by Whitney Houston

"I Have Nothing" is a song by American singer and actress Whitney Houston, released on February 20, 1993 as the third single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album (1992) by Arista Records. The song was written by David Foster and Linda Thompson, and produced by Foster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Give Good Love</span> 1985 single by Whitney Houston

"You Give Good Love" is the debut solo single by American singer Whitney Houston for her 1985 eponymous debut studio album. It was written by La Forrest 'La La' Cope and produced by Kashif. When La La sent Kashif a copy of the song, originally offered to Roberta Flack, she thought it would be a better fit for Houston and told Arista Records he would be interested in recording with her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel of Mine</span> 1997 single by Eternal

"Angel of Mine" is a song by British R&B girl group Eternal from their first compilation album, Greatest Hits (1997). It was written by Rhett Lawrence and Travon Potts, produced by Lawrence, and released on 29 September 1997. The song became Eternal's 12th and final top-10 hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number four. "Angel of Mine" was the ensemble's final single as a three-piece, as after its release, Kéllé Bryan left the group. In June 2019, "Angel of Mine" was ranked at number 91 on the Official Charts Company's "Top 100 Girl Band Singles of the Last 25 Years".

"I Believe in You and Me" is a song written by Sandy Linzer and David Wolfert in 1982. The song was first recorded and released by the R&B group The Four Tops, who released it as a single from their album One More Mountain (1982). While it failed to reach the US Top 40, it became a moderate hit for the group on the US Billboard R&B chart, peaking at number 40 in early 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Love Is Your Love (song)</span> 1999 single by Whitney Houston

"My Love Is Your Love" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston. It was written and produced by Wyclef Jean and Jerry Duplessis for Houston’s fourth studio album of the same name (1998). Released on May 31, 1999, as the album's fourth single, it received positive reviews and was successful worldwide, hitting the top 10 in 23 international markets. The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two in the United Kingdom, and number one in New Zealand. It was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One of Those Days</span> 2002 single by Whitney Houston

"One of Those Days" is a song by American recording artist Whitney Houston, from her fifth studio album Just Whitney (2002). Written by Whitney Houston herself, Kevin Briggs, Dwight Renolds, Patrice Stewart, Ernest Isley, Marvin Isley, Christopher Jasper, Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, and Rudolph Isley, and produced by Briggs, the song was released as the second single from the album, following the lead single "Whatchulookinat", on October 29, 2002 through Arista Records. A mid-tempo R&B track, "One of Those Days" samples The Isley Brothers' song "Between the Sheets" (1983), and its lyrics speak about getting away from the stress of daily life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love That Man</span> 2003 single by Whitney Houston

"Love That Man" is a song by American R&B-pop singer Whitney Houston. It was written by Whitney Houston herself, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Rob Fusari, Calvin Gaines, Eritza Laues, Bill Lee, and Balewa Muhammad for her fifth studio album Just Whitney (2002), with production helmed by Edmonds and Fusari. The song was released as the album's fourth and final single on May 20, 2003 by Arista Records. Commissioned as a remix single in the United States, Peter Rauhofer and The Pound Boys produced remixes of the song. "Love That Man" became Houston's 12th number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbreak Hotel (Whitney Houston song)</span> 1998 single by Whitney Houston featuring Faith Evans and Kelly Price

"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston. Originally written for inclusion on TLC's third studio album FanMail, it was later recorded by Houston after TLC rejected the song. The song was written by Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin and Tamara Savage, and produced by Soulshock & Karlin. It was released on December 15, 1998, by Arista Records, as the second single from Houston's 1998 album My Love Is Your Love. The song prominently features R&B singers Faith Evans and Kelly Price during the choruses and bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody's Supposed to Be Here</span> 1998 single by Deborah Cox

"Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" is a song by Canadian recording artist Deborah Cox, released as the lead single from her second studio album, One Wish (1998). Written by Montell Jordan and its producer, Anthony "Shep" Crawford, the song was released on the same day as the album, on September 15, 1998, by Arista Records. It is Cox's most successful song, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks and spending a then-record 14 weeks at number one on the Hot R&B Singles & Tracks chart. In 2017, Billboard ranked the song at number five on its "Greatest of All Time Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sittin' Up in My Room</span> 1995 single by Brandy

"Sittin' Up in My Room" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written and produced by Babyface and recorded by Norwood for the soundtrack of the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale, starring Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett. The song was among five of the album's singles and peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, seeing Norwood's furthest commercial success on the chart until 1997's "The Boy Is Mine". The bass intro is similar to that of the riff performed by bassist Larry Graham, of Sly and the Family Stone, on their hit "Thank You ", and its remix featuring LL Cool J contains a sample of "Haven't You Heard" by Patrice Rushen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Step by Step (Annie Lennox song)</span> Annie Lennox song

"Step by Step" is a song recorded by Whitney Houston, originally written and recorded by Annie Lennox. The song appeared on the B-side to Lennox's 1992 single "Precious". Whitney Houston released a reworked crossover R&B/pop cover version in 1996 on the soundtrack to the film The Preacher's Wife. Houston's version replaces Lennox's verses with new lyrics and omits portions of the bridge. Annie Lennox provides backing vocals for Houston's rendition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Does It Hurt So Bad</span> 1996 single by Whitney Houston

"Why Does It Hurt So Bad" is a song recorded by American singer and actress Whitney Houston for the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale. It was released on July 22, 1996, by Arista Records as the seventh and final single from the accompanying soundtrack. The song was written and produced solely by Babyface. Musically, it is an R&B ballad, and the lyrics chronicle a lovelorn lament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitney Houston singles discography</span>

American singer Whitney Houston, known as "The Voice", released 57 singles as a leading artist and 4 as a featured artist. Houston is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 220 million records sold worldwide. In the United States, Houston amassed 11 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, all of whom have been certified either gold, platinum, multi-platinum or diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America and was one of a selected group of artists to have a top ten single in the Billboard Hot 100 in four different decades. She is currently ranked in seventh place of the artists with the most number one singles in the history of the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to the introduction of digital singles, Houston sold 16.5 million physical singles in the country, the most ever by a female recording artist. In October 2012, the Official Charts Company claimed Houston was the fourth biggest-selling female singles artist of all time with a sales total of 8.5 million singles in that country.

References

  1. 1 2 3 The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album (CD album). Whitney Houston. Arista. 1996. 07822-18951-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds (Composer and Lyricist) (1996). "My Heart Is Calling: Whitney Houston – Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. MN0059801 (Product Number).
  3. Cox, Ted: Whitney Houston, p. 91. Chelsea House Publishers. 1998. ISBN   978-0-7910-4456-8
  4. Willman, Chris (1996-11-29). "Diva la Différence". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  5. 1 2 3 Gardner, Elysa. "Oh, Whitney – for Heaven's Sake". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  6. 1 2 Flick, Larry (1997-05-17). "Billboard Reviews & Previews". Billboard . Vol. 109, no. 20. Prometheus Global Media. p. 63. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 2010-10-08.
  7. Waliszewski, Bob. "The Preacher's Wife Soundtrack – Plugged In Online Album Reviews". Plugged In (publication) . Focus on the Family . Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  8. Jones, Steve (1996-11-26). "'Preacher's Wife' steeped in the spirit". USA Today. Gannett Company, Inc. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  9. 1 2 "Billboard Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 27. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1997-07-05. p. 92. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  10. "Billboard Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 29. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1997-07-19. p. 102. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  11. "Billboard Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 26. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1997-07-28. p. 17. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  12. My Heart Is Calling (US CD Single liner notes). Whitney Houston. Arista. 1997. 07822-13362-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. "Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. "Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.