The Preacher's Wife (soundtrack)

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The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album is the soundtrack to the 1996 film of the same name and features songs performed by Whitney Houston, who also stars in the film. It is the best-selling gospel album of all time, and has sold an estimated 8 million copies worldwide.
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. and was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 40th Grammy Awards, as well as for Best R&B Album.
"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.
==Reception==
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. 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. 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. It stayed for a total of 38 weeks, 49 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart and the Top R&B Albums chart respectively.
In addition, The Preacher's Wife Soundtrack was more successful on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart than on any other chart. The album debuted straight at number one on the chart and spent 26 consecutive weeks at the top from December 14, 1996 to June 7, 1997. It remained on the chart for 117 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. 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. According to the Nielsen SoundScan, as of 2012, the gospel album has sold 2,627,000 copies in the United States alone. It has sold over 8 million copies Worldwide to date.
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.‘Picks and Pans Review: The Preacher’s Wife’ People Jan. 13, 1997
==Track listing==
==Charts and certifications==
===Weekly charts===
Charts (1996–97) 	Peakposition
Belgian Albums Chart (Vl) 	34
Belgian Albums Chart (Wa) 	45
 	
 	
US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard) 	1
Chart (2012) 	Peakposition
US Billboard 200 	80
US Top Pop Catalog Albums (Billboard)	9
===Year-end charts===
Chart (1996) 	Position
Swedish Albums Chart	78
===Certifications===
Region 	Provider 	Certification(sales thresholds)	Sales/shipments
Canada 	CRIA 	Platinum 	100,000+
Europe 	IFPI 	Platinum 	1,000,000+
Italy 	FIMI 	Gold 	50,000+
Japan 	RIAJ 	Platinum 	250,000
Spain 	AFYVE 	Gold 	50,000
Sweden 	IFPI 	Gold 	50,000
Switzerland 	IFPI 	Gold 	25,000
United Kingdom	BPI 	Silver 	60,000
United States 	RIAA 	3× Platinum 	3,112,000/3,000,000
Worldwide 	Worldwide	Worldwide 	8,000,000
==Accolades==
===Academy Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1997 || Hans Zimmer for The Preacher's Wife || Best Original Musical or Comedy Score || 
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===American Music Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1998 || The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack Album || |Favorite Soundtrack || 
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===Blockbuster Entertainment Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1997 || The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack Album || Favorite Female, R&B || 
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1998 || The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack Album || Favorite Soundtrack || 
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===Essence Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1997 || Whitney Houston (herself) || The Triumphant Spirit Award || 
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===GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1997 || Special Award || Outstanding Mainstream Contribution to Gospel Music || 
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1998 || "I Go to the Rock" || Traditional Gospel Song of the Year (with Dottie Rambo) || 
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===Grammy Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1998 || The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack Album || |Best R&B Album || 
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| "I Believe in You and Me" || Best Female R&B Vocal Performance || 
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===NAACP Image Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|1997 || rowspan="2"|The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack Album || |Outstanding Gospel Artist (with Georgia Mass Choir) || 
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|Outstanding Album || 
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===The NARM Best Seller Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1997 || The Preacher's Wife Original Soundtrack Album || Best-selling Gospel Recording || 
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===People's Choice Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1998 || Whitney Houston (herself) || |Favorite Female Musical Performer (tied with Reba McEntire) || 
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===Soul Train Music Awards===
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1998 || Special Award || The 1998 Quincy Jones Award — for Outstanding Career Achievements in the field of entertainment || 
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===Trumpet Awards===
Trumpet Awards, the awards are intended to honor blacks who, through consistency and longevity, have inspired others and have achieved success in their chosen professions or careers.
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| style="width:35px; text-align:center;"|1998 || Whitney Houston (herself) || The Pinnacle Award || 
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==See also==
*List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 (U.S.)
==References==
Category:Whitney Houston albums
Category:Albums produced by Stephen Lipson
Category:Albums produced by David Foster
Category:1996 soundtracks
Category:Film soundtracks
Category:Arista Records soundtracks