Singles from I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston
"Testimony" Released: February 9, 2023
"He Can Use Me" Released: February 23, 2023
I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston is a posthumous gospel compilation album by American recording artist Whitney Houston, released on March 24, 2023 by Arista Records, Legacy Recordings, and Gaither Music Group.[1] The album features 14 tracks, including six never-before-released songs, three of which culled from a 1981 recording session when Houston was just seventeen.
Background
In February 2023, according to Billboard, a new documentary and posthumous album would explore the singer's lifelong connection to gospel music. The album I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston, would feature previously unreleased tracks, including the upcoming first single "Testimony", issued before the full album to be released later in the year.[2]
The compilation album celebrates Houston's deep roots in gospel music and showcases her talent, faith and passion for the genre. Included are renditions of classics "Jesus Loves Me", "I Love the Lord" and "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."[3]I Go to the Rock features six new unreleased gospel tracks "He Can Use Me," "I Found a Wonderful Way" and "Testimony"; and Houston's live performances of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" with singer CeCe Winans, "This Day" and "He/I Believe".[4]
Commercial performance
I Go To The Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart dated April 8, 2023. According to Billboard, the compilation garnered 4,000 equivalent album sales during the tracking week ending March 30, 2023, propelling it at number two spot.[5]
The album marks Houston's second top ten spot and entry into the Top Gospel Albums chart.[6] Her first gospel album, 1996's The Preacher's Wife soundtrack debuted at number one and held the top spot for 26 consecutive weeks and remained on the chart for 161 weeks.[7]
The compilation has since spent 31 cumulative weeks on the chart.[7] On October 26, 2023, the album was announced as a finalist for the Billboard Music Awards for Top Gospel Album.[8]
Track listing
I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston track listing