Album: Heaven (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Brother and sister BeBe (Benjamin) and CeCe (Priscilla) Winans are two members of gospel music's most prominent family. Between 1984 and 1996, the Winans siblings recorded a succession of hit records as a duo. CeCe also successfully teamed up with Whitney Houston in 1996 for the transatlantic hit "Count On Me," whilst "I Wanna Be The Only One" was a #1 hit in the UK in 1997 for BeBe in partnership with the girl group Eternal.
  • BeBe Winans wrote this song for the duo's second album, together with producer Keith Thomas. CeCe Winans recalled in CCM Magazine presents 100 Greatest Songs In Christian Music: "As soon as he heard it, we knew there was something magical about it. It's a song that just makes you smile, and makes you want to go to heaven too."
  • The Heaven album, which featured a guest appearance by Whitney Houston, propelled the duo to star status. It was certified gold, peaked at #95 on the pop charts and reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot R&B chart, the first gospel recording to do so since Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace in 1972.
  • Whilst the single won a 1990 Dove Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song, the album won multiple honors, including matching Best Gospel Vocal Performance Grammy Awards in the male and Female categories for BeBe and CeCe.
  • This was covered by Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams on her 2002 gospel album Heart To Yours.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Harold Brown of War

Harold Brown of WarSongwriter Interviews

A founding member of the band War, Harold gives a first-person account of one of the most important periods in music history.