''The Force Behind the Power'' is the nineteenth studio album by American singer Diana Ross, released on September 10, 1991 by Motown Records. The album reached No. 11 on the

UK Albums The Official Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales and (from March 2015) audio streaming in the United Kingdom. It was published for the first time on 22 July 1956 and is compiled every week by the Official Charts ...

chart.

Singles

The album spun off five hit singles in the UK - most successfully "

When You Tell Me That You Love Me "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is a song by American singer Diana Ross, released on August 20, 1991 as the lead single from her nineteenth studio album, ''The Force Behind the Power'' (1991). The song was released on the Motown label in th ...

" which reached No. 2 on the

UK Singles The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

chart (and No. 26 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart), earning a BPI Silver disc for UK sales of over 200,000 copies. "One Shining Moment" and the album's Stevie Wonder-produced title track reached Nos. 10, and 27 on the

chart. If We Hold on Together reached No. 11 on the

chart and No. 23 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart, while a cover of

Barbra Streisand Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand (; born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment, and is among the few performers awar ...

's "Heart (Don't Change My Mind)" reached No. 31 on the

chart. "No Matter What You Do" - her duet with

Al B. Sure! Albert Joseph Brown III (born June 4, 1968), known professionally as Al B. Sure!, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, radio host and former record executive. He was born in Boston and raised in Mount Vernon, New York. During the ...

- was a major US R&B hit where it peaked at number 4 on the

Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by ''Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 p ...

chart, while "You're Gonna Love It" written by Cydney Davis and Lloyd Tolbert was also released as a US single, where it rose to No. 24 on the US Dance Club Songs chart. "If We Hold on Together" was originally recorded for

Don Bluth Donald Virgil Bluth (; born September 13, 1937) is an American film director, animator, production designer, and animation instructor, best known for his animated films, including '' The Secret of NIMH'' (1982), '' An American Tail'' (1986), ''Th ...

's 1988 animated adventure film '' The Land Before Time''. It rose to prominence after it was released as a single worldwide in the latter part of 1988 (most prominently in Japan in 1990, after it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama Omoide ni Kawaru Made). It reached #1 on the Japanese International single charts for 12 contiguous weeks making it the biggest selling record by a foreign artist; and in total, sold over 465,000 copies.

Commercial reception

In the UK the album certified platinum for sales exceeding 300,000 copies. It also went Gold in Japan and various European territories. The album was successful enough internationally that Ross' "Here and Now" World Tour lasted nearly two years.

Track listings

US edition #"Change of Heart" (

Terry Britten Terence Ernest Britten (born July 1947) is an English-Australian singer-songwriter and record producer, who has written songs for Tina Turner, Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, Status Quo and Michael Jackson amongst many others. Britten (along w ...

Graham Lyle Graham Hamilton Lyle (born 11 March 1944, in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland) is a Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. Between 1970 and 1997, he co-wrote 18 British Top 40 hits, 9 ''Billboard'' Hot 100 entries, 4 US Country No ...

) – 4:02 #"

" (

John Bettis John Gregory Bettis (born October 24, 1946) is an American lyricist. He was originally part of the band Spectrum, which also featured Richard and Karen Carpenter. He wrote the lyrics for " Top of the World", a hit for both Lynn Anderson and Th ...

Albert Hammond Albert Louis Hammond OBE (born 18 May 1944) is a British-Gibraltarian singer, songwriter, and record producer. A prolific songwriter, he also collaborated with other songwriters such as Mike Hazlewood, John Bettis, Diane Warren, Holly Knight ...

) – 4:13 #"Battlefield" ( Paul Carrack,

Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and New wave music, new wave,Stevie Wonder,

Syreeta Wright Syreeta Wright (February 28, 1946 – July 6, 2004), who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was an American singer-songwriter, best known for her music during the early 1970s through the early 1980s. Wright's career heights we ...

) – 3:55 #"Heavy Weather" (

Michael Sembello Michael Andrew Sembello (born April 17, 1954) is an American singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, composer and producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sembello was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his 1983 song "M ...

) – 4:59 #"The Force Behind the Power" (Stevie Wonder) – 4:45 #"Heart (Don't Change My Mind)" (Robbie Buchanan, Diane Warren) – 4:19 #"Waiting in the Wings" (Andy Hill, Pete Sinfield) – 4:52 #"One Shining Moment" (

Vaneese Thomas Vaneese Yseult Thomas (born August 24, 1952) is an American R&B, jazz and soul blues singer, best known for her 1987 US ''Billboard'' R&B chart hit single, "Let's Talk It Over". In addition, in more recent times, she has supplied backing vocal ...

) – 4:48 #"You're Gonna Love It" (Cydney Davis, Lloyd Tolbert) – 5:11 #" If We Hold on Together" (

James Horner James Roy Horner (August 14, 1953 – June 22, 2015) was an American composer. He was known for the integration of choral and electronic elements, and for his frequent use of motifs associated with Celtic music. Horner's first film score was in ...

, Barry Mann,

Will Jennings Wilbur H. "Will" Jennings (born June 27, 1944) is an American lyricist. He is popularly known for writing the lyrics for the songs " Tears in Heaven" and " My Heart Will Go On". He has been inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and has wo ...

) – 4:09 International edition #"Change of Heart" (Britten, Lyle) – 4:03 #"

" (Bettis, Hammond) – 4:13 #"Battlefield" (Carrack, Lowe) – 3:35 #"Blame It on the Sun" (Wonder, Wright) – 3:55 #"You're Gonna Love It" (Davis, Tolbert) – 5:11 #"Heavy Weather" (Sembello) – 4:59 #"The Force Behind the Power" (Wonder) – 4:42 #"Heart (Don't Change My Mind)" (Buchanan, Warren) – 4:19 #"Waiting in the Wings" (Hill, Sinfield) – 4:52 #"You and I" (Dormer, Goldo, Vigil) – 4:09 #"One Shining Moment" (Thomas) – 4:48 #" If We Hold on Together" (James Horner, Barry Mann, Will Jennings) – 4:13 #"No Matter What You Do" (duet with

) (Brown, West) – 5:09

Personnel

* Diana Ross – lead vocals * John Barnes – keyboards (1, 5, 9), synthesizers (1, 5, 6, 9), synthesizer programming (1, 5, 6, 9), Synclavier (1, 5, 6, 9), Synclavier programming and arrangements (1, 5, 6, 9) * Llyod Tolbert – keyboards (1, 5, 9), synthesizer programming (1, 5, 6, 9), arrangements (1, 5, 9) * Kevin Perry – additional programming (1, 5, 6, 9) * Andrew Scheps – additional programming (1, 5, 6, 9) * Robbie Buchanan – keyboards (2-4, 8, 9) *

Andrew Gold Andrew Maurice Gold (August 2, 1951 – June 3, 2011) was an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer who influenced much of the Los Angeles-dominated pop/soft rock sound in the 1970s. Gold played on scores of reco ...

– organ (3), acoustic guitar (3) *

James Anthony Carmichael James Anthony Carmichael (born September 14, 1941) is an American Grammy-winning musician, arranger, and record producer. At first he started off in Los Angeles as an arranger and producer for Motown acts like The Temptations and the Jackson 5. ...

– arrangements (1, 5, 6, 9), keyboards (6), synthesizers (6) * Stevie Wonder – all instruments (7), arrangements (7), choir arrangement (7) * Rob Arbittier – programming (7) * Atle Bakken – programming (7) *

Malcolm Cecil Malcolm Cecil (9 January 193728 March 2021) was a British jazz bassist, record producer, engineer and electronic musician. He was a founding member of a leading UK jazz quintet of the late 1950s, the Jazz Couriers,

– programming (7) *

Randy Kerber Randy Kerber (born September 25, 1958) is an American composer, orchestrator and keyboard player, who has had a prolific career in the world of cinema.SeRandy Kerberat the IMDb Kerber was born in Encino, California. He began his first national ...

– keyboards (12) * Guy Moon – keyboards (12) * Carlos Rios – guitars (1, 5, 6, 9) * Michael Landau – guitars (2-4, 8, 11) *

Waddy Wachtel Robert "Waddy" Wachtel (born May 24, 1947) is an American musician, composer and record producer, most notable for his guitar work. Wachtel has worked as session musician for other artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Kim Carnes, Randy ...

– guitars (12) * Freddie Washington – bass (2-4, 8) * Larry Klein – bass (11) *

Leland Sklar Leland Bruce Sklar (born May 28, 1947) is an American bassist and session musician. Sklar rose to prominence as a member of James Taylor's backing band, which coaleced into a group in its own right, The Section. This group of musicians so frequ ...

– bass (12) *

Carlos Vega Carlos Vega (December 7, 1956 – April 7, 1998) was a Cuban-born Los Angeles-based session drummer best known for his performances with James Taylor. As a part of the L.A. studio scene from the late 1970s through the 1990s, Vega contributed to ...

– drums (2-4, 8, 9) *

Russ Kunkel Russell Kunkel (born September 27, 1948) is an American drummer who has worked as a session musician with many popular artists, including Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Buffett, Harry Chapin, Rita Coolidge, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Dan F ...

– drums (12) * Michael Fisher – percussion (2-4, 8, 9, 11),

vibraphone The vibraphone is a percussion instrument in the metallophone family. It consists of tuned metal bars and is typically played by using mallets to strike the bars. A person who plays the vibraphone is called a ''vibraphonist,'' ''vibraharpist ...

(3) * Nathaniel Kunkel – percussion (9) *

Warren Ham Warren Ham (born 1957) is an American multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for playing with Kansas (band), Kansas (1982), Toto (band), Toto (1986-1988, and since 2017) and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Ringo Starr (since 2015). During the ...

– harmonica (3, 6) *

John Helliwell John Anthony Helliwell (born 15 February 1945) is an English musician, best known as the saxophonist, secondary keyboardist, backing vocalist, and occasional songwriter for the rock band Supertramp. He also served as an MC during the band's ...

– saxophone (8) * David Campbell – BGV arrangements, orchestra arrangements and conductor (2-4, 8, 11, 12) * Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader (2-4, 8, 11, 12) * Isobel Griffiths – orchestra contractor (2-4, 8, 11, 12) * Marva King – backing vocals (1, 5, 6, 9) *

Arnold McCuller Arnold McCuller (born August 26, 1950) is an American vocalist, songwriter, and record producer, born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He was active as a solo artist and session musician, but is perhaps best known for his work as a touring back- ...

– backing vocals (1, 5, 6, 9) * Deborah Thomas – backing vocals (1, 5, 6, 9) * Fred White – backing vocals (1, 5, 6, 9) *

Peter Asher Peter Asher, (born 22 June 1944) is an English guitarist, singer, manager and record producer. He came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the pop music vocal duo Peter and Gordon before going on to a successful career as a manager and r ...

– backing vocals (2), tambourine (3), drum and percussion programming (11) * Valerie Carter – backing vocals (2-4, 8, 11, 12) * Kate Markowitz – backing vocals (2-4, 8, 11, 12) * Cydney Davis – backing vocals (5) * The Andraé Crouch Singers – choir (7)

Production

* Executive producer – Diana Ross * Producers – James Anthony Carmichael (tracks 1, 5, 6 & 9); Peter Asher (tracks 2–4, 8 & 10–13); Stevie Wonder (track 7). * Co-producer on track 7 –

Nathan Watts Nathan or Natan may refer to: People *Nathan (given name), including a list of people and characters with this name *Nathan (surname) *Nathan (prophet), a person in the Hebrew Bible * Nathan (son of David), biblical figure, son of King David an ...

* Co-producer on track 5 – Lloyd Tolbert * A&R direction – Debbie Sandridge * Album coordinator – Marylata E. Jacob * Engineers – Calvin Harris and Jack Rouben (tracks 1, 5, 6 & 9); Frank Wolf (tracks 2–4, 8, 10–12); Steve Van Arden (track 7). * Assistant engineers – Mark Hagen and Andrew Scheps (tracks 1, 5, 6 & 9); Bryant Arnett, Darren Godwin, Mike Harlow, Nathaniel Kunkel Ken Lauber and Gil Morales (tracks 2–4, 8, 10–12); Jimmy Sandweiss (track 7). * Recorded at Bill Schnee Studio, Studio F, Wonderland Studios, Westlake Audio, Off Meleose Recording Studio and The Complex (Los Angeles, CA); Cal Harris Studios (Woodland Hills, CA); The Sandbox (Easton, CT); Abbey Road Studios (London, England). * Digital editing on track 7 – R.R. Harlan * Mixing – Calvin Harris (tracks 1, 5, 6 & 9); Frank Wolf (tracks 2–4, 8, 10–12); Steve Van Arden (track 7). * Mixed at Conway Studios (Hollywood, CA), The Complex, Cal Harris Studios and Wonderland Studios. * Mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, CA). * Art direction – Dennis Woloch * Design concept – Diana Ross * Painting – Barry Kamen * Photography –

Herb Ritts Herbert Ritts Jr. (August 13, 1952December 26, 2002) was an American fashion photographer and director known for his photographs of celebrities, models, and other cultural figures throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His work concentrated on black ...

* Assistant to Diana Ross – Judith Service

Charts

Certifications

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Force Behind The Power 1991 albums Motown albums Diana Ross albums Albums produced by Peter Asher albums produced by James Anthony Carmichael New jack swing albums