"Church of Your Heart" is a song by Swedish pop duo Roxette, released in February 1992 by EMI Records as the fifth and final single from their third studio album, Joyride (1991). Written by Per Gessle and produced by Clarence Öfwerman, the song was a top-20 hit in Canada, where it peaked at number 11, and charted throughout Europe, entering the top 40 in several countries. "I Call Your Name" – originally released as a single from their 1986 debut album Pearls of Passion – appeared as the B-side. On UK editions of the single, the song was backed by an exclusive megamix consisting of a medley of "It Must Have Been Love", "Listen to Your Heart", "The Look", "Joyride" and "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)".
Critical reception AllMusic editor Bryan Buss described the song as "folky" in his review of Joyride. Jim Farber from Entertainment Weekly wrote that Roxette adds some "Dylanesque harmonica" into "Church of Your Heart". Swedish Expressen said that the song "is the closest we come to Gyllene Tider"."Roxette: Joyride". Expressen. 26 March 1991. Gavin Report commented, "A rare lead vocal from Per gives the Roxette sound a different texture but the result is the same—a hit." I Dag stated that it "is Gessle from his best side. This could be Gyllene Tider 1991.""Roxette: Joyride". I Dag. 26 March 1991.
Music video The music video for "Church of Your Heart" was filmed at a church in Sydney, Australia. It was directed by American director Wayne Isham, who also directed the video for previous single "Spending My Time", as well as one for another song from Joyride—"(Do You Get) Excited?", which was due to be released as the album's sixth single. Its planned single release was later cancelled, however.
Formats and track listings Cassette and 7-inch single (Europe 1364577 · US 4KM-50380) "Church of Your Heart" – 3:16 "I Call Your Name" – 3:37
UK Cassette and 7-inch single (UKEM227) "Church of Your Heart" – 3:16 "Megamix" – 9:04
CD single (Europe 1364572) "Church of Your Heart" – 3:18 "I Call Your Name" – 3:37 "Come Back (Before You Leave)" (Demo, April 1990) – 4:11 "Soul Deep" (Tom Lord-Alge Remix) – 3:40
UK CD1 (UKCDEM227) "Church of Your Heart" – 3:18 "I Call Your Name" – 3:37 "Come Back (Before You Leave)" (Demo) – 4:11 "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time You Leave)" – 3:51
UK CD2 (UKCDEMS227) "Church of Your Heart" – 3:18 "I Call Your Name" – 3:37 "Soul Deep" (Tom Lord-Alge Remix) – 3:40 "Megamix" – 9:04
Credits and personnel Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Rox Box/Roxette 86–06.
Studios Recorded in 1990 at EMI Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) Mixed at EMI Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)
Musicians Marie Fredriksson – lead and background vocals Per Gessle – lead and background vocals, harmonica, mixing Per "Pelle" Alsing – drums Anders Herrlin – bass guitar, engineering Jonas Isacsson – guitars Clarence Öfwerman – keyboards, production, mixing Staffan Öfwerman – background vocals Alar Suurna – mixing, engineering
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1992)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA) 55Ecuador (El Siglo de Torreón) 6Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 28Spain (AFYVE) 40UK Airplay (Music Week) 23 US Cash Box Top 100 32US Adult Contemporary (Gavin Report) 23US Top 40 (Gavin Report) 11US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records) 20US Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records) 15
Year-end charts Chart (1992)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM) 93
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Europe24 February 1992EMIUnited Kingdom16 March 199223 March 1992CD2
References