In God We Trust is the fourth release and third full-length studio album by the Christian hard rock band Stryper, released on June 28, 1988 by Enigma
Records with distribution by Capitol Records. The band produced the album with
Michael Lloyd.
Released nearly two years after the successful 1986 album To Hell with the Devil, Stryper returned with In God We Trust with more melodic pop metal and ballads. The lead single "Always There for You" went to number one on the Christian Rock chart and peaking at number 4 on the Christian CHR chart, a first for a hard rock song, plus on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it peaked at number 71. Stryper's lead singer and songwriter Michael Sweet recorded his version of this song for his second solo album, Real, in 1995 and took it to number one on the Christian CHR chart. Both this song and the power ballad "I Believe in You" were MTV hits.
Like To Hell with the Devil, bassist Tim Gaines was not involved in the making of this album. Gaines was only involved with touring and music video appearances.
In God We Trust peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and number 5 on the Top Christian Albums charts. The album was certified Gold three months after its release for sales of half a million copies. In 1989, Stryper were the first recipients of two Dove Awards in the inaugural categories of Hard Rock Album of the Year and Hard Rock Recorded Song of the Year for the title song. In God We Trust was reissued in 1991 by Hollywood Records.
Track listing
All songs were written by Michael Sweet, except where noted.
1. In God We Trust (Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet) -3:57
2. Always There for You -4:11
3. Keep the Fire Burning -3:34
4. I Believe in You -3:18
5. The Writings On the Wall -4:17
6. It's Up 2 U -3:50
7. The World Of You and I -3:45
8. Come to the Everlife (Oz Fox) -4:08
9. Lonely -4:09
10. The Reign (Oz Fox) -2:50
Gold certified in 1988.
Personnel
Stryper:
Michael Sweet -lead and backing vocals, guitars
Robert Sweet -drums
Oz Fox -backing vocals, lead guitars
Tim Gaines who plays bass guitar only appeared on tour and on their
music videos for the album
additional musicians:
John Van Tongeren -keyboards
Brad Cobb -bass guitar
Billy Meyers -keyboards
Stephen Croes -Synclavier programming
Radio singles
1988 "Always There for You" -#4 Christian CHR, #71 Billboard Hot 100
1988 "I Believe in You" -#6 Christian CHR, #88 Billboard Hot 100
Previous release: To Hell with the Devil (1986)
Next release: Against the Law (1990)
Watch the music video of "Always There for You" here:
Watch the music video of "I Believe in You" here:
Watch the live concert video Burning Flame Live in Japan 1989 here:
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