:en:Heart to Yours

{{italic title}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Heart to Yours

| type = studio

| artist = Michelle Williams

| cover = MichelleWilliams-HeartToYours.jpg

| alt =

| released = {{start date|2002|4|16}}

| recorded = 2001–2002

| studio =

| genre = Gospel

| length = 47:55

| label =

| producer =

| next_title = Do You Know

| next_year = 2004

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Heart to Yours

| type = studio

| single1 = Heard a Word

| single1date = March 5, 2002

}}

}}

Heart to Yours is the debut solo studio album by American singer and songwriter Michelle Williams. Released on April 16, 2002, by Sanctuary and Columbia Records, it became the first solo release of any Destiny's Child member. Production of the album began in 2001, with Williams working with an array of producers, including her brother Erron Williams (who produced the title track), HR Crump and Warryn Campbell. Heart to Yours is primarily a contemporary gospel album, which incorporates elements of other styles and genres such as neo-soul, inspirational, R&B and rock music. The album includes a tribute, dedicated to the victims and families affected by the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. Writing on her vocal performances, critics drew comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott.

Receiving generally positive reviews from critics, Heart to Yours peaked at number one on the US Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, after debuting at number two with 17,000 copies sold in its first week. It has since sold over 220,000 copies in the US alone and 500,000 worldwide; eventually becoming 2002's biggest selling gospel album.{{cite magazine | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/08/RR-2008-08-29-IDX-20.pdf#search=%22michelle%20williams%20unexpected%22 | title=A New Destiny | first=Foladé | last=Bell | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=August 29, 2008 | accessdate=October 2, 2021 }} The album was ranked number six on the 2002 year-end chart and Billboard ranked Williams as the fifth Top Gospel Artist of 2002. The album was also a success on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it peaked within the top 20 at number 17. It also reached a moderate 57 on the US Billboard 200. The album won Williams an award for "Best Gospel Act" at the 2002 MOBO Awards and its lead single "Heard a Word" was featured on the RIAA platinum-certified WOW Gospel 2003 compilation album.{{cite web | url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2003/wowgospel2003.html | publisher=Christianity Today | accessdate=December 22, 2008 | year=2003 | first=LaTonya | last=Taylor | title=(review) WOW Gospel 2003 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211151756/http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2003/wowgospel2003.html | archive-date=December 11, 2008 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r625658|pure_url=yes}} | publisher=Allmusic | accessdate=December 22, 2008 | year=2003 | first=Andy | last=Kellman | title=(review) WOW Gospel 2003}}[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php RIAA official site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231133408/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php |date=2009-12-31 }}. Retrieved October 5, 2009.

Background and production

Williams began her singing career as a backing vocalist for R&B singer Monica in 1999 before joining Destiny's Child with Farrah Franklin alongside original members Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland, replacing former members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson to much controversy in 2000.{{Cite news|last=Duran|first=Tonx|title=Destiny's Child Reunites For New Album After Solo Success|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hb8DAAAAMBAJ&q=Destiny%27s+Child+solo+debut+albums&pg=PA60|work=Jet|date=December 6, 2004|accessdate=April 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215102325/https://books.google.com/books?id=Hb8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=Destiny%27s+Child+solo+debut+albums&source=bl&ots=UzPEDwLM_v&sig=62JVrMgCee-ZkoWfuD2xx0HijDw&hl=en&ei=r726TbXzMc238QOXkJjABQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDwQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Destiny%27s%20Child%20solo%20debut%20albums&f=false|archive-date=February 15, 2017|url-status=live}} In late 2000, while recording their third album, Survivor, Destiny's Child revealed that they would produce solo albums to be released "simultaneously" in the "hope" that they would "boost interest in Destiny's Child". Describing the stylistic differences of the albums' directions, Knowles said "We're going to all do different types of music and support each other's album" before saying "hopefully it will broaden our audience, so it will help us all out".{{Cite news |last=vanHorn |first=Teri |title=Destiny's Child Solo CDs Won't Compete With Group, Each Other |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1375022/20001208/destinys_child.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=December 8, 2000 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105135840/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1375022/20001208/destinys_child.jhtml |archive-date=January 5, 2009 |url-status=dead }} The idea of individual releases emanated from the group's manager and Knowles' father, Mathew.{{cite news |title=Kelly Rowland pursues her own destiny |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/23/mroom.rowland/index.html |work=Cable News Network |date=January 23, 2003 |accessdate=May 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007222837/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/23/mroom.rowland/index.html |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |url-status=live }} After the release of Survivor, the group announced in early 2002 a temporary break-up to focus on solo projects, including working on their own albums.{{Cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |title=Destiny's Child's Long Road To Fame (The Song Isn't Called 'Survivor' For Nothing) |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1504044/20050613/destinys_child.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=June 13, 2005 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624084104/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1504044/destinys-childs-long-road-fame.jhtml |archive-date=June 24, 2011 |url-status=dead }} Before undertaking their respective solo projects, the group released a Christmas album, 8 Days of Christmas.{{Cite news |last=VanHorn |first=Teri |title=Destiny's Child Put 'Stank' Into Christmas On Holiday Album |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449126/20010924/destinys_child.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=April 24, 2008 |access-date=May 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104105510/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449126/20010924/destinys_child.jhtml |archive-date=January 4, 2009 |url-status=dead }}

Williams worked in the studio with several musical collaborators, including Scott “Shavoni” Parker, Damon Elliott, Warren Campbell and gospel producer HR Crump. Williams also co-wrote five of the songs whilst her brother Erron Williams, produced numerous tracks.{{Cite news |last=Moss |first=Corey |title=Destiny's Child Solo Gospel Album Features 9/11 Tribute |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452910/20020315/story.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=March 15, 2002 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504203528/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452910/20020315/story.jhtml |archive-date=May 4, 2009 |url-status=dead }} She revealed in an interview with Gospel Flava that she "received tremendous support" from Music World, saying, "they came to me. There wasn't a question as to what type of music I was going to do. Music World has a Gospel division and I'm the first artist to come out on Music World and in the Gospel division. I'd love to do more and more Gospel projects". She also discussed her Christian upbringing, saying, "I grew up in Rockford, Illinois. St. Paul Church Of God In Christ was and still is my home church". Furthermore, she explained, "I sang my first solo at the age of seven. I directed the choir, I was an usher. I was a straight-up church girl. I did a lot of stuff in the community such as singing in various choirs and at my school." In discussing the musical transition she said, "it wasn't a hard transition at all. This is something that has been in my heart to do, so I had to do it. I thought that it would be a perfect time. Choosing to do this at the height of my career rather than doing it when Destiny's Child is at a downfall, you know? Most people do that. They go Gospel when they don't have anything else to do anymore, you know? I chose to do this while I can reach people."{{cite web |last=Bonner |first=Gerrard |title=Interview with Michelle Williams From Her Heart to Yours |url=http://www.gospelflava.com/articles/michellewilliams2.html |work=Gospel Flava |year=2002 |accessdate=December 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707082725/http://www.gospelflava.com/articles/michellewilliams2.html |archive-date=July 7, 2013 |url-status=live }} She echoed this sentiment in speaking with Billboard about the album and its artistic direction, saying: "Some people will do gospel when their career fails, but I chose to do it at the height of the popularity of Destiny's Child. I didn't want to do it because it was a fad. I wanted to do it because it's in me. It's in my heart."{{Cite web|title=Heart to Heart|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76111/hot-product|work=Billboard.com|date=14 March 2001|accessdate=April 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707044758/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76111/hot-product|archive-date=July 7, 2014|url-status=live}}

Content and composition

File:Erica and Tina Campbell.jpg (pictured) co-wrote and feature on "So Glad".]]Generally, the album consists of urban contemporary gospel containing elements of R&B, neo-soul and traditional black gospel music, with inspirational lyrics about building, maintaining and appreciating a relationship with God which also encourage the listener that "everything is going to work out fine". The album's lead single, "Heard a Word", sums up the theme of the album, with its chorus: "I heard a word / Saying girl, you'll be fine / I heard a word that would ease my troubled mind / Took all the hurt away / Warmed me up inside like a summer day / So glad that you'd never break your promises". Other songs are tributes to the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States; "Better Place", written by Michelle Williams, Damon Elliott and Kayla Parker, is one such example which was inspired by the catastrophic event and is an emotional tribute to those who died in the attack.

The album features guest vocals by various artists, including Williams' Destiny's Child bandmates – Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé Knowles – on "Gospel Medley" (originally produced for the group's 2001 album, Survivor) which consists of an interpolation of Kirk Franklin's "Holy is the Lamb", the popular Anna B. Warner hymn "Jesus Loves Me" and concludes with the famous final section of Richard Smallwood's "Total Praise". Other guests include Carl Thomas on a remixed version of the BeBe & CeCe Winans classic, "Heaven", (featured as a bonus track on the album); Men of Standard's Isaac Carree and Lowell C. Pye on "You Care for Me"; Mary Mary on "So Glad"; and Shirley Caesar on "Steal Away to Jesus", which was heralded by most critics as "the album's high point" and was first included on Caesar's 2001 album, Hymns.{{Cite news |last=vanHorn |first=Teri |title=Independent Women Of Destiny's Child Coordinate Solo Projects |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449919/20011011/destinys_child.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=October 11, 2001 |access-date=April 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212233639/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449919/20011011/destinys_child.jhtml |archive-date=February 12, 2010 |url-status=dead }}

In discussing the collaborations, Williams said it was "no problem" to connect with the featured artists on the album, saying "a phone call was made and we were already cool with one another. It kinda wasn't even a business thing. It was like 'that's my girl', you know, and I personally asked them myself. So that's how that went." She also revealed she was "initially uncertain about boldly referencing Jesus on the project". Whilst discussing the lyrical content she stated, "at first I was like, 'should I say Jesus', but before I knew it, I couldn't help but to [say His name] [...] I wasn't going to let anybody stop me from doing that...not that anybody really was, you know?".

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite web |last=Ruhlmann |first=William |title=Album Review: Michelle Williams – Heart to Yours |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r586772|pure_url=yes}} |work=Allmusic |publisher=Macrovision Company |accessdate=April 17, 2008}}

| rev2 = Cross Rhythms

| rev2Score = {{rating|10|10|full=U+25A0.svg|empty=U+25A1.svg|rating=square}}

| rev3 = Rolling Stone

| rev3Score = (Mixed){{Cite magazine |last=Hopkins |first=Tracy |title=Michelle Williams: Heart to Yours |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michellewilliams/albums/album/158005/review/5943022/heart_to_yours |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 16, 2002 |accessdate=April 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115065427/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michellewilliams/albums/album/158005/review/5943022/heart_to_yours |archive-date=January 15, 2008 |url-status=dead }}

| rev4 = Slant Magazine

| rev4Score = {{rating|3|5}}

}}

Heart to Yours received generally positive reviews from critics. William Ruhlmann of AllMusic complimented the non-hasty production of the album, noting that "there are different producers on nearly every track, and the arrangements for the most part are state-of-the-art urban contemporary efforts". Ruhlmann also described Williams' voice as "warm" and "kittenish" before writing that "by the time Williams is trading lines with Isaac Carree and Lowell Pye of Men of Standard" she "has transformed herself from kitten to tiger, belting out the words with absolute conviction". GospelCity.com also praised "Michelle's delicate vocals" – particularly on "You Care For Me" where Williams' "soulful chops" are said to "shine through brilliantly" – and noted that on "Heard A Word", Williams "demonstrates further versatility in Ella-like fashion", concluding the review by describing Heart to Yours as a "melodically pleasant, lyrically sound gospel project".{{Cite web|title=Michelle Williams – Heart To Yours|url=http://www.gospelcity.com/music/reviews/91/Page2|work=GospelCity.com|year=2002|accessdate=January 15, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928084935/http://www.gospelcity.com/music/reviews/91/Page2|archivedate=September 28, 2011}}

Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine also described Williams' voice was "warm", noting that it recalls "the playful wisps of her R&B contemporaries (Jill Scott, Erykah Badu) and the breathy timbre of Diana Ross". Cinquemani then described the album as being "a mix of slick hip-hop-style beats, inspirational themes and catchy, pop-friendly hooks" with "admirable", "largely restrained arrangements", lending particular praise to the "surprisingly eloquent (and non-denominational) sentiment" that is featured within the lyrics of the album's title track ("Heart to Yours").{{Cite web|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|title=Michelle Williams: Heart to Yours|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/michelle-williams-heart-to-yours/202|work=Slant Magazine|date=April 10, 2002|accessdate=January 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011015645/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/michelle-williams-heart-to-yours/202|archive-date=October 11, 2012|url-status=live}} Tracy Hopkins of Rolling Stone magazine gave the least favorable review however, stating that despite Williams' collaborations with contemporary gospel singers, they "only reinforce the thin-piped vocalist's shortcomings". Hopkins also wrote that although Williams "is in the right place", her vocals are "too quiet" and the production is too "tame to start a real Holy Ghost party". On the contrary, Mike Rimmer of Cross Rhythms gave a very favorable review of the album (10/10), describing "the quality" as being "superb throughout" and "Michelle's soulful laid back vocals" as being "delicious throughout".{{Cite web|last=Rimmer|first=Mike|title=Michelle Williams – Heart to Yours|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Michelle_Williams/Heart_To_Yours/5121/|work=Cross Rhythms|date=May 13, 2002|accessdate=January 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613220444/http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Michelle_Williams/Heart_To_Yours/5121/|archive-date=June 13, 2011|url-status=live}}

Commercial reception

While her musical cohorts were finishing their projects, Williams' management strategically planned a successive release of their albums to avoid "rivalry" on the charts. Over a period of one year, Williams released Heart to Yours on April 16, 2002, in the United States, ahead of Kelly Rowland's 2002 album, Simply Deep and Beyoncé Knowles' 2003 Dangerously in Love – all debut releases. Williams expressed that she wanted "to reach everyone" and hoped "that a small percentage of Destiny's Child's fanbase" would "get it and be reached" and "hear a different message".

"Heard a Word" was sent to Urban AC radio in September, 2002.{{cite magazine | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/02/RR-2002-09-20-IDX-35.pdf#search=%22michelle%20williams%20heard%20a%20word%22 | title=R&R Going For Adds | first=Mike | last=Trias | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=September 20, 2002 | accessdate=October 2, 2021 }} On September 27, 2002, "Heard a Word" and "Heart to Yours" were the 5th and 13th most added songs on Urban AC radio.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-09-27.pdf#search=%22michelle%20williams%22 | title=Urban AC Top 30: Most Added | page=103 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=September 27, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }} Between October and December, 2002, "Heart to Yours" appeared several times as a 'New & Active' title receiving airplay but did not debut in the Urban AC Top 30.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-10-11.pdf#page=60 | title=Urban AC Top 30: New & Active | page=58 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=October 11, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-10-18.pdf#page=55 | title=Urban AC Top 30: New & Active | page=53 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=October 18, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-10-25.pdf#page=44 | title=Urban AC Top 30: New & Active | page=44 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=October 25, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-11-01.pdf#page=47 | title=Urban AC Top 30: New & Active | page=45 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=November 1, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-11-15.pdf#page=42 | title=Urban AC Top 30: New & Active | page=40 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=November 15, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-11-22.pdf#page=45 | title=Urban AC Top 30: New & Active | page=43 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=November 22, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-12-13.pdf#page=58 | title=Urban AC Top 30: New & Active | page=56 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=December 13, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }} On November 29, 2002, "Heart to Yours" did however rise to number 6 on the Radio & Records Christian Rhythmic Specialty Programming chart,{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-11-29.pdf#page=81 | title=Christian: Rhythmic Specialty Programming | page=79 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=November 29, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }} where it continued to chart in the top 10 until February 7, 2003.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-12-20.pdf#page=68 | title=Christian: Rhythmic Specialty Programming | page=66 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=December 20, 2002 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-01-10.pdf#page=79 | title=Christian: Rhythmic Specialty Programming | page=77 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=January 10, 2003 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-01-24.pdf#page=84 | title=Christian: Rhythmic Specialty Programming | page=82 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=January 24, 2003 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-02-07.pdf#page=87 | title=Christian: Rhythmic Specialty Programming | page=83 | magazine=Radio & Records | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=February 7, 2003 | accessdate=May 6, 2024 }}

The album entered the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart at number two, behind The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/gospel-albums/2002-05-04/ |title=Top Gospel Albums |magazine=Billboard |date=May 4, 2002 |access-date=February 18, 2024}} with first week sales of 17,000 copies.{{Cite news|title=Ashanti Holds Off Sheryl Crow|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ashanti-holds-off-sheryl-crow-20020424|publisher=Rolling Stone|first=Andrew|last=Dansby|date=April 24, 2002|accessdate=August 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325235433/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ashanti-holds-off-sheryl-crow-20020424|archive-date=March 25, 2014|url-status=live}} In its 13th week on Top Gospel Albums, Heart to Yours peaked at number-one.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/gospel-albums/2002-07-27/ |title=Top Gospel Albums |magazine=Billboard |date=July 27, 2002 |access-date=February 18, 2024}} Eventually spending a total of 46 weeks on the chart, Heart to Yours became the best-selling gospel album of the year.{{Cite news |title=Music World Entertainment Launches New Faith-Based Label Music World Gospel |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/music-world-entertainment-launches-new-faith-based-label-music-world-gospel-95496034.html |work=PR Newswire |publisher=Forbes |date=June 3, 2010 |accessdate=September 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528044255/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/music-world-entertainment-launches-new-faith-based-label-music-world-gospel-95496034.html |archive-date=May 28, 2011 |url-status=live }}{{verify source|date=July 2024}} In addition to this, the album was listed at number six on the US Billboard Year-End Top Gospel Albums chart in 2002, making it one of the most successful gospel releases of the year on the Billboard charts.{{cite magazine |title=Billboard – Internet Archive|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RA0EAAAAMBAJ|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RA0EAAAAMBAJ/page/n141/mode/2up YE-98]|quote=billboard 2002 year-end.|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Internet Archive|date=December 28, 2002|accessdate=February 10, 2013}} On the main album chart in the US, the Billboard 200, the album reached number 57 on May 4, 2002, spending 14 weeks on the chart and also peaked within the top 20 of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, at number 17, where the album spent 24 weeks.{{Cite web |title=Heart to Yours – Michelle Williams|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=michelle williams|chart=all}}|work=Billboard.com|accessdate=January 15, 2011}} By October 12, 2002, the album had sold 159,000 units in the US{{cite magazine | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/2002/2002-10-12-Billboard-Page-0022.pdf#search=%22michelle%20williams%20159,000%20nielsen%20soundscan%22 | title=Knowles Keeps The Tunes Coming | first=Gail | last=Mitchell | magazine=Billboard | via=worldradiohistory.com | date=October 12, 2002 | accessdate=October 2, 2021 }} and more than 198,000 US copies by February 12, 2004.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/destinys-calling/|title=Destiny's Calling|first=Rome|last=Neal|work=CBS News|date=February 12, 2004|accessdate=September 17, 2021}} On November 14, 2004, The New York Times reported Heart to Yours had sold 203,622 copies in the US,{{Cite web |last=Ogunnaike |first=Lola |title=Beyoncé's Second Date With Destiny's Child |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/14/arts/music/14ogun.html |work=The New York Times |date=November 14, 2004 |accessdate=April 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528044859/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/14/arts/music/14ogun.html |archive-date=May 28, 2015 |url-status=live }} whilst Radio & Records reported sales of 220,000 in 2008. In the UK, Cross Rhythms ranked the songs "Rock With Me" (21) and "Heart To Yours" (26) on its year-end Top 100 Chart for 2002,{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/chart/?year=2002|date=July 5, 2003|title=Cross Rhythms Annual Chart: Top 100 Chart for 2002|magazine=Cross Rhythms|publisher=Cross Rhythms|access-date=February 3, 2024}} whilst the album has sold 3,200 UK copies as of July, 2003.{{Cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Alan|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2003/Music-Week-2003-07-05.pdf#page=14|date=July 5, 2003|title=Albums Commentary by Alan Jones|magazine=Music Week|page=12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805123849/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2003/Music-Week-2003-07-05.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=August 5, 2023|access-date=September 17, 2023}} Worldwide, the album has sold 500,000 units as of 2014.{{Cite web |title=EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Williams Dishes Details On 'Journey To Freedom' & Finding Her Voice|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531084430/http://cocoafab.com/exclusive-michelle-williams-dishes-details-on-journey-to-freedom-finding-her-voice/|archivedate=31 May 2016|url=http://cocoafab.com/exclusive-michelle-williams-dishes-details-on-journey-to-freedom-finding-her-voice/|author=Cortney M. Wills|work=Cocoa Fab|date=19 June 2014|accessdate=22 January 2021}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length =

| title1 = Heart to Yours

| writer1 = {{hlist|Erron Williams|Michelle Williams|Kayla Parker|Damion Washington}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Erron Williams|Parker{{ref|A|[A]}}}}

| length1 = 3:54

| title2 = Heard a Word

| writer2 = {{hlist|Michelle Williams|Louis Brown III|Scott Parker}}

| extra2 = Buster & Shavoni

| length2 = 4:56

| title3 = So Glad

| note3 = featuring Mary Mary

| writer3 = {{hlist|Erica Campbell|Tina Campbell|Warryn Campbell|Francisco Santacruz}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Campbell|Flintstone}}

| length3 = 3:54

| title4 = Sun Will Shine Again

| writer4 = Parker

| extra4 = {{hlist|Luther "Mano" Hanes|Parker}}

| length4 = 4:18

| title5 = Better Place (9.11)

| writer5 = {{hlist|Michelle Williams|Damon Elliott|Parker}}

| extra5 = Damon Elliott

| length5 = 3:01

| title6 = Change the World

| writer6 = {{hlist|HR Crump|Cole Brown}}

| extra6 = HR Crump

| length6 = 3:59

| title7 = Everything

| writer7 = {{hlist|HR Crump| Michelle Williams|Parker|Alvin Williams}}

| extra7 = HR Crump

| length7 = 3:33

| title8 = You Care for Me

| note8 = featuring Isaac Carree and Lowell Pye of Men of Standard

| writer8 = HR Crump

| extra8 = HR Crump

| length8 = 5:56

| title9 = Steal Away to Jesus

| note9 = duet with Shirley Caesar

| writer9 = {{hlist|Wallace Willis|Shirley Caesar}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|Caesar|Bubba Smith|Michael E. Mathis}}

| length9 = 3:27

| title10 = Rock with Me

| writer10 = {{hlist|Erron Williams|Parker}}

| extra10 = Erron Williams

| length10 = 6:04

| title11 = Gospel Medley

| note11 = Destiny's Child

| writer11 = {{hlist|Beyoncé Knowles|Kirk Franklin|Richard Smallwood}}

| extra11 = Knowles

| length11 = 3:26

| title12 = Heaven

| note12 = bonus track featuring Carl Thomas

| writer12 = {{hlist|BeBe Winans|Keith Thomas}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Mario Winans|Sean "P. Diddy" Combs|Paul Hemphill{{ref|B|[B]}}}}

| length12 = 3:07

|}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japan bonus track

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title13 = Steal Away to Jesus

| note13 = remix) (duet with Shirley Caesar

| writer13 = Wallace Willis, Shirley Caesar

| extra13 =

| length13 = 3:52

|}}

;Notes

Credits

Credits are taken from the album's liner notes.Music World Entertainment (2002). Michelle Williams – Heart to Yours (liner notes). Columbia Records.

;Managerial

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  • A&R – Alvin Williams

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;Performance credits

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{{col-2}}

  • Lead vocalsMichelle Williams
  • Guest vocals – Mary Mary (track 3 "So Glad"), Isaac Carree & Lowell Pye (of Men of Standard) (track 8 "You Care For Me"), Shirley Caesar (track 9 "Steal Away to Jesus"), Destiny's Child (track 11 "Gospel Medley"), Carl Thomas (track 12 "Heaven")

{{col-2}}

  • Backing vocals – Michelle Williams, Isaac Carree, Lowell Pye, Kayla Parker, Damon Elliott, New Direction, The Caesar Singers (Lisa Butts, Gene Conyers, Donald Gore, Michael E. Mathis, Bernard Sterling)

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;Visuals and imagery

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;Instruments

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  • Bass – Chris Kent, Shavoni
  • Drums – John Hammond, Shavoni
  • Guitar – Criss Johnson, Eric Walls
  • Keyboard – Sean Dancy, Israel Embry, Maurice Rodgers
  • Organ – Maurice Rodgers

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

;Technical and Production

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{{col-2}}

  • Engineers – Buster & Shavoni, Cedric Courtois, Dan Workman, Larry Sturm, Peter Thyssen, Rich Balmer, Thor Laewe, Wayne Allison
  • Mixing – Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado, Kevin Parker, Larry Sturm, Buster & Shavoni, Thor Laewe, Wayne Allison

{{col-2}}

  • Music producers – Scott Shavoni Parker, Buster, Warryn Campbell, Shirley Caesar, H.R. Crump, Damon Elliott, Luther "Mano" Hanes, Paul Hemphill, Michael E. Mathis, Kayla Parker, Bubba Smith, Erron Williams
  • Vocal producer – HR Crump, Kayla Parker

{{col-end}}

Charts

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=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

! scope="col"|Chart (2002)

! scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row" {{album chart|Billboard200|57|artist=Michelle Williams|refname=BB200|accessdate=December 29, 2012}}
scope="row" {{album chart|BillboardChristian|3|artist=Michelle Williams|refname=BBChristian|accessdate=April 12, 2013}}
scope="row" {{album chart|BillboardGospel|1|artist=Michelle Williams|refname=BBGospel|accessdate=December 29, 2012}}
scope="row" {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|17|artist=Michelle Williams|refname=BBR&B|accessdate=December 29, 2012}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

! scope="col"|Chart (2002)

! scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row"|US Christian Albums (Billboard){{Cite magazine |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009174537/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2002/illtitl.jsp|archivedate=October 9, 2012|title=2002 Year End Charts – Top Contemporary Christian Albums|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2002/illtitl.jsp|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Billboard.biz|date=December 28, 2002|accessdate=September 21, 2011|via=Wayback Machine}}

|align="center"|24

scope="row"|US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard)

|align="center"|6

{{col-end}}

Release history

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Label

scope="row" | United States

| April 16, 2002

| Sanctuary, Columbia

scope="row" | United Kingdom

| May 13, 2002

| rowspan="3"|Sony Music

scope="row" | Japan

| September 13, 2002

scope="row" | Germany

| December 2, 2003

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Category

!Recording

!Result

bgcolor="#bfd7ff"

| align=center colspan="5"|MOBO Awards{{Cite web|title=MOBO Awards 2002 {{!}} MOBO Organisation|url=https://mobo.com/history/2002#:~:text=Jimmy%20Cliff%20won%20Contribution%20To,car%20crash%20in%20April%202002.|work=MOBO Awards|accessdate=10 September 2023}}

align=center | 2002

|Best Gospel Act

| align=center |Heart to Yours

|{{won}}

bgcolor="#bfd7ff"

| align=center colspan="5"|GMA Dove Awards

align=center | 2002

|Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year

| align=center |"Steal Away to Jesus"

|{{nom}}

---- bgcolor="#bfd7ff"

| align=center colspan="5"|Gospel Music Excellence Awards{{Cite web|title=Finalists of the 22nd Annual Gospel Music Excellence Awards|url=http://www.gospelcity.com/news/events/75/Page3|work=GospelCity.com|accessdate=April 26, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308170104/http://www.gospelcity.com/news/events/75/Page3|archivedate=March 8, 2012}}{{Cite web|title=22nd Annual Gospel Music Excellence Award Winners|url=http://www.gospelflava.com/articles/gmwawinners-2003.html|work=GospelFlava.com|year=2003|accessdate=April 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315070427/http://www.gospelflava.com/articles/gmwawinners-2003.html|archive-date=March 15, 2012|url-status=live}}

align=center | 2003

|Female Vocalist of the Year – Urban Contemporary

| align=center |Heart to Yours

|{{nom}}

bgcolor="#bfd7ff"

| align=center colspan="5"|Stellar Awards{{Cite web|title="18th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards" Nominee List|url=http://www.gospelcity.com/industry/industry/186|work=GospelCity.com|accessdate=April 26, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308170114/http://www.gospelcity.com/industry/industry/186|archivedate=March 8, 2012}}{{Cite web|title=18th Annual Stellar Award Results|url=http://www.gospelflava.com/stellar/stellarresults-2003.html|work=GospelFlava.com|year=2003|accessdate=April 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711114242/http://www.gospelflava.com/stellar/stellarresults-2003.html|archive-date=July 11, 2011|url-status=live}}

align=center | 2003

|New Artist of the Year

| align=center |Heart to Yours

|{{nom}}

References