Friends for Life (1987)

Friends for Life is the ninth studio and fourth Christian album by American singer Debby Boone, released around April 1987 by Lamb & Lion Records with distribution by Benson Records. The album was produced by Michael Omartian and Dan Posthuma.

Friends for Life returns Boone to her adult contemporary sound and leaving behind the polished pop of her previous album Choose Life. Boone, once again teams with Michael and Stormie Omartian composing, writing and producing and with Dan Posthuma co-producing. The album consisted of covers and originals. Tracks include Chuck Girard's "The Name Above All Names" (featuring backing vocals by Girard himself), the Michael Kelly Blanchard praise anthem "Be Ye Glad," "To Every Generation," "A Little Broken Bread" (both written by Bill Batstone) and Gary Chapman's "Sincerely Yours." The only upbeat track on Friends for Life is "Masihlanganeni (Let Us Stand Together)," an African percussive number with guest vocals by Bruce Sudano (Donna Summer's husband) and Joe "Bean" Esposito (both from the disco trio Brooklyn Dreams) and Brenda Russell.

Friends for Life peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. In 1988, Boone was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Female for the track "The Name Above All Names." This is also Boone's final album of original material.

Curb Records currently is now the distributor of Friends for Life on CD since 2008.

Track listing

1. Be Ye Glad (Michael Kelly Blanchard) -4:16

2. Make Me Ready (music by Michael Omartian, words by Stormie Omartian)

-4:58

3. Unconditional Love (Randy Goodrum) -4:59

4. To Every Generation (Bill Batstone) -5:39

5. The Name Above All Names (Chuck Girard) -4:45

6. A Little Broken Bread (Bill Batstone) -4:34

7. Above All Else (music by Michael Omartian, words by Stormie Omartian) -4:32

8. Masihlanganeni (Let Us Stand Together) (guest vocals by Brenda Russell,

Bruce Sudano and Joe "Bean" Esposito) (Joe B. Arthur, Danny Bridgens, Nic

Patton, Victor Phume) -5:02

9. Friends for Life (music by Michael Omartian, words by Stormie Omartian) -3:25

10. Sincerely Yours (Gary Chapman) -3:06

Radio singles

1987 "The Name Above All Names" -#6 Christian AC

1987 "Be Ye Glad" -#11 Christian AC

1988 "A Little Broken Bread" -#7 Christian AC

1988 "Masihlanganeni (Let Us Stand Together)" -#22 Christian AC

Previous release: The Best of Debby Boone (1986) (compilation album)

Next release: Reflections (1988) (compilation album)