The Ride is the fifth studio album by the Christian music male vocal group 4Him, released on October 4, 1994 by Benson Records. The album is produced by Don Koch, Michael Omartian and Peter Wolf.
The Ride takes 4Him into a more contemporary pop direction with more upbeat songs while staying with their orchestrated ballads like the album's lead single "For Future Generations." It is the first time that the group has worked with new producers, besides their long-time producer Koch, with Wolf (Starship, Heart, Laura Branigan) and Omartian (Amy Grant, The Imperials, Christopher Cross) each producing three tracks. 4Him member Mark Harris co-wrote all but one song on the album including "Shelter in the Rain" with member Marty Magehee and "The Nature of Love" with fellow CCM singer - songwriter Steve Camp. The songs "Wings" and "Real Thing" were the big radio hits topping both the Christian CHR and Christian AC charts.
The Ride peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. In 1995, 4Him won their third consecutive Dove Award for Group of the Year at the 26th GMA Dove Awards. The following year, they were nominated for Artist of the Year, Group of the Year and Long Form Music Video of the Year for their concert video The Ride Comes Alive.
Track listing
1. Wings (Mark Harris, Don Koch) -3:59
2. The Nature of Love (Mark Harris, Steve Camp, Don Koch) -3:33
3. For Future Generations (Mark Harris, Don Koch, Dave Clack) -4:50
4. Shelter in the Rain (Mark Harris, Marty Magehee) -3:49
5. Between You and Me (Mark Harris, Don Koch, Peter Wolf) -4:34
6. Real Thing (Mark Harris, Don Koch, Dave Clack) -4:27
7. Ride of Life (Mark Harris, Don Koch) -4:38
8. As Long As My Heart Knows It's You (Mark Harris, Don Koch, Dave Clack) -4:17
9. What Do I Know (Billy Simon, Jeff Silvey) -3:52
10. Love Finds You (Mark Harris, Don Koch) -6:00
Personnel
4Him:
Mark Harris -vocals
Andy Chrisman -vocals
Kirk Sullivan -vocals
Marty Magehee -vocals
Production credits
Don Koch -prducer (tracks 3, 7 -9)
Michael Omartian -producer (tracks 2, 4 and 6)
Peter Wolf - producer (tracks 1, 5 and 10)
Accolades
Dove Award -Group of the Year
Radio singles
1994 "For Future Generations" -#4 Christian CHR, #1 Christian AC
1994 -1995 "Wings" -#1 Christian CHR, #1 Christian AC
1995 "Real Thing" -#1 Christian CHR, #1 Christian AC
1995 "Love Finds You" -#3 Christian AC
1995 "Ride of Life" -#4 Christian CHR, #10 Christian AC
1995 -1996 "The Nature of Love" -#11 Christian CHR, #2 Christian AC
Previous release: Christmas: The Season of Love (1993)
Next release: The Message (1996)
Watch the music video of "Ride of Life" here:
Watch the music video of "Real Thing" here:
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