Find a Way
Encyclopedia
"Find a Way" is a 1985 single by Christian music
singer Amy Grant
. It was released as the first single from her Unguarded
album. Also, "Find A Way" was Grant's first major single release, as it was issued in secular outlets by A&M Records
along with the album. Although the single was released in both the United States
and the United Kingdom
with "It's Not A Song" as a B-side, it only charted in America.
"Find a Way" is an uptempo, inspirational song in which Grant encourages her listener, an "angry young woman," to persevere and stay optimistic despite life's trials, because "love will surely find a way."
had become one of the most popular contemporary Christian singers ever. Her album Age to Age
had become the best-selling Christian album up to that point; it became the first Christian album by a solo artist to be certified gold in 1983.
Although Grant never made public her intentions to become a secular artist during this period, her success might have hinted at future decisions. When she penetrated into the country charts in late 1983 with the holiday single "Tennessee Christmas," she managed to be nominated for an ACM
award for Best New Female Vocalist. In 1985 she continued her success when she performed "Angels," a song from her 1984 album Straight Ahead
, on the nationally televised Grammy Awards.
At this point, her record company had become convinced that she would be equally successful as a mainstream artist. They soon began negotiations with the major independent label A&M to distribute their catalogue in secular outlets. The deal went into effect in January 1985 when A&M reissued Straight Ahead in secular outlets. Although it only peaked at #133 on the Billboard 200, it did go gold and was a bigger success than most Christian artists had at the time, and so she and her management decided to record a crossover album.
Due to the extensive synthesizers and keyboards in the song, "Find A Way" was a mainstream hit. It reached the Top Ten of the Adult Contemporary chart and the Top Forty of the pop chart. The album was fairly successful on the pop chart as well, reaching #29. In spite of accusations by longtime Christian fans that Grant had "crossed over" into pop http://smallproblem.com/grant/amygrant.pdf, "Find A Way" was also the singer's fifth number-one Christian single.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
singer Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
. It was released as the first single from her Unguarded
Unguarded
Unguarded is the ninth album by Christian music singer Amy Grant, released in 1985 on A&M Records. It is Amy's first album released by A&M....
album. Also, "Find A Way" was Grant's first major single release, as it was issued in secular outlets by A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
along with the album. Although the single was released in both the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with "It's Not A Song" as a B-side, it only charted in America.
"Find a Way" is an uptempo, inspirational song in which Grant encourages her listener, an "angry young woman," to persevere and stay optimistic despite life's trials, because "love will surely find a way."
Background
Between 1982 and 1984, Amy GrantAmy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
had become one of the most popular contemporary Christian singers ever. Her album Age to Age
Age to Age
Age to Age is the sixth album by Christian music singer Amy Grant, released in 1982 on Myrrh Records.Age to Age was Amy Grant's breakthrough album, finally earning her serious recognition within the burgeoning Contemporary Christian music community as it ushered her into stardom, and also...
had become the best-selling Christian album up to that point; it became the first Christian album by a solo artist to be certified gold in 1983.
Although Grant never made public her intentions to become a secular artist during this period, her success might have hinted at future decisions. When she penetrated into the country charts in late 1983 with the holiday single "Tennessee Christmas," she managed to be nominated for an ACM
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
award for Best New Female Vocalist. In 1985 she continued her success when she performed "Angels," a song from her 1984 album Straight Ahead
Straight Ahead (Amy Grant album)
Straight Ahead is the eighth album by Christian music artist Amy Grant, released in 1984. This was Grant's final album on Myrrh Records; she would later strike a record deal with A&M Records....
, on the nationally televised Grammy Awards.
At this point, her record company had become convinced that she would be equally successful as a mainstream artist. They soon began negotiations with the major independent label A&M to distribute their catalogue in secular outlets. The deal went into effect in January 1985 when A&M reissued Straight Ahead in secular outlets. Although it only peaked at #133 on the Billboard 200, it did go gold and was a bigger success than most Christian artists had at the time, and so she and her management decided to record a crossover album.
Chart Success
"Find A Way" was released commercially in mainstream record shops in 1985 by A&M. Word chose not to issue it commercially in Christian outlets, since most Christian singles at the time were released solely to radio stations.Due to the extensive synthesizers and keyboards in the song, "Find A Way" was a mainstream hit. It reached the Top Ten of the Adult Contemporary chart and the Top Forty of the pop chart. The album was fairly successful on the pop chart as well, reaching #29. In spite of accusations by longtime Christian fans that Grant had "crossed over" into pop http://smallproblem.com/grant/amygrant.pdf, "Find A Way" was also the singer's fifth number-one Christian single.
Music video
The song featured a music video that was played heavily on MTV and VH1. The video is included on the Find a Way VHS and LaserDisc and has not been released on DVD, but it can be seen on YouTube.Peak positions
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary | 1 |
| US Billboard Christian | 1 |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 7 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 29 |