The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack is cited as the best-selling album of the gospel genre.
Released in 1996, The Preacher’s Wife: Original Soundtrack Album accompanied the film in which Whitney Houston starred as Julia Biggs, the wife of a preacher. Houston also served as a major producer on the album, working with Mervyn Warren and other contributors. Its songs combine traditional gospel, contemporary gospel, soul, and R&B elements.
The soundtrack debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and remained there for 26 consecutive weeks. It included Houston’s versions of gospel standards such as “I Go to the Rock” and “I Love the Lord,” as well as “Joy to the World” and the single “I Believe in You and Me.” The Georgia Mass Choir and other gospel performers also contributed.
The album was certified triple platinum in the United States and is widely described as having sold about six million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling gospel album of all time. The key distinction is that this claim refers to the gospel category, not to all soundtrack albums or all music genres.