Higher Ground (Jennifer Rush song)

"Higher Ground" is a song by American singer Jennifer Rush from her 1989 album, Wings of Desire. It was written by Ken Cummings and Mark Blatt and produced by Phil Ramone. "Higher Ground" was released as the first single from Wings of Desire in December 1989. Later, the song was recorded in French by Mario Pelchat and Celine Dion for Pelchat's 1993 album. This version was released as a promotional single in Quebec.

Background and release
The song is a panegyric in which Rush praises her partner for loving her and explains that should (s)he ever need assistance, she will be "standing on higher ground" and will look after him.

Released as the first single from Wings of Desire, "Higher Ground" peaked at number 30 in Austria, number 54 in Germany and number 98 in the United Kingdom. To promote the single, a music video was released which features Rush singing and dancing.

Rush performed the song on Peter's Popshow. According to the liner notes of her next album, The Power of Jennifer Rush, she explained that after that performance she slipped off the stage and broke her leg; despite honoring most of her tour dates, this caused a considerable delay in recording The Power of Jennifer Rush, and was the reason that album was issued as a compilation album rather than a studio album. The song also appears on Jennifer Rush: The Hit Box (2002), The Power of Love: The Complete Video Collection (2004), Hit Collection and Stronghold – The Collector's Hit Box.

Formats and track listings

 * European 7-inch single


 * 1) "Higher Ground" – 4:20
 * 2) "Angel" – 4:39


 * European 12-inch single


 * 1) "Higher Ground" (extended version) – 6:31
 * 2) "Angel" – 4:39
 * 3) "Higher Ground" (single version) – 4:20


 * UK 7-inch single


 * 1) "Higher Ground" (7" version) – 4:20
 * 2) "The Power of Love" – 4:20


 * UK CD single


 * 1) "Higher Ground" (7" version) – 4:20
 * 2) "Higher Ground" (extended version) – 6:31
 * 3) "The Power of Love" – 4:20

Mario Pelchat and Celine Dion version
In 1993, "Higher Ground" was covered in French by Canadian singers, Mario Pelchat and Celine Dion. It was titled "Plus haut que moi" (meaning "higher than me"), with words written by Eddy Marnay and production handled by Aldo Nova. "Plus haut que moi" was released as a promotional single and reached number six on the airplay chart in Quebec.

Background and release
Canadian singer Mario Pelchat released his fifth studio album, Pelchat in February 1993. It reached number three on the albums chart in Quebec and was certified 2× platinum in Canada. The album included "Plus haut que moi", a duet with Canadian singer Celine Dion. It was released as the third promotional single in Quebec in September 1993. In 1995, the promotional single was also released in France. In 2005, Dion included "Plus haut que moi" on the l'intégrale edition of her greatest hits album, On ne change pas.

Commercial performance
"Plus haut que moi" entered the airplay chart in Quebec on September 11, 1993. It peaked at number six and stayed on the chart for 19 weeks.