Released October 14, 1977 Recorded 1977 Length 4:10 | Format 7" Genre Soft rock | |
B-side "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" | ||
"Love Is the Answer" is a song written by Todd Rundgren for his band Utopia. It is the closing track on their 1977 album Oops! Wrong Planet.
Although Utopia's version did not reach the music charts, a cover version by England Dan & John Ford Coley reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1979 and spent two weeks atop the Billboard adult contemporary chart. John Ford Coley was quoted as saying: "Of all the songs we released as singles, that was my favorite. The song first of all had a classical base, and the middle had a gospel section which I loved."
The song has been covered several times by Christian artists. Sheila Walsh recorded it in 1988 for her album, Say So, and performed it on her very first The 700 Club appearance as co-hostess. Bill Cantos & Justo Almario covered it in 1995 for his album, Who Are You. Cindy Morgan covered it in 2000 for her greatest hits album, Best So Far. Bob Carlisle and Bryan Duncan recorded a gospel blues version in 2001. Filipino singer Gary Valenciano also covered the song on his 2001 album, Revive. In 2004, Glen Campbell recorded the song and was released as the title track of the album Love Is the Answer: 24 Songs of Faith, Hope and Love. Christian Contemporary band Circle of Friends covered it on their 2012 album Chosen & Beloved, pairing it with the old hymnTell Me The Story of Jesus.