Promised Land

"Promised Land" is a 1987 single by American producer and DJ Joe Smooth, featuring Anthony Thomas and is one of the most widely acclaimed house classics. Background and release Smooth got the idea for "Promised Land" while he was on tour in Europe with Farley "Jackmaster" Funk. He saw how well house music was received in Europe and wrote "Promised Land" with inspiration from classic Motown songs. He was determined to write a classic song with the same type of spirit. Smooth gained international acclaim with the release of the track. It spoke of how humans, as brothers and sisters, should unite in love and thrive in paradise. Dance music was very popular in the underground culture in Chicago at that time and "Promised Land" became a big club-hit. Originally released in 1987, it peaked at #56 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1989 following the Top 40 success of a cover version by The Style Council. It has been covered several times since its release. In October 2004, "Promised Land" appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Within the game, the song could be heard playing on the fictional House Music radio station SF-UR. Impact and legacy In 1995, British DJ Graham Gold picked "Promised Land" as one of his favourite songs, saying, "I got it in '89 when I wasn't known for playing house. It's one of those wicked emotional records where the lyrical and musical content is so uplifting that you never get tired of hearing it." Also British hardhouse and trance music record producer Jon the Dentist chose it as one of his favourites same year, adding, "It's got uplifting vocals. I hate singing but I'm always singing along when I play it. I'm sure people are thinking, who's that prat in the DJ box. It's what deep house should be all about."