The Next Time I Fall
The Next Time I Fall is a 1986 pop duet by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant from Cetera’s album Solitude/Solitaire. Written by Bobby Caldwell and Paul Gordon, the song was released as a single with Holy Moly as the B-side. It has several versions, including a remix and an extended cut.
The duet became a big hit, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary charts. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In 2020, Billboard listed it among the top 25 love song duets.
Background: The song was written with Cetera in mind. Caldwell and Gordon wrote it after Caldwell recorded a demo, and Cetera loved the tune. He wanted a partner who wasn’t an obvious choice, and a record company suggestion led to Amy Grant. Grant, who was primarily known for Christian music, was cautious and wanted to check the songwriters before agreeing to record. Caldwell even visited her to discuss the project, and she ultimately agreed to sing the duet.
Video: A music video was filmed at the Park Plaza Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, directed by Dominic Sena. It features Cetera and Grant lip-syncing along with footage of many dancers. The video performed well on music video charts.
Chart success: The Next Time I Fall debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 20, 1986, and stayed on the chart for 21 weeks, including a week at No. 1. It reached No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart as well, starting September 27 and remaining there for two weeks at the top, with a total of 22 weeks on the chart. Caldwell later recorded the song for his 1988 album Heart of Mine.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:32 (CET).