"Have a Little Faith in Me" is a song written and performed by John Hiatt that appears on his 1987 album Bring the Family. His version of the song has also appeared on the soundtracks of the movies Look Who’s Talking Now, Benny & Joon, The Theory of Flight, Cake, My Best Friend’s Girl, Love Happens, Father Figures, and Benjie. Live versions were included on 1994's Hiatt Comes Alive at Budokan? and 2005's Live from Austin, TX. The song has been included in all of his greatest hits collections, including 1998's The Best of John Hiatt and Greatest Hits — The A&M Years ’87-’94, 2001’s Anthology, 2003’s 20th Century Masters, and the 2005 box setChronicles.
Background
The song was the first song written by Hiatt following his sobriety from drugs and alcohol, which had already contributed to his marriage breakdown and his being released by former record labels. Hiatt's original attempt at recording the song took place at a friend's studio and included a larger instrument accompaniment. However, the recording was plagued by technical issues. The morning after, Hiatt was informed that his estranged wife had committed suicide. Hiatt attributes the technical problems with the original recording as a sign that the song was not meant to be heard that way, and he eventually released the song with a much simpler piano accompaniment.
"Have a Little Faith in Me" is the first single from the fourth studio album from Mandy Moore, Coverage. Moore has publicly admitted the original song to be one of her favorites. In 2004, the label included "Have a Little Faith in Me" in the first compilation of Mandy Moore, The Best of Mandy Moore. Later, in 2007, included the single in the deluxe edition of the second artist compilation album, Super Hits. The music video for "Have a Little Faith in Me" was directed by Christopher Mills, with whom Moore worked for the first time. "Have a Little Faith in Me" did not have a major impact in the United States, reaching the No. 39 position radial count Pop Songs. As the date, "Have a Little Faith in Me" has sold 1,000 physical copies and 45,000 paid digital downloads according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Bill Frisell released an instrumental version on his 1992 album Have a Little Faith.
Delbert McClinton recorded his version in 1992 for the albumNever Been Rocked Enough.
New Zealand electronica band Strawpeople recorded their version in 1992 for the album Worldservice.
Joe Cocker recorded his version in 1994 for the album Have a Little Faith.
Jewel recorded a cover for the soundtrack to the 1996 filmPhenomenon.
Ilse DeLange recored a cover of the song on her live album Dear John, in 1999.
Chaka Khan recorded a cover for the soundtrack to the 2000 HBO film Disappearing Acts.
X Factor UK finalist Daniel Evans recorded this for his 2010 debut album, No Easy Way.
Jon Bon Jovi recorded his version in 2011 for the film New Year's Eve.
Maisy Stella and Will Chase in the third season of the television showNashville. The song was performed on episode 19 "The Storm Has Just Begun." It was released as a single and included on the album The Music of Nashville: Season 3, Volume 2.
Pop Rock band The Summer Set sampled the main tempo for their song Heart on the Floor, featured on their 2013 album Legendary.
Dan Mangan recorded his version in 2019 as a single.
Galantis and Dolly Parton recorded their version in a 2019 single, "Faith".
