The Big Picture (Michael W. Smith album)

Last updated
The Big Picture
Bigpicture.jpg
Studio album by
Michael W. Smith
ReleasedFebruary 1, 1986
Recorded1985
Studio
Genre Contemporary Christian music
Length50:39
Label Reunion
Producer Michael W. Smith, John Potoker
Michael W. Smith chronology
Michael W. Smith 2
(1984)		The Big Picture
(1986)		 The Live Set
(1987)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
Jesus Freak HideoutStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]

The Big Picture is the third album by contemporary Christian music artist Michael W. Smith, released in 1986 on Reunion Records. [3] The title comes from "Pursuit of the Dream," in which it is heard a few times, but also applies to the variety of themes for young people to learn about from the songs. That track instructs on pursuing goals, and other themes include the folly of escapism ("Lamu"), sexual abstinence before marriage ("Old Enough to Know"), and maintaining a positive self image ("You're Alright"). Track 9. "Tearing Down The Wall" opens with a reverse snippet of Amy Grant's "Emmanuel". The Big Picture was ranked at number 21 on CCM Magazine's100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. [4] Smith won a GMA Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 18th GMA Dove Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 29th Grammy Awards.

Contents

Track listing

CD release [5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lamu"Smith, Kirkpatrick, Amy Grant 5:55
2."Wired for Sound" 6:00
3."Old Enough to Know" 4:47
4."Pursuit of the Dream" 5:11
5."Rocketown" 4:32
6."Voices" 5:50
7."The Last Letter" 4:37
8."Goin' Thru the Motions" 4:55
9."Tearin' Down the Wall" 3:35
10."You're Alright"Smith, Kirkpatrick, Chris Rodriguez 4:36
11."Coda" (Hidden track)Smith0:41

Personnel

Backing vocals on "Voices"

Production

Chart performance

Chart (1986)Peak
position
US Christian Albums (Billboard) [6] 2

Accolades

GMA Dove Awards

YearWinnerCategory
1987The Big PicturePop/Contemporary Album of the Year

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References

  1. ↑ Granger, Thom. "The Big Picture". AllMusic . Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  2. ↑ Frias, Sherwin (February 10, 2007). "Michael W. Smith, "The Big Picture" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  3. ↑ Michael W. Smith: The Big Picture. Reunion Records. 1986.
  4. ↑ Granger, Thom, ed. (2001). The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. Harvest House. pp. 92–95. ISBN   0-7369-0281-3.
  5. ↑ "Michael W. Smith – The Big Picture". Discogs. May 1986. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Michael W. Smith Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
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