Change Your World

Description

Change Your World is the sixth studio album by the American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Michael W. Smith, released on Reunion Records in August 1992, with distribution by Geffen Records. The album was co-produced by Michael W. Smith and Mark Heimermann.

Change Your World was reported to have sold in excess of 420,000 units even before it was officially released. The album was certified Gold (500,000 copies sold) by the RIAA in November 1992 and Platinum (one million copies sold) in November 1997. The inclusion of his elegiac signature ballad “Friends” in revamped form provides a link to Smith’s early work. “Somewhere Somehow” is a duet with Amy Grant. As a result of Change Your World, Michael W. Smith was recognized as Best New Adult Contemporary Artist by the American Music Awards. “Picture Perfect” was later covered by Ingrid & the Swing Katz on their 1999-album, Coolest Swing Album Ever.

From the start, Michael W. Smith sought to bring his Christian message to a wider audience. Change Your World was a notable milestone toward achieving this goal, consolidating the crossover success of his ’91 pop hit «Place In This World». Supple dance grooves and arena-rock guitar gestures dominate the sound, with high-profile assistance from the likes of Amy Grant and dcTalk. «Picture Perfect», «Love One Another», and «I Wanna Tell the World» match body-grabbing tracks with God-informed lyric content. As on earlier albums, Smitty returns to issues of faith in the real world, touching upon themes of personal identity («Cross of Gold»), interracial brotherhood («Color Blind») and worldwide compassion («Give It Away») in nonsectarian terms. The inclusion of his elegiac signature ballad «Friends» in revamped form provides a link to Smith’s early work. Change Your World’s sparkling production and nuanced spiritual approach still have the power to uplift today.

When you’re a kid, you’re not necessarily looking for art in the music you choose. You want something you can enjoy listening to, that you can share with your friends without being ridiculed. ‘Change Your World’ is something for the kid in all of us, because, more than any album he’s made before, Michael W. Smith has delivered a supremely fun album, with layered melodies and harmonies of the highest caliber. Co-produced by Smith with Mark Heimermann (the co-producer of Lisa Bevill’s oh-so sweet debut ‘My Freedom‘), it would be easy to describe ‘Change Your World’ as ‘The Big Picture‘ with big background vocals; easy, but unfair.

‘Change Your World’ is still about spiritual and emotional healing through godly self-esteem, and about finding friends who affirm you in your value system – but this time it all feels so much more natural. In «Picture Perfect», Smith sings what could have been your basic, wholesome high school love song, but writers Smith and long-time co-writer Wayne Kirkpatrick head for the charming chorus, “You don’t have to be picture perfect/ To be in my world/ You don’t have to be picture perfect/ To fit the frame.”

Smith and Kirkpatrick then come from the other side with «Somebody Love Me», as Smith sings from the perspective of someone who feels unloved: “It’s like wanting to sing/ But needing a song/ When will I hear the music playing.” To the songwriter’s credit, they don’t attempt to answer the problem with a cheap phrase or with ‘God loves you, that’s enough.’ Loneliness is real, and Smith’s sympathy is refreshing.

Though ‘Change Your World’ isn’t a banner-waving platform, Smith’s faith is still integral to his music: «Give It Away» and «Cross of Gold» are both clear statements of where his foundation lies. The former is an anthem that should do well on Christian radio, with the conclusion, “Love isn’t love until you give it away.” And «Cross of Gold» could very well be the focal point of the whole album: musically, because it’s a solid jam; lyrically, because it calls the holy rollers out on the carpet – “Is it a flame/ Is it a passion… or is it a game/ Religion in fashion.” In the bridge, electronic whispers float over the music, “Is it decoration or proclamation? For some it’s just something to wear around your neck… it means a lot more than that to me.”

There’s also a duet with Amy Grant, «Somewhere Somehow», which may confuse some. It’s a song about distant loves, a kind of romantic equivalent to «Friends». And then there’s another love, the spunky «I Wanna Tell the World», which Smith wrote for his wife (with help from writers Heimermann and DC Talk‘s Toby McKeehan).

The big finale, though, is a fresh look at «Friends», which is celebrating 10 years. While the first recording, primitive by comparison, may accent the wistfulness of parting friends, the new recording is a big sounding anthem that will no doubt become a tear-jerker for a whole new arena of fans.

When someone has as much to lose as Smith, it’s exciting to see him make a project this fun and natural. Some fans may pass on this one – Lord bless ’em, they don’t just want the seed, they want all the fertilizer, too – but ‘Change Your World’ could certainly plant the seed of the Gospel with listeners everywhere.

And, just as importantly, here’s an album by a Christian that you can play for any of your friends. Because, when you’re a kid, you don’t want art, you want something to listen to… and it could change your world. [Chris Well, CCM, September 1992]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/change-your-world/309274862)

CD tracklist:

01. Picture Perfect – 4:06
02. Love One Another – 4:51
03. I Will Be Here For You – 4:32
04. Color Blind – 5:37
05. Somewhere Somehow – 4:17
06. Cross Of Gold – 4:32
07. Out Of This World – 4:23
08. Somebody Love Me – 4:19
09. Give It Away – 5:04
10. I Wanna Tell The World – 4:26
11. Friends – 4:39

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Reunion Records.

The October 1992 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Michael W. Smith.

The October 1992 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Michael W. Smith. as well as a full-page advertisement for KORG keyboards, endorsed by Smith.