Description
So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt… is the third studio album by the American singer, songwriter, and pianist Keith Green, independently released in May 1980 as the first album on his own label Pretty Good Records, a division of Last Days Ministries. The album was recorded over a span of several months during 1979 and 1980 by Bob Cotton and Gordon Shryock at various studios in California – Mama Jo’s, Gold Mine, Paramount, United Western and Buckskin – with Bill Maxwell and Keith Green producing. Mixed by Cotton and Shryock at Paramount Recording Studios. Strings arranged and conducted by Ralph Carmichael.
Keith Green is backed by a session band consisting of various members of Koinonia with backing vocals provided by Matthew Ward of 2nd Chapter of Acts, Kelly Willard, as well as the McCrarys (Howard, Charity and Linda McCrary) on “You Love The World”. “Pledge My Head To Heaven” features harmonica by Bob Dylan.
So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt was included among CCM Magazine’s Top 10 Albums of 1980.
So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt is Keith Green’s most personal album with songs that reveal his personal struggles to live up to the No Compromise message. This album marked a turning point in Green’s career when he realized his principles would no longer allow him to charge money for albums. In 1979, after negotiating a release from his contract with Sparrow Records, Green initiated a new policy of refusing to charge money for concerts or albums. Keith and his wife Melody mortgaged their home to privately finance the new album. So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt was offered through mail-order and at concerts for whatever price the recipient was willing to pay. As of May 1982, Green had shipped out more than 200,000 units of his album – 61,000 for free. Green continued this policy for the remainder of his career.
“Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful” was later covered on the sixth installment of Maranatha! Music’s Praise Series, Praise Six: Come and Sing Praises (1982), and as well covered by Kim Boyce on her 1989-album, Love Is You To Me, by Steve Camp on his 1999-album, Abandoned to God, and by Josh Garrels on his 2025-album, Peace To All Who Enter Here, Volume 2.
Keith Green has just recorded a new album, and it will not be available for sale in bookstores or through any of the usual commercial outlets. Pretty Good Records has been given the exclusive right by Keith to give the album away to anyone for whatever they can afford to give in Return. “The whole reason for not charging a set price for the album is simple: We want everyone, no matter how much they have (even if it’s nothing), to be able to hear the ministry of new life in Jesus that springs forth from this powerfully anointed album. “At Last Days, we have always had a burden for the poor. To date we have sent out over a million tracts, thousands of ministry cassette tapes, and every six weeks we send out a newsletter magazine, world-wide, to almost 100,000 people — and we’ve never charged for any of them. We believe that if the Lord gives you something for free then you should share it freely (Matthew 10:8). The new album is our biggest undertaking yet, and we believe it will reach a lot of people. We don’t want anyone to be left out! “We’d really like to share this ministry of music with you, so if you would like a copy of Keith’s new album then use the attached coupon, and just give whatever you can afford, as God directs. “We realized that this is a matter of trust. Some have warned us that there will be those who will just use the opportunity to ‘get a free album’. But we hope you understand that we’re doing this, not so people can get a ‘good deal’, but simply because it’s hard for some people to reconcile paying 8 dollars for a gospel record, when they can hardly afford to buy shoes for their kids!” [Excerpt from an original 1979 promotional flyer]
Another fine album from Keith that balances songs of worship («O Lord You’re Beautiful»), personal challenge («If You Love The Lord»), calls to repentance («You Love The World») and personal shortcomings («Romans VII»). Keith’s biting humor is still alive and well on the title track. The Koinonia guys (Hockensmith, Maxwell, Rogers) return as backing musicians and there’s a surprise appearance by Bob Dylan playing harmonica on «Pledge My Head To Heaven». Original press was available by mail order only on a donation basis. Later store copies have a different inferior cover (a photo of camels). Pass the manna burgers! [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
In that this is Keith Green’s controversial “free” album, the immediate question is, “Is it as good as his previous two albums?” The answer is no – it’s better. So ‘You Wanna Go Back To Egypt…’ is smoother, slicker and more sophisticated. It sounds like a lot of work went into it.
Musically, Green is more creative than ever here. Lyrically, he’s more honest; his ability to communicate his feelings vocally is amazing. God’s grace is a recurring theme in the songs; which are easier to relate to because Green comes across less as a preacher and more as a fellow struggler.
As with the previous works, Green and Bill Maxwell shared the producer credits. Green played piano, Maxwell played drums and Hadley Hockensmith played guitars and bass. Bob Dylan makes an auspicious harmonica appearance on one cut, Harlan Rogers plays organ on another. The McCrary Family did background vocals on one song, while Keith, Kelly Willard and Matthew Ward sang the rest.
(Note: this album will not be available through normal retail channels. It is available only by mail. For more information, see the advertisement on page 43.) [CCM, May 1980]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/so-you-wanna-go-back-to-egypt/1442929605)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt” – 4:38
A2. “Pledge My Head To Heaven” – 3:55
A3. “If You Love The Lord” – 4:08
A4. “Romans VII” – 3:26
A5. “Lies” – 3:43
Side Two
B1. “I Want To Be More Like Jesus” – 4:24
B2. “Unless The Lord Builds The House” – 3:58
B3. “Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful” – 4:29
B4. “You Love The World” – 2:38
B5. “Grace By Which I Stand” – 4:52
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Pretty Good Records. The original mail-order LP version of the album (which was distributed by Last Days Ministries for free or donation) featured a blue cover while the commercial release sold in the record stores featured a black cover. Later re-issued on CD.
So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt Booklet (Back and Front Page)
So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt, Commercial Edition Artwork
CREDITS. Produced by Bill Maxwell and Keith Green. Recorded at Mama Jo’s, Gold Mine, Paramount, United Western and Buckskin Recording Studios. Engineered by Bob Cotton and Gordon Shryock. Second engineers: Billy Taylor, Wally Duguid and Peter Haden. Mixed by Cotton and Shryock at Paramount Recording Studios. Strings arranged and conducted by Ralph Carmichael. Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M. Art Direction and Design by Stan Evenson Design Inc.
Musicians: Keith Green (piano), Harlan Rogers (organ), Hadley Hockensmith (guitars, bass), Bill Maxwell (drums), Alex Acuna (congas, percussion), Bob Dylan (harmonica). Background vocals: Kelly Willard, Matthew Ward, Keith Green. Howard, Charity and Linda McCrary (track B4).
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