Michael W. Smith’s 10 Best Songs

I”ve been a fan of Michael W. Smith for a long time. I discovered his music one night at a lock-in at our church. Laying down in a pew very early in the morning, I pulled out my walkman. My cousin gave me a couple tapes she thought I would enjoy. The first one was Smith’s “The First Decade.” From the first song I was hooked. Since then I have acquired every Michael W. Smith CD and have been one of his biggest fans. 

I have reviewed all of his songs, (250+) and have compiled his ten best. How did I do? Did I miss your favorite MWS song? If so, please let me know why you believe your favorite should make the top ten!
 

1. I’ll Lead You Home

• Year and CD: 1995 & I’ll Lead You Home
• Review: Picking the number one song was hard. When I had all of his top songs in front of me, this one just stands out. Its simple and powerful message of God’s love is lasting. The slow build up musically is something I really like as well.
  
• Lyrics: “Vultures of darkness ate the crumbs you left; You got no way to retrace your steps; Just leave it to me; I’ll lead you home.”
• Music Video: Youtube

 

2. Kentucky Rose

1. Year and CD:  1993 & The First Decade
   
2. Review: When I said it was hard to pick a number one song, Kentucky Rose was the reason. And as I sit and listen to the song I realize I may have made a mistake. The song tells the story of a southern preacher who sacrifices his life to save a little boy. Besides telling an amazing story in the five minute song, it tells of a man who loves God and would do anything to save His children. This may not be as good as I’ll Lead You home, but it’s my personal favorite song.
3. Lyrics: “Evenings stroll crossed shadows bridge; Cause when he saw the boy tramping on that rocky ridge; He knew the danger that he would face; It’s as if he saved the child only to take his place”
4. Music Video: No video, listen to song on IMEEM

 

3. I’ll be around

 

• Year and CD: 1995 & I’ll Lead You Home
• Review: Also from the I’ll Lead You Home CD, this song let’s you know God is always there. Don’t give up on him, because he’ll be around.
• Lyrics: “But everybody needs someone; Who loves ‘em through the toughest times – while they’re growing.”
• Music Video: No video, listen to the song on IMEEM

 

4. How to say Goodbye

 

• Year and CD: 2006 & Stand
• Review: A simple, yet powerful song. The utter helplessness of your daughter getting married and moving out I’m sure is overwhelming. The song just pleads and begs for understanding. How do we say goodbye? How does a daddy look at his grown daughter and say goodbye to her? The song makes me tear up almost every time I listen to it. The video is very good too!
• Lyrics: “Tell me when the time we had slipped away; Tomorrow turned to yesterday; And I don’t know how”
• Music Video: Youtube

 

 

5. There she stands

 

• Year and CD: 2002 & There She Stands
• Review: Written after September 11th attacks. The song was inspired by President George W. Bush asking MWS to write a song about the tragedy. The song is about the American flag and one of the most patriotic songs ever written.
  
• Lyrics: “When evil calls itself a martyr: When all your hopes come crashing down; Someone will pull her from the rubble; There she stands ”
• Music Video: Live at the Republican National Convention

 

6. Trilogy: Angels Unaware; Breathe in Me; Other Side of Me

 

• Year and CD:  1995 & I’ll Lead You home
• Review: The Other Side of  Me was my song I dedicated to my wife at our wedding. While technically these are three songs, but really they are just party 1, 2 & 3 of one big song.
  
• Lyrics: “If love was mathematical; You’d understand the sum; To the heart’s equation; Where one and one makes one.”
  
• Music Video: Listen to the song at youtube

 

7.  Grace

 

• Year and CD: 2006 & Stand
• Review: With Gods grace, we can do all things. 
• Lyrics: “It’s grace, grace; I’m nothing without you; Grace, your grace; Shines on me”
• Music Video: Youtube

 

8.  This is Your Time

 

• Year and CD: 1999 & “This is your time”
• Review: The song tells the story of Cassie Bernell. She was killed in 1999 school shootings at Columbine High School. Reports say, one of the gun men asked Cassie if she believed in God. When she said yes, she was shot and killed. Would you have the power, the strength to say “yes?”
• Lyrics: “This was her time; This was her dance; She lived every moment; Left nothing to chance; She swam in the sea; Drank of the deep; Embraced the mystery.”
• Music Video: Youtube

 

9.  Above All

 

• Year and CD: 2001 & Worship
• Review: Probably my favorite praise and worship song. Look at the chorus and MWS shows that while Christ was on the cross, we were on his mind.  
• Lyrics:Crucified
  Laid behind a stone
  You lived to die
  Rejected and alone
  Like a rose 
  Trampled on the ground
  You took the fall 
  And thought of me
  Above all
• Music Video: YouTube

 

 

10. Agnus Dei 

 

• Year and CD: 1990 & Go West Young Man
• Review: Perhaps it the Catholic in me, but I love this song.  Angus Dei is Latin for “Worthy is the Lamb.” This was one of the first songs I learned in sign language. The song seems a perfect fit for Mass, I wonder if any perish has ever used it? It sounds very liturgical when you listen to it.
• Lyrics: “Worth is the Lamb; Worthy is the Lamb; You are Holy”
• Music Video:  youtube