The Big Picture (Michael W. Smith album)

The Big Picture is the third album by contemporary Christian music artist Michael W. Smith, released in 1986. 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
Studio album by Michael W. Smith
Released	February 1, 1986
Recorded	1985
Genre	Contemporary Christian music
Length	50:39
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
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[2]

Track listing

• All songs written by Michael W. Smith and Wayne Kirkpatrick, except where noted.

CD release[3]

No.	Title	Writer(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)	Smith	0:41

Personnel

• Lead vocals – Michael W. Smith
• Keyboards – Michael W. Smith and Shane Keister
• Drums – Steve Ferrone and David Huff
• Percussion – Bashiri Johnson
• Drum programming – Michael W. Smith, John Potoker, Shane Keister, David Huff, Gary Lunn, Frank Doyle and Mark Kovac
• Electric and synth basses – Tony Levin and Gary Lunn
• Stick bass (11) – Tony Levin
• Guitars – Dann Huff, Nick Moroch, Eddie Martinez and Chris Rodriguez
• Fairlight programming – Shane Keister
• Synclavier programming – Steve Schaffer
• Horns – Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker and James E. Pugh
• Background vocals – Michael W. Smith, Chris Rodriguez, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Chris Harris
• Background vocals (6) – Chris Harris, Philippe Saisse, Marty McCall, Lisa Bevill, Tammy Taylor, Leah Taylor and Bridgett Evans

Production

• Producers – Michael W. Smith and John Potoker
• Executive producers – Michael Blanton, Dan Harrell and Brown Bannister
• Production coordinator – Kimberly Smith
• Engineering and mixing – John Potoker
• Assistant engineers – Jim Goldberger, Tim Hattfield, Nick Delre, Tony Volante, Bob Vogt, JB, Bill Heath, Mike Clute, Clark Schleicher, Ken Criblez, Keith Odell, Ed Goodreau, Rob Feaster, Jeffrey Dovener and Spencer Chrislu
• Recorded at The Power Station, Media Sound, Sigma Sound and Soundtrack (New York, NY); Bullet Recording and Emerald Sound (Nashville, TN); The Bennett House and The Castle (Franklin, TN); Blue Jay Recording (Carlisle, MA)
• Mixed at Blue Jay Recording (Carlisle, MA)
• Mastering – Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
• Art direction and design – Ken Hunter and Thomas Ryan
• Photography – Beverly Ann Moore
• Grooming – Jody Morlock and Julie Miller Overstreet
• Child on album cover – Christopher Copeland

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1986)	Peak position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[4]	2

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". Discogs. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
4. "Michael W. Smith Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2019.