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The First Decade (1983–1993) is a compilation album from Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith. This album also features two new songs "Do You Dream of Me?" and "Kentucky Rose". A follow-up compilation album, The Second Decade (1993–2003), was released ten years later, picking up where The First Decade left off.

The First Decade (1983–1993)
Compilation album by Michael W. Smith
Released	October 12, 1993
Recorded	1982–1993
Genre	Contemporary Christian music
Length	67:24
Label	Reunion
Michael W. Smith chronology
The Wonder Years 1983–1993 (1993) The First Decade (1983–1993) (1993) I'll Lead You Home (1995)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

Track listing

Personnel

Credits for new recordings

• Michael W. Smith – lead vocals, backing vocals (1), acoustic piano (2)
• Mark Hammond – keyboard programming (1), bass and drum programming (1)
• Mark Heimmerman – keyboards (2), backing vocals (2)
• Phil Madeira – Hammond B3 organ (2)
• Jerry Dale McFadden – accordion (2)
• Dann Huff – guitars (1, 2)
• Gary Chapman – pedabro (2), backing vocals (2)
• Jerry McPherson – mandolin (2)
• Tommy Sims – bass (2)
• Steve Brewster – drums (2)
• Terry McMillan – percussion (2), harmonica (2)
• Amy Grant – backing vocals (1)
• Chris Harris – backing vocals (2)

Production

• Michael Blanton – executive producer
• Michael W. Smith – executive producer, co-producer (2), producer (3-15)
• Mark Hammond – producer (1)
• Mark Heimmerman – producer (2-5), mixing (2)
• Bryan Lenox – co-producer (6, 7, 10)
• Wayne Kirkpatrick – producer (8, 9)
• John Potoker – producer (11, 12)
• Ronnie Brookshire – engineer (1), mixing (1)
• Todd Robbins – engineer (1)
• Joe Baldridge – engineer (2), mixing (2)
• JB – engineer (2)
• Dave Dillbeck – second engineer (1)
• Amy Hughes – second engineer (2)
• David Hall – mix assistant (2)
• Nick Sparks – technician assistant (1)
• Hank Williams – mastering (1, 2)
• Julee Brand – cover coordinator
• Elizabeth Simmons – cover coordinator
• Buddy Jackson – art direction
• D.L. Rhodes – art direction
• Beth Middleworth – design
• Mark Tucker – photography
• June Arnold – grooming

Studios

• Recorded at Deer Valley Studio and Fun Attic Studio (Franklin, Tennessee); Quad Studios (Nashville, Tennessee).
• Mixed at Emerald Sound Studios and Sixteenth Avenue Sound (Nashville, Tennessee).
• Mastered at MasterMix (Nashville, Tennessee).

Missing hits

By the time of the release of The First Decade, Michael W. Smith had amassed thirty-three hit songs on CCM magazine's Adult Contemporary, CHR, and Inspirational charts, many of which had to be left off of the compilation due to time constraints. These missing hit songs were:

• "Could He Be the Messiah" (No. 21 on CHR/AC/Inspo chart)
• "Hosanna" (No. 2 on CHR/AC/Inspo)
• "I Know" (No. 1 on CHR, No. 5 on AC/Inspo)
• "Voices" (No. 19 on CHR, No. 5 on AC)
• "Wired for Sound" (No. 4 on CHR)
• "Nothin' But the Blood" (No. 5 on CHR, No. 28 on AC)
• "Help You Find Your Way" (No. 13 on CHR)
• "Hand of Providence" (No. 4 on CHR, No. 2 on AC)
• "I Miss the Way" (No. 4 on AC, No. 11 on Inspo)
• "Live and Learn" (No. 7 on CHR and AC)
• "The Throne" (No. 1 on CHR and AC, No. 14 on Inspo)
• "On the Other Side" (No. 3 on CHR, No. 2 on AC)
• "Holy, Holy, Holy" (No. 5 on AC, No. 16 on Inspo)
• "I Hear Leesha" (No. 5 on CHR, No. 7 on AC, No. 13 on Inspo)
• "How Long Will Be Too Long" (No. 2 on CHR, No. 3 on AC)
• "For You" (No. 1 on CHR, No. 2 on AC)
• "Seed to Sow" (No. 2 on CHR, No. 4 on AC)
• "Cross My Heart" (No. 3 on AC)
• "Love Crusade" (No. 4 on CHR)
• "Somebody Love Me" (No. 4 on CHR, No. 12 on AC).

In addition to their CCM chart placements, "For You" and "Somebody Love Me" also crossed over to the secular radio, with the former peaking at No. 20 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts and No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the latter peaking at No. 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and No. 71 on the Hot 100.

Chart performance

Chart (1993)	Peak position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[2]	1

References

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