First Light (1982)

First Light is the debut album by Christian singer/songwriter/author Michael Card. It was released in early 1982 by Benson Records' Milk & Honey label. First Light's debut single was his recording of his composition "I Have Decided" becoming his first Top 10 Christian radio single. The song was later recorded by Amy Grant for her Age to Age album, which was released the same year but a few months later. Other singles like "Jesus Love Me (This I Know)" and "Fan the Flame" were also Christian radio hits. Card's sound is folk-style pop with orchestrated arrangements. The album was produced by Randy Scruggs and John Thompson and was recorded in 1981. Card wrote all the songs on First Light with co-writes from Thompson and Scruggs. The album was reissued in 1988 on CD as a double album with his second Benson release Legacy and then reissued solo on CD in 1996 but both have been been out of print. "I Have Decided," "Don't You Know," "Jesus Loves Me" and "Light of the World" were then made available on CD and digitally on the Benson Records compilation album Signature Songs. A YouTube link to listen to the album is posted below this article.

Track listing

All songs written by Michael Card, except where noted.

1. I Have Decided -3:42

2. Fan the Flame (Michael Card, John Thompson) -3:02

3. Don't You Know -3:48

4. No Rusty Swords -3:07

5. Light of the World -2:48

6. Jesus Loves Me (This I Know) (Michael Card, Randy Scruggs) -3:43

7. Hound of Heaven -3:12

8. Face the Light -2:41

9. By Your Name -2:34

10. Stranger On the Shore -4:18

Radio singles

1982 "I Have Decided" -#8 Christian CHR, -#3 Christian AC

1982 "Fan the Flame" -#16 Christian CHR

1982 "Jesus Loves Me" -#8 Christian AC/CHR

Next release: Legacy (1983)

Listen to the album First Light here: