Go West Young Man is the sixth studio album by Christian singer - songwriter Michael W. Smith, released on October 1, 1990 by Reunion Records.
This record was his first attempt at mainstream success, as it scored a Top 10 hit with the second single "Place in This World" climbing to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1991. Smith co-wrote the song with Wayne Kirkpatrick and Amy Grant, whose own mainstream success came earlier in 1991 with her number one Billboard Hot 100 hit "Baby Baby." The fourth single "For You" was also released as a mainstream single.
"Place in This World" is listed at number 22 from CCM Magazine's 2006 book 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music and in 1992, won a Dove Award for Song of the Year given to Smith, Grant and Kirkpatrick. Go West Young Man topped the Billboard Top Christian Albums and made his first appearance on the Top 200 Albums chart climbing to number 74. The album won a Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 22nd GMA Dove Awards and was the first recipient of the American Music Award for Favorite Adult Contemporary New Artist and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the 33rd Grammy Awards. The album was Gold certified in 1991 and Platinum certified in 2004.
The praise and worship track "Agnus Dei" was first recorded by Smith on this album and later covered by the Christian rock band Third Day in 1998 on the Smith-produced various artists worship album Exodus. Third Day's version was listed at number 16 in CCM Magazine's 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music.
Track listing
All songs written by Michael W. Smith and Wayne Kirkpatrick, except where noted.
1. Go West Young Man -4:01
2. Love Crusade -4:23
3. Place in This World (Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Wayne Kirkpatrick) -4:01
4. For You (Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Will Owsley) -4:10
5. How Long Will Be Too Long (Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Wayne Kirkpatrick) -4:37
6. Seed to Sow -6:14
7. Cross My Heart -4:37
8. Emily -4:17
9. Agnus Dei (MIchael W. Smith) -5:09
10. 1990 (instrumental) (Michael W. Smith) -1:42
Gold certified in 1991.
Platinum certified in 2004.
Accolades
American Music Award -Favorite Adult Contemporary New Artist
Dove Award -Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (Go West Young Man)
Song of the Year ("Place in This World" by MIchael W. Smith, Amy Grant and Wayne Kirkpatrick)
Radio singles
1990 "Go West Young Man" -#1 Christian CHR, #2 Christian AC
1991 "Place in This World" -#6 Billboard Hot 100, #5 Billboard AC, #1 Christian CHR, #1 Christian AC
1991 "How Long Will Be Too Long" -#2 Christian CHR, #3 Christian AC
1992 "Seed to Sow" -#2 Christian CHR, #4 Christian AC
1992 "Love Crusade" -#4 Christian CHR
1992 "Cross My Heart" -#3 Christian AC
Next release: Change Your World (1992)
Watch the music video of "Place in This World" here: