Hi Rich fans,
The results are in and "If I Stand" is the number one favorite. Almost everybody voted for it. It was definitely a lot harder than I thought (as many of you shared) to choose my list of 20. Also a few of you, like me, mentioned that if we did this just a month later, it would probably be different.
There were 25 responses to the survey. Not really a large number, but there are only about 60 on the mailing list. There were a total of 79 different songs receiving votes. That is an interesting statistic considering there are a total of 88 Rich Mullins songs, according to Brian William's alphabetical listing of Rich Mullins songs. I'd say that only reinforces the difficulty we all had coming up with only 20 each. I'd also venture a guess that if there were just a few more participating, that every one of Rich's songs would have received at least one vote. (Now I've got myself wondering which few songs didn't get any votes! Anyone what to figure it out?)
I'm anxious to see how many of the songs on Rich's upcoming greatist hits recording, will be on this list. Songs--the Best of Rich Mullins from Reunion Records is due in late June.
Because of a tie towards the end, there are 21 listed. If you're unsure which album these are on, check Brian William's chronological listing of Rich Mullins songs. Anyway here's the list.
Rank Votes Title 1 23 If I Stand 2 20 The Color Green 3 19 Hold Me Jesus 4 17 The Love of God 4 17 Sometimes by Step 4 17 Creed 7 16 Calling Out Your Name 7 16 Let Mercy Lead 9 15 Peace 10 11 Land Of My Sojourn 10 11 Screen Door 10 11 All The Way My Saviour Leads Me 13 10 My One Thing 13 10 Ready For The Storm 15 9 Be With You 15 9 Here in America 15 9 Growing Young 15 9 The Howling 15 9 Elijah 15 9 I See You 15 9 The Maker of Noses
Interesting tidbits on songs that didn't make the top 20--
"Step By Step" (6 votes)
Almost all that voted for this song, also said that it could've taken their entire top few spaces.
"We Are Not As Strong" (3 votes) and "Sing Your Praise To The Lord" (2 votes)
Both of these songs have not been recorded by Rich as a solo artist. I qualify that, because "Sing Your Praise" was recorded on the Behold The Man album by Zion, which of course Rich was a member. "We Are Not As Strong" has only been played live, but not recorded. Another interesting item is that they both reportedly will be included on the greatist hits album.
Verge of a Miracle (5 votes)
I get to give this song honorable mention only because I'm the moderator. :-) This was number two on my personal list ("If I Stand" was number one). It is now and always will be one of my all time favorite songs by any artist. I can only assume that it did not rate higher, because many of you do not have this album (Pictures In The Sky, 1987 Reunion Records).
"Other Side of the World" and "Jacob and 2 Women" (both 8 votes)
I give these honorable mention because they both tied for 22nd; just off the scale. I heard Rich once mention that "Jacob.." was one of his personal favorites, and therefore I'm guessing it will be on the greatist hits. "Other Side..." was high on my personal list, thereby meaning absolutely nothing. :-)
"Awesome God" (6 votes)
I think everyone must have felt the same as Steve Harris (see [RichMailList 62]). I thought I'd pass along this tidbit. "Awesome God" was the the number one song in a survey by KTLI Light 99 FM last July ('95). The survey lists the KTLI Top 99 of All Time. There are also other Rich songs on the list, and I've listed below all the Rich Mullins songs on that survey (which by the way had hundreds of respondents). I've also noted where the songs rated on our list.
Excerpts from the Light 99 FM Top 99 Songs Of All Time # Title Artist Mailing List Ranking 1 Awesome God Rich Mullins tie for 26 3 Creed Rich Mullins tie for 4 12 Sometimes By Step Rich Mullins tie for 4 19 Hold Me Jesus Rich Mullins 3 57 Calling Out Your Name Rich Mullins tie for 7 58 Let Mercy Lead Rich Mullins tie for 7 85 Peace Rich Mullins 9 93 Boy Like Me, Man Like You Rich Mullins tie for 26
Well that's it. Thanks to all who participated. Let's do it again.
God Bless