The Champion is the fourth studio album by Christian singer - songwriter Carman, released in late 1985 on Myrrh/Word Records. The album was produced by Keith Thomas. Carman wrote all the songs on the album.
The Champion is considered a landmark (and breakthrough) album, courtesy of the title song. The track is an 8 and a half minute "story song" about a celestial boxing match between Jesus Christ and Satan with God the Father as the referee. The centerpiece of the album, it climbed to the top of the Christian CHR chart for four weeks. The song has been a staple on Christian radio during the Easter season.
Another breakthrough track, "Revive Us, O Lord," climbed to number two on the Christian AC chart. The track is co-written with fellow CCM singer - songwriter Steve Camp (Camp later recorded his own version on his 1987 album, After God's Own Heart). "Fear Not, My Child" is a duet with up and coming Christian singer Kim Boyce. Carman made his first music video with the track "A Little Bit More Conviction." The track "Love Can" is not found on the LP version of The Champion. CCM Magazine has given accolades to the album, ranking it at number 99 in their 2001 book The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music and the title song at number 91 in their 2006 book The 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music.
The album peaked in the Top 5 at number 3 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart in early 1986. It was his second Gold certified album selling over 500,000 copies in 1991 by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Track listing on the CD Version
All songs were written by Carman Licciardello, except where noted.
1. Prepare to Die -5:19
2. Abundance of Rain -3:35
3. Revive Us, Oh Lord (Carman Licciardello, Steve Camp) -3:47
4. A Little Bit More Conviction -4:34
5. It Happened to Me -3:23
6. The Destination is There (Carman Licciardello, Keith Thomas) -3:57
7. Fear Not, My Child (duet with Kim Boyce) -4:55
8. Love Can -5:40
9. The Champion -8:39
Gold certified in 1991.
Radio singles
1986 "The Champion" -#1 Christian CHR for 4 weeks, #28 Christian AC
1986 "Revive Us, O Lord" -#10 Christian CHR, #2 Christian AC
1986 "Abundance of Rain" -#14 Christian CHR
1986 "Fear Not, My Child" (with Kim Boyce) -#24 Christian AC
Previous release: Comin' On Strong (1984)
Next release: A Long Time Ago...in a Land Called Bethlehem (1986)
Watch the music video of "A Little Bit More Conviction" here:
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