Welcome to Paradise is the third studio album by Christian singer - songwriter Randy Stonehill. It was released in 1976 on Larry Norman's Solid Rock label. Norman produced and arranged the album.
Stonehill returned with a proper follow-up to his 1971 debut album Born Twice. His songwriting had always been very strong but now his guitar work was catching up. For many this album was their first exposure to Stonehill and it had strong sales numbers. His opening signature track "King of Hearts" showcases Stonehill's melodic pop style and offers a parable of a lost soul searching for life.
"Keep Me Runnin'" is a rock number that describes the emptiness and alienation of lives apart from Christ without tidying everything up with a too-obvious moral or conversion testimony. "Song for Sarah" is a tender ballad and "Lung Cancer" is a humorous look at the posture of teenagers who think they're being countercultural when they yield to the pressures of the tobacco industry. Stonehill also re-recorded the track "Puppet Strings," that he originally recorded for his 1973 release Get Me Out of Hollywood.
Welcome to Paradise was named the 13th greatest album in Christian music by CCM Magazine in their 2001 book The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. In 2002, the album was reissued on CD by Larry Norman with five bonus tracks included. A YouTube link to listen to the album is posted below this article.
Track listing
All songs were written by Randy Stonehill.
Tracks 1 -5 (Paradise lost - sorrow and sadness...)
1. King of Hearts -4:53
2. Keep Me Runnin' -5:59
3. The Winner (High Card) -3:44
4. Lung Cancer -3:35
5. Puppet Strings -4:25
Tracks 6 -10 (Paradise regained - ...turned into gladness)
6. First Prayer -3:11
7. I've Got News for You -3:51
8. Song for Sarah -3:29
9. Christmas Song for All Year Long -3:48
10. Good News -3:39
Previous release: Get Me Out of Hollywood (1973)
Next release: The Sky is Falling (1980)
Listen to the album Welcome to Paradise here:
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