Never Picture Perfect

Never Picture Perfect is the fourth solo album by songwriter Rich Mullins and was released in 1989 on Reunion Records. The album features a new recording of “Hope To Carry On.”

Track listing

All songs written by Rich Mullins.

Side one

1. "I Will Sing" – 1:27
   • Appeared on compilation Songs 2 1999
2. "Hope To Carry On" – 2:33
   • Appeared on compilation Songs 2 1999
   • Earlier recording appeared on Behold the Man 1981
3. "While The Nations Rage" – 4:50
   • Appeared on compilation Songs 1996
4. "First Family" – 3:06
5. "Alrightokuhhuhamen" – 4:12
   • Appeared on compilation Songs 1996

Side two

1. "Higher Education and The Book of Love" – 5:47
2. "Bound to Come Some Trouble" – 3:41
   • Appeared on compilation Songs 2 1999
3. "The Love of God" – 2:48
   • Appeared on compilation Songs 2 1999
4. "My One Thing" – 3:42
   • Appeared on compilation Songs 1996
5. "Somewhere" – 4:32
   • Appeared on compilation Songs 2 1999
6. "The Love of God (reprise)" – 0:49

Unreleased song & demos

In February 1989, Rich Mullins—along with his friends Lee and Nicki Lundgren of the group Avenue G—recorded a collection of demos for his then upcoming album, Never Picture Perfect. “Heart Set Free" is an unreleased song that Rich had previously considered, but was ultimately rejected, for his Pictures in the Sky album. The demo tape includes five tracks:

1. "Heart Set Free" (Unreleased song)
2. "My One Thing" (Demo)
3. "While The Nations Rage" (Demo)
4. "Higher Education and The Book of Love" (Demo)
5. "Bound to Come Some Trouble" (Demo)

Charts

Radio singles

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1990	"My One Thing"	U.S. Christian	1
1990	"While the Nations Rage"	U.S. Christian	2
1990	"Alrightokuhuhamen"	U.S. Christian	4
1991	"Somewhere"	U.S. Christian	8

Personnel

• Rich Mullins – lead vocals, acoustic piano (4, 7, 8), hammered dulcimer (9)
• Reed Arvin – keyboards (2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10), Synclavier (3, 5, 6, 9, 10), string arrangements
• Jerry McPherson – guitars (2–6, 9, 10), mandolin (10)
• Mark O'Connor – mandolin (4), fiddle (4)
• Tom Hemby – guitar solo (9)
• Jimmie Lee Sloas – bass (2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10)
• Danny O'Lannerghty – bass (4)
• Paul Leim – drums (2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10)
• Bill Sinclair – harmonica (5, 9)
• Ed Calle – saxophone (6)
• Kristin Wilkinson – string contractor
• Ashley Cleveland – featured vocals (1)
• Pam Tillis – featured vocals (1)
• Richard Gibson – backing vocals (1)
• Donny Monk – backing vocals (1)
• Guy Penrod – backing vocals (1)
• Jon Sherberg – backing vocals (1)
• Gary Smith – backing vocals (1)
• Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals (2, 6)
• Bonnie Keen – backing vocals (5, 9)
• Marabeth Jordan – backing vocals (5, 9)
• Marty McCall – backing vocals (5, 9)
• Margaret Becker – backing vocals (6)

Production

• Michael Blanton – executive producer
• Terry Hemmings – executive producer
• Reed Arvin – producer
• Bill Deaton – engineer, mixing
• Brent King – additional engineer
• Hank Williams – mastering at MasterMix (Nashville, Tennessee)
• D.L. Rhodes – cover coordinator
• Jackson Design – art direction, design
• Mark Tucker – photography