The choice of an album's lead single is incredibly important, because it sets the tone for the entire record, and reintroduces the artist to old and new fans. It's the first thing your listeners hear as you're gearing up to release new music, the first words of the new message you're sending out into the world, the first impression you have to make at each stage in your artistry. 

For Matthew West, the debut single from each album tells a story that mirrors his heart and mission with each project. In honor of West's newest release All In, we're taking a look back at the lead singles from each of his seven studio albums and how they stack up against each other.

"More" from Happy (2003)
To date, "More" is still the most successful radio single of Matthew's career, an impressive stat considering it was his first. Released in late 2003, the song spent a record-breaking nine consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Christian radio and clocked in as the most-played Christian Adult Contemporary song of 2004.
 
"Next Thing You Know" from History (2005)
With big shoes to fill, "Next Thing You Know" from Matthew's following release didn't quite hit the top of the charts, but still stayed the highest-charting single from his second studio album by landing at No. 3.
 
"You Are Everything" from Something To Say (2008)
Finding major success again, Something To Say's lead single "You Are Everything" shot to No. 1 and found its place as the most-played song of 2008 on AC Christian radio.
 
"My Own Little World" from The Story of Your Life (2010)
Matthew's fourth studio release, The Story of Your Life, sold 10,000 copies its first week--largely due to the impact of lead single "My Own Little World." Though the song didn't quite reach the top of the charts, it was still a heavy-hitter in Matthew's discography. 
 
"Forgiveness" from Into the Light (2012)
Back at No. 1 a few years later, "Forgiveness" from 2012's Into The Light was inspired by the true story of a mother named Renee who lost her daughter as a result of a drunk driver. Renee reached out to the drunk driver, Eric, while he was in prison to tell him she forgave him for what he had done. Even more incredible, Renee went to the courts and asked them to cut Eric's sentence in half. Click here to read more of the powerful story.
 
"Day One" from Live Forever (2015)
From 2015's Live Forever came the encouraging lead single "Day One," which inspires listeners to live as though every day is the first day of the rest of their lives. The peppy tune was well-received by fans, soon taking the album to No. 1 on the Billboard Christian albums charts.
 
"Broken Things" from All In (2017)
"Broken Things," the lead single from Matthew's brand new album All In, is currently making waves at radio with its powerful reminder that God can use anyone, regardless of who they are or what they've done. "There are a lot of times that I feel broken and unqualified for God to use me, but day after day He invites me into the gates and says 'I'm going to use you in a powerful way' because our God is in the business of using broken people and broken things," Matthew says about his heart for the song.