Should Have Been Huge: The Innocence Mission

I’ll be honest: I really don’t know very much about The Innocence Mission.

They are from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

They are led by Karen and Don Peris. Karen sings and writes most of the songs.

They are deeply spiritual.

I have loved them ever since I first heard “Wonder Of Birds” on a free promo cassette given to me at Austin’s Waterloo Records in the fall of 1989. I have put “Wonder Of Birds” on countless compilations over the years, and without fail the recipient asks me, “Who does that amazing birds song?”

“Black Sheep Wall” reached #22 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart in 1990, and “Bright As Yellow” (from their third album Glow) reached #33 on the same chart in 1995. “Bright As Yellow” was also prominently featured in the film Empire Records. These two songs are the closest things The Innocence Mission have ever had to a hit.

I own six copies of The Innocence Mission, because I buy it every time I find a used copy. Someday I will give my extras out as presents to people I really, really like– because I really, really like The Innocence Mission.

The Innocence Mission: The Innocence Mission

A&M Records, 1989

1. “Paper Dolls” (Peris/Peris)

2. “Black Sheep Wall” (Peris)

3. “Surreal” (Peris)

4. “Curious” (Peris)

5. “Clear To You” (Peris)

6. “Mercy” (Peris/Peris)

7. “Broken Circle” (Peris)

8. “I Remember Me” (Peris/Peris)

9. “You Chase The Light” (Peris)

10. “Notebook” (Peris/Peris)

11. “Come Around And See Me” (Peris/Peris)

12. “Wonder Of Birds” (Peris)

13. “Medjugorje” (Peris/Peris)

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Bonus Tracks!

The first rule of The Analog Kid blog is that if you write about a song on the Analog Kid blog, you share the song on the Analog Kid blog.

The Innocence Mission: “Bright As Yellow” (Peris)

From the album Glow

A&M Records, 1995

The Innocence Mission: “Sorry And Glad Together” (Peris)

From the album Umbrella

A&M Records, 1991

The Innocence Mission: “Follow Me” (Denver)

From the album Birds Of My Neighborhood

RCA Records, 1999

The Innocence Mission: “Notebook” [Acoustic] (Peris/Peris)

The Innocence Mission: “Broken Circle” [Acoustic] (Peris)

Both taken from the 12″ single Black Sheep Wall

A&M Records, 1989