Erica Atkins-Campbell and Trecina Atkins-Campbell were born in Inglewood,
California. The Campbell (formerly Atkins) sisters grew up as part of a large family of nine children in Inglewood, California. Their parents are Thomasina (An evangelist and choir director at the Evangelistic Church of God in Christ) and Eddie (a youth minister). Because of their proximity in age, the two singers grew up closer to one another than to any of their seven siblings. The sisters quickly entered the world of church choirs, traveling gospel shows, and some television productions. All nine Atkins children were on the Bobby Jones Gospel show on BET.
The sisters had their sights set on making music a career and enrolled at El Camino College to study voice. There they ran up against the divide between academic music studies and the popular musical world. "We had to study classical and sing arias, which was fine," Erica told the Times, "but the teachers would tell us if we sang anything else it would damage our instrument." The sisters tours with the 1995 Michael Matthews traveling gospel show Mama I'm Sorry and Sneaky. Each sister subsequently toured as a backup singer for a variety of R&B acts including Brandy.
A meeting with producer Warryn Campbell led to their song publishing deal with the giant EMI music conglomerate and a series of songs that landed on the soundtracks. They wrote "Dance" and performed it with Robin S. for the soundtrack to the 1998 film Dr. Dolittle; "Let Go, Let God" for The Prince of Egypt Inspirational, one of three soundtrack albums for the film; and songs of theirs were recorded by Yolanda Adams and 702. At the same time, Mary Mary as a musical entity took shape.
The sisters' profile in the gospel industry was raised when their songs "Time To Change" and "Yeah" were recorded by Yolanda Adams on the Mountain High... Valley Low CD. The duo was subsequently signed to Columbia Records/C2 Records and decided to perform under the name Mary Mary, honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. They were first gospel act to record for the industry giant Columbia Records since Tramaine Hawkins in the mid-1990s. Their first single, "Shackles (Praise You)" became a crossover hit, being popular with gospel, R&B, and pop audiences. It was a Top 10 R&B and Top 40 pop hit, and peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became the first gospel song in five years to crack the R&B top ten and gained wide exposure on the MTV video cable channel. The album was a huge success because it offered a younger, hipper version of gospel that audiences could relate to.
Their first album, Thankful (Mary Mary Album) in May 2000, which would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, and a second single, "I Sings". Peaking at #1 on the Gospel album chart and at #59 of the overall Top 200 chart, Thankful was certified Platinum for sales of 1 million copies in the USA. Both singles were also hits in the UK and Europe, and to this day remain popular with Christian youths in the US, Latin America, and Europe.
With their second album Incredible, the duo was able to maintain their success. The record, soon after its release, went to #1 on the Gospel chart, and was able to enter the Top 20 of the Top 200 album chart. Incredible was later certified Gold for 500,000 copies sold in the United States. The album's singles In The Morning and I Try became relatively large hits within the contemporary gospel nation.
After taking time off to have children, their third album Mary Mary appeared. It became the duo's first album to enter the Top 10 on Billboard and was later on certified Gold for sales of 500,000 copies. The first single "Heaven" containing a sample from seventies soul trio the Honey Cone's "Want Ads". Heaven made history and broke chart records as it had an unprecedented 9 week run as the #1 record on Billboard's Gospel Radio chart. The second single, "Yesterday", also became a hit, especially on the Adult R&B charts where it peaked at #10. On the R&B/Hip Hop chart, the song became their second biggest hit since "Shackles" in 2000, reaching the #53 spot so far.
On October 10, 2006`, the recording group released their most recent album inspired by Christmas songs and is called A Mary Mary Christmas.
Something Big
Mary Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got something to say
I met this man named Jesus
And I ain't never been the same
You know my heart's been changed
My mind's been changed
I'm nothing like I was
'Cause I was stuck on stupid
But now I'm filled with love
You know something big done happened to me
(Something big done happened to me)
And I gotta tell the world about it
(I gotta tell the world about it)
'Cause if I keep it to myself
(If I keep it to myself)
How you gon' find out about it
(How you gon' find out about it)
Jesus took the worst of me
(Jesus took the worst of me)
And helped me get myself together
(And helped me get myself together)
Greatest man in history
(Greatest man in history)
And can't nobody do it better
(Can't nobody do it better)
Oh no
If your soul is sinking
And feeling like your lost
Don't know who to turn to
Then let's go to the cross
But Jesus bled, and Jesus died
And Jesus took the fall
But all your wrong
And all my wrong
Jesus pitied all
You know something big done happened to me
(Something big done happened to me)
And I gotta tell the world about it
(I gotta tell the world about it)
'Cause if I keep it to myself
(If I keep it to myself)
How you gon' find out about it
(How you gon' find out about it)
You know Jesus took the worst of me
(Jesus took the worst of me)
And helped me get myself together
(helped me get myself together)
Greatest man in history
(Greatest man in history)
Can't nobody do it better
(Can't nobody do it better)
Tell me what you know about Jesus
He's alright
Anybody know about Jesus
He's alright
Tell me what you know about Jesus
He's alright
Hey, what ya'll know about Jesus
He's alright
Hey hey
You know something big done happened to me
(Something big done happened to me)
And I gotta tell the world about it
(I gotta tell the world about it)
'Cause if I keep it to myself
(If I keep it to myself)
How you gon' find out about it
(How you gon' find out about it)
Jesus took the worst of me
(Jesus took the worst of me)
Helped me get myself together
(helped me get myself together)
The greatest man in history
(Greatest man in history)
And can't nobody do it better
(Can't nobody do it better)
Now help me say hey
Everybody lift your voice and say
Hey hey hey
Put your hands together say
Hey hey hey
God's been good somebody say
Hey, hey, hey
Come on put them hands together
Put them hands together
Put them hands together
Put them hands together
Come on, come one, come on, come on
Mary Mary's song "Something Big" is a gospel song that speaks of the transformational power of Jesus. The singer starts by saying that he met this man named Jesus and that he has not been the same since then since his heart and mind have been changed. He then goes on to say that something big has happened to him, and he has to tell the world about it to ensure that everyone knows about it. The singer talks about how Jesus took the worst of him and helped him get himself together, and now he is filled with love.
The song's main theme is redemption and change, and it portrays Jesus as the greatest man in history who can take away all our burdens and make us new. The lyrics speak to the transformative and healing power of Jesus, and they urge listeners to put their faith in him. Mary Mary's song "Something Big" is a testimony to the transforming power of Jesus, and it is meant to inspire listeners to put their trust in him and experience his love and grace.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey hey hey hey everybody
The singer is addressing everyone.
I got something to say
The singer wants to express something important.
I met this man named Jesus
The singer encountered Jesus.
And I ain't never been the same
The artist's meeting with Jesus had a profound impact on their life.
You know my heart's been changed
The artist's innermost feelings took a different direction after meeting Jesus.
My mind's been changed
The singer has undergone a change in perspective.
I'm nothing like I was
The singer's personality has transformed.
'Cause I was stuck on stupid
The artist previously made unwise decisions.
But now I'm filled with love
The artist is now strongly motivated by love.
You know something big done happened to me
The artist underwent a significant change after meeting Jesus.
(Something big done happened to me)
Reiterating the importance of the change.
And I gotta tell the world about it
The artist feels the need to spread the word about their experience with Jesus.
(I gotta tell the world about it)
Reiterating the importance of spreading the word.
How you gon' find out about it
The singer thinks others should know about Jesus.
(How you gon' find out about it)
Reiterating the importance of others knowing about Jesus.
Jesus took the worst of me
Jesus helped the artist during a difficult time.
(Jesus took the worst of me)
Reiterating what Jesus did for the artist.
And helped me get myself together
Jesus aided the singer in getting back on track.
(Helped me get myself together)
Reiterating how Jesus helped the singer.
Greatest man in history
The artist thinks highly of Jesus.
(Greatest man in history)
Reiterating the artist's admiration for Jesus.
Can't nobody do it better
Jesus is the best at what he does.
(Can't nobody do it better)
Reiterating the singer's belief that nobody is better than Jesus.
If your soul is sinking
The artist is addressing someone who feels down.
And feeling like your lost
The singer is describing a feeling of confusion and aimlessness.
Don't know who to turn to
The singer is suggesting that Jesus could help in this instance.
Then let's go to the cross
The singer implies that by visiting the cross, one could find guidance and support.
But Jesus bled, and Jesus died
The artist is referring to the crucifixion.
And Jesus took the fall
Jesus accepted responsibility for humanity's sins.
But all your wrong
Everyone has made mistakes or done wrong.
And all my wrong
The singer has also made mistakes.
Jesus pitied all
Jesus forgave everyone for their mistakes.
Tell me what you know about Jesus
The artist encourages others to speak about their own experiences with Jesus.
He's alright
The artist thinks Jesus is great.
Anybody know about Jesus
The singer is seeking validation for their claim about Jesus.
Hey, what ya'll know about Jesus
The artist continues to seek validation for their claim about Jesus.
(Something big done happened to me)
Reiterating the importance of the change the singer underwent.
And can't nobody do it better
Jesus is the best at what he does.
(Can't nobody do it better)
Reiterating the singer's belief that nobody is better than Jesus.
Now help me say hey
The artist is requesting participation from their audience.
Everybody lift your voice and say
The artist is requesting participation from their audience.
Put your hands together say
The singer invites their audience to clap along.
God's been good somebody say
The singer suggests that God has been good to them, and invites others to agree.
Come on, come one, come on, come on
The artist is encouraging their audience to participate.
Come on, come one, come on, come on
The artist continues to encourage their audience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERICA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, TRECINA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, WARRYN CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind