The power of gospel music can serve the listener in several capacities: to … Read Full Bio ↴The power of gospel music can serve the listener in several capacities: to lift God in praise and worship, to teach strong morals and to encourage others to love all people unconditionally. When Anthony Brown began his ministry over a decade ago, he absolutely had all the aforementioned in mind. He was also compelled to rename his long-time vocal ensemble “group therapy” so he could incorporate a therapeutic retreat for his singers and a therapeutic frame of mind for his audience. While his ministry voice was birthed at Morgan State University when the ensemble was called Answered Prayer, Brown’s strong background of musical savvy afforded him plenty of opportunities to share his many gifts. His production, songwriting and vocal arrangement credits have played a major role in the gospel industry with the likes of Maurette Brown Clark and VaShawn Mitchell.

Now, after several years of paying dues behind the scenes, Brown finally felt his season arrived in presenting his special fusion of contemporary gospel and therapeutic vibe with GT. His original intention was to release their self-titled debut independently. However, the unwavering support of Mitchell and the strength of the debut single, “Testimony,” changed those plans in a heartbeat.

Under Mitchell’s co-executive production oversight, this worthy debut from Brown & GT on Tyscot Records is decorated with various musical backdrops and therapeutic messages. “Group Therapy,” expresses a desire to maintain a pure heart for God and has the feel of a Broadway and acoustic jazz tapestry. Dedicated to “everyone who has made it,” “Testimony,” glides on an old school mid-tempo groove a la Earth, Wind & Fire with a few hip-hop nuances. Despite the occasional auto-tune flub, the song delivers a spiritual pick-me-up. “Better Days” hints of a ‘80s electro funk while balancing a modern urban gospel pop flavor under its motivational lyric: “You don’t have to be afraid/Trouble don’t last always.” Mitchell joins Brown & GT for “I Will” with invigorating call and response, dancing brass and a generous mix of R&B and rock. On the calmer worship side, the elegantly orchestrated “The Overflow (Fill Me Again)” respectfully echoes Richard Smallwood’s classical/gospel hybrid and “Deep Enough” emphasizes forgiveness to start the healing process.

Though there is a slight hiccup with the Kirk Franklin-esque “Do It Again,” Brown & group therAPy’s debut still invokes a fresh and joyous spirit. This is one group therapy session that gospel music fans will be thankful for. Other Notable Tracks: “Harvest Song (featuring Maurette Brown Clark)” and “Beyond Beyond.”

Vocals: 4.0 stars
Music: 3.5 stars
Lyrics: 3.0 stars
Production: 3.5 stars
SoulTracks Call: Highly Recommended

By Peggy Oliver

What He's Done
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(We need some worshippers to lift up the sound of worship in this room.
Tell the Lord something.)

I just wanna thank him for his grace;
Thank him for his mercy.
I just wanna thank him for his love;
And thank him for being patient with me.

I just wanna thank him for his grace;
Thank him for his mercy.
I just wanna thank him for his love;
Thank him for being patient with me.

I just wanna thank him for his grace;
Thank him for his mercy.
I just wanna thank him for his love;
Thank him for being patient with me.

'Cos I ain't been that good;
I don't deserve, to be here, today.
And if you tell the truth;
You know, it should have been, another way.

But aren't you glad God never,
Gave you, what you deserve?
I'm so glad God never,
Gave me, what I deserved.

I just wanna thank him for his grace;
Thank him for his mercy.
I just wanna thank him for his love;
And thank him for being patient with me.

I just wanna thank him for his grace;
Thank him for his mercy.
I just wanna thank him for his love;
Thank him for being patient with me.

'Cos I ain't been that good;
I don't deserve, to be here, today.
And if you tell the truth;
You know, that it should have been, another way.

But aren't you glad God never,
Gave you, what you deserve?
I'm so glad God never,
Gave me, what I deserved.

But aren't you glad God never,
Gave you, what you deserve?
I'm so glad God never,
Gave me, what I deserved.

I just wanna thank him for his grace;
Thank him for his mercy.
I just wanna thank him for his love;
Thank him for being patient with me.

'Cos I ain't been that good;
I don't deserve, to be here, today.
And if you tell the truth;
You know, that it should have been, another way.

But aren't you glad God never,
Gave you, what you deserve?
I'm so glad God never,
Gave me, what I deserved.

But aren't you glad God never,
Gave you, what you deserve?
I'm so glad God never,
Gave me, what I deserved.

'Cos I ain't been that good;
I don't deserve, to be here, today.
And if you tell the truth;
You know, that it should have been, another way.

But aren't you glad God never,
Gave you, what you deserve?
I'm so glad God never,
Gave me, what I deserved.

But aren't you glad God never,
Gave you, what you deserve?

Stand and be glad God never,
Gave you, what you deserved.

Overall Meaning

The song "What He's Done" by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy expresses gratitude towards God for the grace, mercy, love, and patience that He has shown to the singer despite not deserving it. The lyrics highlight the imperfections and mistakes of the singer and emphasize how it is only by God's grace and mercy that they are able to be where they are today. In the midst of acknowledging their shortcomings, the singer recognizes that they are not alone, and that others can relate. The song concludes by encouraging listeners to acknowledge the goodness of God in their lives and to be glad that He never gave them what they truly deserve.

The song encourages listeners to have an attitude of gratitude towards God and to acknowledge His goodness and mercy in their lives. It reinforces the idea that nobody is perfect, and it is only by God's grace that anyone is able to achieve anything. The lyrics also express humility and vulnerability by admitting to one's mistakes and acknowledging the need for God's love and forgiveness.

Line by Line Meaning

We need some worshippers to lift up the sound of worship in this room.
Please let us have some people who are devoted to praising God to make the atmosphere of worship better in this place.

I just wanna thank him for his grace;
I want to express my gratitude towards God for his graciousness.

Thank him for his mercy.
I want to show appreciation towards God for his compassion towards me.

I just wanna thank him for his love;
I want to acknowledge the love that God has for me.

And thank him for being patient with me.
God has been patient with me despite my flaws, and I want to recognize that and thank him for it.

'Cos I ain't been that good;
I have not always behaved well and my actions have not always been morally upright.

I don't deserve, to be here, today.
I do not deserve to be alive or have the various blessings I have been given.

And if you tell the truth;
To be honest,

You know, it should have been, another way.
if I am truthful, then I should not still be alive or as blessed as I am, things should have turned out differently.

But aren't you glad God never,
Are you not happy that God did not,

Gave you, what you deserve?
punish you as you deserved,

I'm so glad God never,
I am relieved and grateful that God did not,

Gave me, what I deserved.
punish me as I deserved.

Stand and be glad God never,
Let us rise up and be happy that God did not,

Gave you, what you deserved.
punish us as we deserved.

Contributed by Christopher T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS