Staton sang with the Jewell Gospel Trio and as teenagers, they toured the traditional gospel circuit in the 1950s with The Soul Stirrers, C. L. Franklin, and Mahalia Jackson. They recorded several sides for Nashbro, Apollo[disambiguation needed ], and Savoy Records between 1953 and 1963, before launching a solo career in 1968.
She had 16 R&B hits for Fame Studios and received Grammy nominations for cover versions of country standards. In 1975 she started working with disco producer Dave Crawford and had hits "Young Hearts Run Free" and "Victim". Also, The Mighty Majors ("You Can Never Go Back") was her backup band once on the road.
In 1982 she returned to gospel forming Beracah Ministries with her husband John Sussewell. In 1991 she had a top 10 UK hit as The Source featuring Candi Staton with dance track "You Got The Love".
In 2004 when Sex and the City ended its successful six-year run, the last song played on that show was "You Got the Love" with Sarah Jessica Parker walking down New York City streets and talking about the endless relationship with herself.
Mama Testimony
CANDI STATON Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Praise the Lord,
Come on and Praise him. Hallelujah, give God some praise.
I was born in Alabama and my mother was a
Christian and my father was an alcoholic and a gambler.
We were raised on the bareness of necessities,
Sometimes we didn't have clothes to
Wear, we didn't have shoes on our feet
If daddy didn't drink it up again or pulled it away.
And my mama was a prayer warrior. She prayed for me.
5 years old I stood on a stage sung my first gospel solo.
13 years old I was with a group called The Jewel
Gospel Trio, we went all over the world singing gospel music.
In my early twenties I had a divorced,
And I began to sing rhythm and blues.
I got with Capital Records and Warner Brothers
Records and United Artist Records.It broke my mama's heart.
She used to tell me all the time I don't like you singing the blues.
And I remember at one time in particular we had a
Great big show down in Birmingham City in Victoria.
I was alone on the show This Temptations and Johnny Taylang,
Tyrone Davis y'all act like y'all don't know
These names. You know you dancing to that music.
And I went, i said mama I want you to come and I want you to come to
The show and she didn't say nothing,
You know she never spoken her mouth.
And so I went to the store and bought her a new outfit,
I brought her a suit and her shoes and
Pocketbooks to match, and a hat and bought her a new watch.
I sent a limousine to pick her up that night,
The limousine came back empty. Got mad,
I got back home that night I said why didn't you come,
She said girl I won't gonna ten steps to hear you sing the blues.
In my mind I'm thinking she sure
Took 'em clothes, the blues money bought.
But mama had a standard she would not compromise.
And I remember on the album called "House of Love" Victim was on that
Album. And there was a song that I know she wasn't coming to hear me
Sing and I knew she was sick.
And I didn't know how long she was gonna
Live but I put that song on there and it says
Precious Lord take my hand lead me home.
And I used to see her sitting in the corner,
Crying as she listened to it.
She died in 1979 before I gave my heart to
Jesus. She never saw me do what I do today.
And one morning I woke up and she was so heavy on my heart,
And I thought she wish she knew and
I heard this voice say oh she knows.
And the Lord began to reign in my spirit this song,
I wrote this song and dedicated it to my mama.
And if you got a mama and all of you that got children out there in
That's in the street don't quit praying God is listening to your
Prayers. It may be 5 years, 10 years,
20 years don't stop dont quit don't give up.
God is listening to your prayers.
I wanna dedicate this to all mothers in Jesus name.
I thought you'd like to know
All those nights you paced the floor
Praying that I would make it home alright,
Believing in god that he would someday save my soul
Well he did, just thought you'd like too know.
Then I thought you'd like to know
All those prayers you prayed for me,
Never a-one fell to the ground, I know
Sometimes it look like I was a million miles from grace
But he answered your prayers, just thought you'd like too know.
Oh momma I want you to know I love you,
Please forgive my for all the times I broke your heart
Every tear you cried for me, drew me closer too being free,
And I want too thank you, just thought you'd like too know.
Then I thought you'd like too know
That I wish I could live my life again,
If I could, I would surely make amends,
And if I could help my brother,
A new life to discover, oh I would,
Just thought you'd like too know.
Oh momma I want you to know I love you,
Please forgive my for all the times I broke your heart
Every tear you cried for me, drew me closer too being free,
And I want too thank you, just thought you'd like too know.
Then I thought you'd like too know
The lyrics of "Mama Testimony" by Candi Staton tell the story of her life from childhood to adulthood, giving special mention to the influence and prayers of her mother. The first part of the song chronicles the challenges she faced growing up poor in Alabama with an alcoholic and gambling father. She talks about her mother's strong faith and how she was a prayer warrior who prayed for her constantly. Despite the hardships, Candi Staton began singing gospel solo at the age of five and was part of a gospel group by thirteen. She later transitioned to R&B, a move that didn't sit well with her mother but it catapulted her to fame.
In the second part of the song, Candi Staton speaks directly to her mother, letting her know that all her prayers were not in vain. She acknowledges the mistakes she made in life and confesses that she wishes she could turn back the hands of time to make amends. She assures her mother that she is now a Christian, and that her prayers played a role in her salvation. She also expresses her love and gratitude to her mother.
Overall, the song is an emotional tribute to a mother who prayed tirelessly for her children and a reflection on life's regrets and the possibility of redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
Praise the Lord,
Come on and Praise him. Hallelujah, give God some praise.
Expressing gratitude and admiration towards God.
I was born in Alabama and my mother was a
Christian and my father was an alcoholic and a gambler.
Born to religious mother and father with addiction problems.
We were raised on the bareness of necessities,
Sometimes we didn't have clothes to
Wear, we didn't have shoes on our feet
The money that came in,
If daddy didn't drink it up again or pulled it away.
Grew up in poverty and struggled to obtain even basic necessities due to father's alcoholism and gambling habits.
And my mama was a prayer warrior. She prayed for me.
Mother was deeply religious and prayed for her daughter.
5 years old I stood on a stage sung my first gospel solo.
13 years old I was with a group called The Jewel
Gospel Trio, we went all over the world singing gospel music.
Started singing gospel music from a young age and continued with a trio in teenage years.
In my early twenties I had a divorced,
And I began to sing rhythm and blues.
Got divorced in early twenties and switched to singing rhythm and blues instead of gospel music.
She used to tell me all the time I don't like you singing the blues.
Mother disapproved of singing blues music.
I sent a limousine to pick her up that night,
The limousine came back empty. Got mad,
I got back home that night I said why didn't you come,
She said girl I won't gonna ten steps to hear you sing the blues.
Tried to get mother to attend a blues show but she refused due to her disapproval of the genre.
But mama had a standard she would not compromise.
Mother held strong beliefs and would not compromise on them.
She died in 1979 before I gave my heart to
Jesus. She never saw me do what I do today.
Mother passed away before artist became fully committed to Christianity and before achieving success as a singer.
And one morning I woke up and she was so heavy on my heart,
And I thought she wish she knew and
I heard this voice say oh she knows.
Artist gets emotional thinking about mother and hears a voice saying that mother is aware and proud of her.
God is listening to your prayers.
Encouraging mothers praying for their children that God is listening to their prayers.
I wanna dedicate this to all mothers in Jesus name.
Dedicating the song to all mothers in the name of Jesus.
I thought you'd like to know
All those nights you paced the floor
Praying that I would make it home alright,
Believing in god that he would someday save my soul
Well he did, just thought you'd like too know.
Expressions of gratitude towards mother for her prayers that helped artist find her way and be saved by God.
Oh momma I want you to know I love you,
Please forgive my for all the times I broke your heart
Every tear you cried for me, drew me closer too being free,
And I want too thank you, just thought you'd like too know.
Asking for forgiveness for past mistakes and thanking mother for her love and tears that helped her find freedom.
Then I thought you'd like too know
That I wish I could live my life again,
If I could, I would surely make amends,
And if I could help my brother,
A new life to discover, oh I would,
Just thought you'd like too know.
Expressing regrets and a desire to make amends if second chances were granted, and willingness to help others find their way.
Contributed by Austin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Terinia reid
on It's the Anointing
I love this song