Donald Lawrence studied at Cincinnati Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music. To his credit, Donald's musicality has seen many incarnations, as vocal coach to the R&B group En Vogue, musical director for Stephanie Mills, songwriter for The Clark Sisters, and producer for a host of artists including Peabo Bryson and Kirk Franklin. Lawrence took on The Tri-City Singers after a friend vacated his position as musical director.
The group debuted in 1993 with A Songwriter's Point Of View on a then-brand-new independent record label called GospoCentric Records. The set debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The group's follow-up release Bible Stories would top those same charts when it arrived in 1995. It was the first to be billed as Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers and featured black church-ubiquitous hits such as "A Message For The Saints", "I Am God" and "Stranger".
In 1997, Donald Lawrence produced the live portion of Karen Clark Sheard's Grammy-nominated Finally Karen debut. Lawrence & Tri-City also released the seasonal Hello Christmas the same year.
In 2000, Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers signed to EMI Gospel. To promote the new album, a maxi CD of the lead single "Testify" to the mainstream. House remixes by Junior Vasquez sent the song to #33 on Billboard's Mainstream Dance Charts. When tri-city4.com was finally released in 2001, the set peaked at #2 on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts and #13 on Billboard's Heatseekers Charts. The album also got a profile boost from the all-star standout "God's Favor", featuring vocal turns from Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell, and Kelly Price.
In 2004 "I Speak Life" was Donald Lawrence' first solo album, the debut for his newly inked recording contract with Verity Records, and also the first release under his new sublabel Quiet Water Entertainment. Though the album was without The Tri-City Singers, guest appearances were plenteous. Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Faith Evans, Richard Smallwood, and Carl Thomas all contributed to the album. Even jazz notables Ramsey Lewis and Lalah Hathaway were on hand for a remake of the Bible Stories classic "Don't Forget To Remember".
Best for Last
Donald Lawrence Lyrics
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Remind you the best is still yet to come
I know the plans that I have for you
Plans to prosper, nothing harm you
And although you may think that your time has passed
God's only saving the best for last
Your future greater than your past
I know the plans that I have for you
Plans to prosper, nothing harm you
And although you may think that your time has passed
God's only saving the best for last
Your future greater than your past (my Sister, Yolanda Adams)
I have a word to share with you (share it)
Those who feel God has forgotten you
I know you feel your time has passed
God's only saving the best for last
And your future greater than your past
I can hear you saying that life won't give you a break
But every step forward, ten steps back you take
But God is the master of strategy
And he's only confusing the enemy
He's getting you ready for the brightest victory, I know
I know the plans that I have for you
Plans to prosper, nothing harm you
And although you may think that your time has passed
God's only saving the best for last
Your future greater than your past
The best for last (sing it, Donald)
Your future greater than your past
Say it for (the best), come on say it for (for last)
I like it when you say it like (your future greater than your past)
The best for last
Your future greater than your past
The best for last
Your future greater than your past
The best for last
The best for last
The best for last
The best for last
I know the plans that I have for you
Plans to prosper, nothing harm you
And although you may think that your time has passed
God's only saving the best for last
Your future greater than your past
The song Best for Last by Donald Lawrence is a gospel song that aims to uplift and encourage listeners who may feel like they have missed opportunities or believe that they have already lived their best life. The song works to assure listeners that while it may seem like time has passed them by, they should not lose hope as God has a plan for them that will lead to a prosperous future. The lyrics speak directly to those who may feel forgotten or believe their chance for greatness has passed them by. The song claims that God is always working to help us achieve success and that His timing is perfect as he is always saving the best for last.
The song is particularly interesting in how it combines motivational phrases with a religious message. Lawrence is not just stating that a person's future can be better than their past but he is also combining that journey with the belief that God has a plan for everyone. The song is also successful in sustaining a musical energy and emotional urgency that is common in gospel music. The use of repetition in the chorus particularly hits home with the audience, encouraging them to sing along and fully embrace the message of the song. The song's repeated refrain of "best for last" is catchy and compelling, making it easy for the listener to focus on the important message.
Line by Line Meaning
Just want to encourage you
I am here to provide you with hope and inspiration.
Remind you the best is still yet to come
I want to remind you that your best days are still ahead of you.
I know the plans that I have for you
God has a plan specifically for you.
Plans to prosper, nothing harm you
God's plan for you is meant for your success and protection.
And although you may think that your time has passed
It is understandable to feel like you may have missed your opportunity.
God's only saving the best for last
God is reserving the best and most meaningful moments for your future.
Your future greater than your past
Your future will be even more magnificent than your past experiences.
I have a word to share with you (share it)
I have an important message to convey.
Those who feel God has forgotten you
For those who have lost faith or feel neglected by God.
And your future greater than your past
Your future holds more promise and excitement than your past.
I can hear you saying that life won't give you a break
I understand that life has not been kind to you lately.
But every step forward, ten steps back you take
Although progress may be slow, do not lose hope.
But God is the master of strategy
God knows what he is doing and has a plan for you.
And he's only confusing the enemy
God is working behind the scenes to deceive the powers that oppose you.
He's getting you ready for the brightest victory, I know
God is preparing you for your biggest triumph yet.
The best for last (sing it, Donald)
The most significant and joyful moments will come last.
Say it for (the best), come on say it for (for last)
Repeat after me that the best moments will arrive last.
I like it when you say it like (your future greater than your past)
It is powerful to speak and believe that your future will be greater than your past.
The best for last
The most meaningful moment is yet to come.
Your future greater than your past
Your future will surpass anything you've experienced in the past.
The best for last
The most significant and meaningful moment is reserved for the end.
The best for last
Your greatest joy is yet to come.
The best for last
God has reserved your finest moment for the end.
The best for last
Your most fulfilling moment is yet to come.
I know the plans that I have for you
God has a special and unique plan for you.
Plans to prosper, nothing harm you
God has a plan for your prosperity and safety.
And although you may think that your time has passed
It is okay to feel like you have missed out on opportunities.
God's only saving the best for last
God is reserving the most critical moments for your future.
Your future greater than your past
Your future is filled with more promise and excitement than your past.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Donald Lawrence
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@teresamorris1314
My son sent me this song I'm sitting here with tears running down my face thank you both for this song God bless
@KemoDonTV
Don't be discouraged when it seems like others around you are prospering and you aren't. Just be patient and remember that God has a great plan for your life
@lucindaringer3298
Amen Kemo!
@marthamurphy6412
i really needed to hear that
@coilychronicles9639
Kemo J thank u
@JelinaHavanaSergioLopez
Amen to that
@nikkismith8447
AMEN!!! Often times we have a tendancy to compare ourselves to others see THEIR prosperity....then we doubt.
We dout ourSELVES, we doubt GOD...but HE"S ALWAYS WORKING!!!! We need to follow our ORDERED steps that He's set in place and have FAITH! Trust your process ...you'll get where you need to be!
@brittanywall9809
This song Been ministering to me for the last few months. Lord I thank you in advance for whatever you have in my life.
@lindaford8716
This song really ministered to me because i thought my season was over, but its not over until God says it over.
@ovty5358
Amen.