Brief Biography
Karen Clark Sheard was born the youngest of six children born to Pastor Elbert Clark and Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, a pioneering gospel choral director. Clark-Sheard is best known for being a member of iconic gospel group The Clark Sisters.
Karen's involvement in the Island Inspirational All Stars' "Don't Give Up" in 1996 (along with Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker, and Kirk Franklin) led to her signing with Island Records.[1] Her solo career began with the release of her debut album Finally Karen in 1997. The album, consisting of half studio recordings and half live recordings, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 1998. The set did however win the Lady Of Soul award for Best Gospel Album the same year.[2]
After Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark-Sheard became the 2nd gospel artist to sign to Elektra Records. She released her Elektra debut album 2nd Chance in 2002 led off by the single "Be Sure". Though Clark-Sheard was in excellent form vocally, the slick, progressive sound of the disc was not received well. The 2003 followup The Heavens Are Telling fared well, but came at an awkward time when Elektra Records was being dissolved into Atlantic Records. In 2005, after a bidding war with several labels, Karen Clark Sheard finally signed with Word Records and issued It's Not Over, the following year.
Singers Mariah Carey, Faith Evans and Beyoncé all count Karen Clark-Sheard as one of their greatest vocal influences.[3]
Personal life
On June 16, 1984, Karen Clark-Sheard wed John Drew Sheard, a minister. Her husband is senior pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit. Together they have 2 children: Kierra, who is also a gospel recording artist, and John Drew Sheard II, a young musician and up-and-coming producer.
In 2001, Clark-Sheard was faced with a life-threatening crisis when a blood vessel burst during a scheduled hernia surgery. Her doctors only gave her a 2% chance of survival due to her complications. After the blood clot was surgically removed, Clark-Sheard fell into a coma. The coma lasted three and a half weeks[4], but Clark-Sheard made a miraculous [5][6]recovery and recorded her sophomore album, 2nd Chance (named so because of the "second chance" given to her by God) [7], in 2002. Clark-Sheard's near-death experience is referenced in her daughter Kierra's song "You Don't Know".
Voice
* 1st Soprano
Highest Note
* Eb6 in "Name it and Claim it" (Gospel, motion picture, 1982) and "Livin'" ("You Showed Me" was a C6 natural)
Lowest Note
* G3 in "So Good" and "Its Not Over" (version from album of same title)
Don't Change
Karen Clark Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Phone rings
[hello?]
(hey mama)
[yeah]
(can we kick it?)
[can we kick it?]
[that's more like it]
(well here's my story)
verse 1
(becoming a lady)[yeah]
There are so many things to learn[uh huh]
About life and things that we're made of[now I see where this is all going]
Don't wanna be mistaken
For not being a christian girl[uh huh]
And my fear is being made fun of)
[baby let me tell you how to cope](tell me)
'cause ya mama went through the same thing(i bet you did)
Be not justified by what your friends might think]
chorus
(mama I do my best
To obey the rules that you and daddy set
To keep me from doin' somethin' that I might regret
Even though it's hard mama don't change)
[being a mama ain't a easy task
It's more than examples on how to cook and dress
Discipline and values I know you need to get
Even though your hard headed don't change]
verse2
(i know that I am special)[yes you are]
Because I am a child [mama's baby]of the king
But in the school they be thinking that I am arrogant[what now hold]
I don't understand it[well]
You told me to be proud of myself[yes I did]
Why does it seem like I'm doing all the wrong things)
[ let me tell you how to be
When your attacked by the hands of the enemy
Hold you head up high
And in him you must believe]
chrous
verse3
(mama I know it looks like I'm not listenin'
But I hear you and daddy too
Thank you for showing me what to do)
[we know you try we know it ain't easy to live this life sometime]
(but as your by my side)
([we can make it together])
j-moss
I know what it means when you see them things on the T.V screens make a sista wanna ([scream])
You wanna make it quick everytime you see 23's or 24's thick on the floor
But mama knows best
Daddy told you whenever you come come correct
Take your time baby and be a young lady
You whole of your life a head of you don't change
chorusx2
(can we talk anytime
Can I tell ya what's on my mind
Your my friend till the end
Can I come
Can I call
Will say the right thing
And explain what cha mean[i will]
Can you show me [watch me]how to get through
We I can see oh oh)
The song "Don't Change" by Karen Clark Sheard featuring Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, is a dialogue between a mother and daughter about the challenges that girls face while growing up, especially in the teenage years. The song begins with a phone call from KiKi to her mother, asking for advice and support. KiKi expresses her fears of being judged and criticized by her peers for her religious beliefs and values. Karen responds by sharing her own experiences of adolescence and encourages her daughter to stay strong and true to herself.
In the second verse, KiKi talks about her struggles with self-esteem and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. Karen reminds her daughter that she is special and loved by God, and encourages her to hold her head up high, even when faced with negativity from others. The final verse is a reflection of the mother's pride in her daughter and their bond. J-Moss joins in with a rap verse to further emphasize the importance of staying true to oneself and not changing for anyone.
Overall, "Don't Change" is a powerful and emotional song about the challenges faced by young women, particularly in relation to self-esteem and peer pressure. The song's message of staying true to oneself and leaning on family for support is one that resonates with listeners of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
(KeKe)[Karen]
Conversation between mother and daughter, Karen Clark Sheard and Kierra "KeKe" Sheard
Phone rings
Phone call between the mother and daughter
[hello?]
Mother answers the phone
(hey mama)
Daughter greets her mother
[yeah]
Mother confirms the conversation
(can we kick it?)
Daughter asks for a conversation
[can we kick it?]
Mother confirms they can have a conversation
(i'm sorry, can I talk to you for a minute)
Daughter politely asks for a conversation
[that's more like it]
Mother is glad her daughter asked nicely
(well here's my story)
Daughter is ready to talk to her mother
(becoming a lady)[yeah]
Daughter talks about growing up and becoming a woman
There are so many things to learn[uh huh]
Daughter states the challenges of growing up
About life and things that we're made of[now I see where this is all going]
Daughter reflects on the complexity of life
Don't wanna be mistaken
Daughter doesn't want to be misunderstood
For not being a christian girl[uh huh]
Daughter wants to be recognized as a Christian
And my fear is being made fun of)
Daughter is afraid of being ridiculed for her beliefs
[baby let me tell you how to cope](tell me)
Mother offers guidance and support
('cause ya mama went through the same thing)[i bet you did]
Mother relates to her daughter's situation and offers empathy
Be not justified by what your friends might think]
Mother advises her daughter to stay true to herself
(mama I do my best
Daughter expresses her effort to follow her parents' rules and advice
To obey the rules that you and daddy set
Daughter acknowledges her parents' authority
To keep me from doin' somethin' that I might regret
Daughter understands her parents' intentions to protect her from harm
Even though it's hard mama don't change)
Daughter appreciates her mother's guidance and asks her not to change
[being a mama ain't a easy task
Mother acknowledges the difficulties of being a parent
It's more than examples on how to cook and dress
Mother explains the depth of parenting
Discipline and values I know you need to get
Mother emphasizes the importance of discipline and values
Even though your hard headed don't change]
Mother loves her daughter despite her stubbornness
(i know that I am special)[yes you are]
Daughter recognizes her worth
Because I am a child [mama's baby]of the king
Daughter identifies with her Christian faith
But in the school they be thinking that I am arrogant[what now hold]
Daughter is misunderstood by her peers
I don't understand it[well]
Daughter is confused by her classmates' behavior
You told me to be proud of myself[yes I did]
Daughter remembers her mother's advice to have self-confidence
Why does it seem like I'm doing all the wrong things)
Daughter is frustrated by the reaction of her peers
[ let me tell you how to be
Mother offers advice on how to handle difficult situations
When your attacked by the hands of the enemy
Mother advises her daughter to stay strong when confronted by challenges
Hold you head up high
Mother advises her daughter to be confident
And in him you must believe]
Mother encourages her daughter to trust in God
(mama I know it looks like I'm not listenin'
Daughter thanks her mother for guiding her
But I hear you and daddy too
Daughter assures her mother that she listens
Thank you for showing me what to do)
Daughter appreciates her parents' guidance
[we know you try we know it ain't easy to live this life sometime]
Mother understands the difficulties of growing up
(but as your by my side)
Daughter feels supported by her mother
([we can make it together])
Mother and daughter have a strong relationship
I know what it means when you see them things on the T.V screens make a sista wanna ([scream])
J-Moss empathizes with the influences in the media
You wanna make it quick everytime you see 23's or 24's thick on the floor
J-Moss acknowledges the temptation to follow trends
But mama knows best
J-Moss acknowledges a mother's wisdom
Daddy told you whenever you come come correct
J-Moss acknowledges a father's guidance
Take your time baby and be a young lady
J-Moss advises to take time and be patient
You whole of your life a head of you don't change
J-Moss encourages to be true to oneself
(can we talk anytime
Daughter asks for a open communication with her mother
Can I tell ya what's on my mind
Daughter wants to share her thoughts with her mother
Your my friend till the end
Daughter feels that her mother is her friend
Can I come
Daughter asks if she can go to her mother
Can I call
Daughter asks if she can talk to her mother on the phone
Will say the right thing
Daughter trusts her mother to give good advice
And explain what cha mean[i will]
Mother agrees to explain things
Can you show me [watch me]how to get through
Daughter asks for guidance
We I can see oh oh)
Daughter wants to see a brighter future
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN S. HALL, ROGER MURDOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind