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)
I've Been Changed
Karen Clark Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Any other day, I wouldn't have dealt with this situation this way
There were a lot of things, I wanted to say but I
Thought about what would have happened if I let you get the best of me
No way and now I can truly say
I was a bird on the ground using my legs to get around
Tell you how I know, places I used to go, I don't even go no more
'Cause I can fly now and the song, I play lets me know, I've been changed
Never mind what you've heard. I'm not the same
Somewhere, somehow, someway I reversed the way I do things
No it ain't worth all the tug of war with you to prove I'm stronger
I no longer stay to play and lose, now I am proud to say, it's true
I was a bird on the ground using my legs to get around
I was a piano out of tune but I've been turned around
Tell you how I know, places I used to go, I don't even go no more
'Cause I can fly now and the song, I play lets me know, I've been changed
Make no mistake about it, anyone could change
But it takes a strong mind to say that doing the right thing is okay
And now that I've decided to give up these ways
There's no turning back now
Now that I've found out I can overcome these things, oh
I was a bird on the ground using my legs to get around
I was a piano out of tune but I've been turned around
Tell you how I know, places I used to go, I don't even go no more
'Cause I can fly now and the song, I play let's me know, I've been changed
I was a bird on the ground using my legs to get around
I was a piano out of tune but I've been turned around
Tell you how I know, places I used to go, I don't even go no more
'Cause I can fly now and the song, I play let's me know, I've been changed
I was a bird on the ground using my legs to get around
I was a piano out of tune but I've been turned around
Tell you how I know, places I used to go, I don't even go no more
'Cause I can fly now and the song, I play let's me know, I've been changed
The song "I've Been Changed" by Karen Clark Sheard is an uplifting song about personal growth and transformation. The lyrics talk about the struggles of the past and how the singer has overcome them. The song starts with a question, "I wonder is there anybody out there been changed" which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer talks about how, in the past, they wouldn't have dealt with situations the way they do now. However, after deciding to change their ways, they can confidently say that they have been transformed.
The imagery used in the lyrics is powerful. The singer describes themselves as a "bird on the ground using my legs to get around" and a "piano out of tune". These descriptions paint a picture of someone who is struggling and not reaching their full potential. However, the chorus shows how the singer has changed and can now "fly" and play a beautiful song. This metaphor highlights the transformation that has taken place in the singer’s life.
Overall, "I've Been Changed" celebrates personal growth and encourages listeners to strive towards changing as well. It is a message of hope for anyone who feels stuck in their current situation and wants to make a positive change in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, well, I wonder is there anybody out there been changed
I am curious if anyone has experienced a significant transformation.
Any other day, I wouldn't have dealt with this situation this way
I would not have handled this situation in the same manner on a different day.
There were a lot of things, I wanted to say but I
I had plenty of things that needed saying, but
Thought about what would have happened if I let you get the best of me
I considered the consequences of allowing you to defeat me.
No way and now I can truly say
Certainly not, and now I can confidently claim.
I was a bird on the ground using my legs to get around
I was grounded and limited, like a bird using legs instead of wings to move.
I was a piano out of tune but I've been turned around
I was like a malfunctioning piano, but I have been rectified and transformed.
Tell you how I know, places I used to go, I don't even go no more
Let me explain - there are many places I used to frequent that I no longer visit.
'Cause I can fly now and the song, I play lets me know, I've been changed
I can soar now, and the melody I produce confirms that I have undergone a significant metamorphosis.
Never mind what you've heard. I'm not the same
Pay no attention to rumors, I am not the person I once was.
Somewhere, somehow, someway I reversed the way I do things
At some point, I discovered a method for changing the way I behave and think.
No it ain't worth all the tug of war with you to prove I'm stronger
It is not worth the effort to engage in a power struggle to demonstrate my fortitude.
I no longer stay to play and lose, now I am proud to say, it's true
I no longer engage in activities that result in defeat, and I am thrilled to admit this is valid.
Make no mistake about it, anyone could change
Do not be misled; anyone is capable of transformation.
But it takes a strong mind to say that doing the right thing is okay
However, accepting that doing what is correct is appropriate takes a firm and determined mindset.
And now that I've decided to give up these ways
Having made the decision to abandon my old habits.
There's no turning back now
There is no possibility of returning to my old ways from this point forward.
Now that I've found out I can overcome these things, oh
Having discovered that I can triumph over such things.
I was a bird on the ground using my legs to get around
I was grounded and limited, like a bird using legs instead of wings to move.
I was a piano out of tune but I've been turned around
I was like a malfunctioning piano, but I have been rectified and transformed.
Tell you how I know, places I used to go, I don't even go no more
Let me explain - there are many places I used to frequent that I no longer visit.
'Cause I can fly now and the song, I play lets me know, I've been changed
I can soar now, and the melody I produce confirms that I have undergone a significant metamorphosis.
I was a bird on the ground using my legs to get around
I was grounded and limited, like a bird using legs instead of wings to move.
I was a piano out of tune but I've been turned around
I was like a malfunctioning piano, but I have been rectified and transformed.
Tell you how I know, places I used to go, I don't even go no more
Let me explain - there are many places I used to frequent that I no longer visit.
'Cause I can fly now and the song, I play let's me know, I've been changed
I can soar now, and the melody I produce confirms that I have undergone a significant metamorphosis.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HAROLD SPENCER JR LILLY, HAROLD LILLY JR, MAGDALENE RUTH MILLSAP, WALTER WORTH MILSAP, CANDICE NELSON, ERICK WALLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind