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)
Nothing Without You
Karen Clark Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm nothing without You...
I realize I'm nothing without You...
[Karen Clark-Sheard:]
Heavenly Father, here I stand,
I need You to guide me, please hold my hand;
Said I'm nothing without You...
[Faith Evans:]
Heavenly Father, for all You've done for me,
Said I'm grateful, grateful just to be;
Said I'm nothing without You...
I'm nothing without You...
I'm nothing without You...
I realize I'm nothing without You...
[Faith:]
When I was in trouble, You were there,
You gave me direction, showed me that You cared;
said, I'm nothing without You.
[Karen:]
I wanna thank You, Father, for all You've done for me,
Oh yes, I'm grateful, grateful just to be;
Said I'm nothing without You...
[Both:] Ooh, somebody tell me... (How could I ever live on my own?)
[Faith:] Just when I needed a friend, it was Your love that brought me in...
[Karen:] (If You don't guide me, then I'll go wrong,)
[Karen:] 'Cause I need to be strong, I need You to carry on...
[(Karen):]
Said You'll never leave me (Said You'd never leave me), said You'll always be there; (I'll always be there...)
Life is worth living, 'cause I know that You care...
(I'm nothing without You...)
[(Faith:)]
(Said You'd never...) Said You'll never leave me, (Said You'd always, yeah...) said You'll always be there;
Life is worth living, ('cause I know...) 'cause I know that You care...
(I'm nothing without You...)
[(Karen):]
(Said You'd never leave me,) Said You'll never leave me, (Said You'll always be there,) said You'll always be there;
(Life is...) Life is worth living, (worth living...) 'cause I know that You care...
(Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, I'm nothing, no, without you, without you...)
[(Faith:)]
(Oh, You said...) Said You'll never leave me, (Said You'd always, yeah, yeah...) said You'll always be there;
Life is worth living, ('cause I know...) 'cause I know that You care...
(I'm nothing without You...)
[(Karen:)]
(Said You'd never leave me,) Said You'll never leave me, (You'll always...) said You'll always be there;
('Cause life...) Life is worth living, 'cause I know that You care...
(Oh, nothing without You...)
Said You'll never leave me (I know you won't!), said You'll always be there; (You're gonna be right there...)
Life is worth living, 'cause I know that You care... (Oh...)
(I'm nothing without You...)
The song "Nothing Without You" by Karen Clark Sheard featuring Faith Evans is a tribute to the power and guidance of God in the lives of the artists. The lyrics express an understanding of their reliance on God, and the necessity of His presence in their lives. The song's opening verses utilize direct address to God, with Karen Clark Sheard asking for guidance and acknowledging her dependence on His strength. Through this direct address, the song becomes a prayer, expressing the gratitude and faith of the artists in God's plan.
Throughout the song, both artists emphasize the importance of God's love and guidance in their lives. Faith Evans speaks of the comfort she found in God during difficult times, while Karen Clark Sheard emphasizes the importance of God's reliability as a source of support. The repeated refrain of "I'm nothing without You" emphasizes the central theme of the song, that human beings are dependent on the love and guidance of God. Through this message, the song encourages listeners to embrace their faith, and trust in the belief that God is always there to support and guide them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm nothing without You...
There is no me without You, God.
I realize I'm nothing without You...
I am now aware that I am nothing without You, God.
Heavenly Father, here I stand,
God, I stand before you as Your child.
I need You to guide me, please hold my hand;
I require Your guidance, hold my hand as You lead me through.
Said I'm nothing without You...
I acknowledge that without You I am nothing, God.
Heavenly Father, for all You've done for me,
God, I am beyond grateful for all You have done for me.
Said I'm grateful, grateful just to be;
I am grateful simply for being alive because of You, God.
When I was in trouble, You were there,
In times of trouble, You were always there for me, God.
You gave me direction, showed me that You cared;
You gave me direction, letting me know that You care, God.
I wanna thank You, Father, for all You've done for me,
God, I want to express my gratitude for all the things You have done for me.
How could I ever live on my own?
It is impossible for me to live without You, God.
Just when I needed a friend, it was Your love that brought me in...
You brought me in with Your love just when I needed a friend, God.
If You don't guide me, then I'll go wrong,
I will go astray if You do not guide me, God.
Cause I need to be strong, I need You to carry on...
I need You to be strong to lead me because I cannot do it on my own, God.
Said You'll never leave me (Said You'd never leave me), said You'll always be there; (I'll always be there...)
You promised never to abandon me and to always be with me, God.
Life is worth living, 'cause I know that You care...
I know that you care, and so life is worth living, God.
(Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, I'm nothing, no, without you, without you...)
I am nothing without You, God.
(I'm nothing without You...)
Without You, God, there is no me.
Contributed by Amelia W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.