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)
You Showed Me
Karen Clark Sheard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Da, da, da, da, da.
Da, da, da, da, da.
[Verse:]
You showed me (Your unchanging love),
And You showed me (that the love does so much).
In my soul today and everyday,
You're the breeze of the seas, the life abundantly,
The happiness (You showed me),
Joy (You showed me),
Peace (You showed me) and love.
[Chorus:]
For everything I am, You showed me.
For everything I've got, You showed me.
For dangers seen and unseen, You showed me.
For being a part of You, You showed me.
[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Vamp:]
(You showed me You love me),
(You showed me You care),
(You showed me Your mercy)
(because You're still there).
(You showed me You didn't have to do it, but You did),
(You showed me Your grace 'cause I'm still here).
You showed me You love me,
You showed me You care,
You showed me Your mercy
Because You're stiil there.
You showed me You didn't have to do it, but You did,
(You showed Your happiness) You showed me,
(joy) You showed me,
(peace) You showed me (and love).
[Chorus]
The song "You Showed Me" by Karen Clark Sheard is a powerful ballad that celebrates the unchanging love of God in the life of the believer. The opening verse of the song declares, "You showed me (Your unchanging love), And You showed me (that the love does so much)." Sheard emphasizes the transformative effect of God's love in her soul that connects her to Him, just like the bond of the moon and the sun. She uses vivid imagery to describe the attributes of God that He has shown her, such as being the breeze of the seas, the source of abundant life, happiness, joy, peace, and love.
The chorus of the song acknowledges the impact of God's love on every aspect of the believer's life. Sheard sings, "For everything I am, You showed me. For everything I've got, You showed me. For dangers seen and unseen, You showed me. For being a part of You, You showed me." The repetition of the phrase "You showed me" emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of God's love in the life of the believer.
The vamp of the song is a repetition of the different ways God has shown His love to Sheard. She sings, "You showed me You love me, You showed me You care, You showed me Your mercy because You're still there." She then reflects on the fact that God didn't have to do it, but He did, and it is because of His grace that she is still standing. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
You showed me
You revealed to me
Your unchanging love
Your love that remains constant and unwavering
That the love does so much
That love has the power to impact and change lives
In my soul today and everyday
Within the depths of my being every moment of my life
It connects like the bond (of the moon and the sun)
It creates a strong connection like the celestial bond between the moon and sun
You're the breeze of the seas, the life abundantly
You are the refreshing breeze of the ocean and the source of abundant life
The happiness (You showed me),
The joy and contentment that You have revealed to me
Joy (You showed me),
Gladness and delight that You have made known to me
Peace (You showed me) and love.
Calmness and tranquility and the unconditional love that You have demonstrated to me
For everything I am, You showed me.
You have revealed Yourself to me as the source of my identity
For everything I've got, You showed me.
You have shown me that all that I have comes from You
For dangers seen and unseen, You showed me.
You have revealed to me Your protection and guidance through both known and unknown risks
For being a part of You, You showed me.
You have made known to me that I am a part of You and Your plan
(You showed me You love me),
You have revealed Your love for me
(You showed me You care),
You have demonstrated Your concern for me
(You showed me Your mercy)
You have made known Your compassion and forgiveness
(because You're still there).
Because You have remained faithful and present
(You showed me You didn't have to do it, but You did),
You have revealed that Your actions towards me were voluntary and not obligatory
(You showed me Your grace 'cause I'm still here).
You have made known Your undeserved favor that has allowed me to still exist
(You showed me You love me),
You have revealed Your love for me
(You showed me You care),
You have demonstrated Your concern for me
(You showed me Your mercy)
You have made known Your compassion and forgiveness
Because You're still there.
Because You are still present and faithful
(You showed me You didn't have to do it, but You did),
You have revealed that Your actions towards me were voluntary and not obligatory
(You showed Your happiness) You showed me,
You have revealed Your joy and delight to me
(joy) You showed me,
You have revealed gladness and delight to me
(peace) You showed me (and love).
You have revealed calmness, tranquility and unconditional love to me
For everything I am, You showed me.
You have revealed Yourself to me as the source of my identity
For everything I've got, You showed me.
You have shown me that all that I have comes from You
For dangers seen and unseen, You showed me.
You have revealed to me Your protection and guidance through both known and unknown risks
For being a part of You, You showed me.
You have made known to me that I am a part of You and Your plan
Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chàrnelle Mc Master
Her voice, control, everything is amazing. Very inspirational song, sang this song with a church group as a child and it’s stood out in my memory. Still ignited my worship
floria comeaux
the harmony is sick in this song awesome
BNWK2ATL2004WORD
one of the greatest gospel vocalist of all time
Queen Radiant
Still one of favorite songs!
Eva T
This song is timeless, luv it!❤🕊
Slaychelle
Yaaaas, who else but Karen would belt a soprano C (C6) 2:57 Love this song so much!!!
Yvette Renee
I used to play this all the time. It is so beautiful. 😍
Brionna walker
I love this song!!!! Very powerful and it touches me
bcunni
I love this song so much. God loves us so much than we love ourselves. Thank you Father for loving this sinner and keeping me in your arms, away from harm. I love you!
Moonhattre Lyrics
Amen. Very inspirational and powerful song.