Mandisa grew up in Citrus Heights, California (Sacramento County) and graduated from El Camino Fundamental High School. She then attended American River College in Sacramento where she studied Vocal Jazz. Then she was off to Fisk University in Tennessee and graduated with a bachelor's of music degree with a concentration in vocal performance. Mandisa currently resides in the suburban Nashville community of Antioch, Tennessee. When she auditioned for American Idol in Chicago, she asked the judges to call her "just Mandisa", and she has been billed as Mandisa (with no last name) on the show since the shows Hollywood round. Mandisa was a backup singer for famed Christian author and speaker Beth Moore. She has stated her musical influences run the gamut from Whitney Houston to Def Leppard.
Idol judge Simon Cowell made several comments about Mandisa's weight during her audition. When he first saw her, he quipped are we "going to have a bigger stage this year." Later, when Paula Abdul commented that Mandisa had a "Frenchie" growl to her voice, Cowell responded that a more apt comparison would be to France itself. These were among comments that drew the ire of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, and would be one of the reasons Mandisa would entitle her 2007 album "True Beauty".
According to the Stronger Songfacts, the 11 tracks of Mandisa's 2011 album What If We Were Real encourage shining the light on whom we really are, including both the good and the bad; the theme of the record also coincided with Mandisa's public struggles with food addiction and weight loss. "A struggle is a struggle, and Jesus is there through it all," the singer explained. "He is there in compassion and grace. I have found that what He has spoken to me through these songs has been encouraging and I think that'll be true for other people who are going through their own hard times."
Back To You
Mandisa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh
Ooh
Back to you
Ooh
Ooh
I could never say enough to thank you
And I might think I could do enough to show you but I know
That's just a crazy dream
This shouldn't be complicated
This isn't that hard to see
It's not about what I do for you
It's what you've done for me
You gave your love, you gave your life
You gave your everything and I
Wanna give it all back
Give it all back to you
(If you give it all back)
You took a heart so black and blue
And piece by piece you make it new
The only thing left, the only thing left to do
Is give it all back to you
(Back to you) You
(Back to you) You
Give it all back to you
I just want to be a life that you use
I want all of me to be all for you (to be all for you)
And when I get it wrong you stick with me
Ain't that the truth (ain't that the truth)
It's just what you do (it's just what you do)
This shouldn't be complicated (complicated)
This isn't that hard to see (hard to see)
It's not about what I do for you
It's what you've done for me
You gave your love, you gave your life
You gave your everything and I
Wanna give it all back
Give it all back to you
(If you give it all back)
You took a heart so black and blue
And piece by piece you make it new
The only thing left, the only thing left to do
Is give it all back to you
(Back to you) you
(Back to you) you
Give it all back to you
I won't forget what you did
How you died so I could live
I don't deserve this kind of love
I'll testify, testify how you gave your life for mine
The only thing I know to do is give it all back to you
It's not about what I do for you
It's what you've done for me
You gave your love, you gave your life (you gave your life)
You gave your everything and I
Wanna give it all back
Give it all back to you
(I wanna give it all back to you)
You took a heart so black and blue (so black, so blue)
And piece by piece you make it new (to make it new)
The only thing left, the only thing left to do
Is give it all back to you, you, you
And I wont forget what you did, what you did
And I wont forget what you did, what you did
(Give it all back, give it all back to you, you, you)
And I wont forget what you did, what you did
And I wont forget what you did, what you did
(Give it all back, give it all back to you)
The song "Back to You" by Mandisa is a powerful expression of gratitude and devotion to God. The lyrics acknowledge that no matter how much one gives to show their love and appreciation, it can never be enough to match all the things God has done for them. The singer feels that the only logical response is to give everything back to God.
The chorus of the song highlights the theme of giving everything back to God. The singer acknowledges that God has already given His love, His life, and His everything to her, and she wants to give it all back to Him. The bridge of the song speaks of how God's love has transformed her heart from being black and blue to new.
The song's lyrics are straightforward and emotive, speaking of a deep desire to live fully for God and to give Him everything. It's a song that resonates with those who have experienced the transformative power of God's love in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Back to you
The focus of the song is returning all love back to God
I could never say enough to thank you
Expressing gratitude towards God for everything He has done
For everything you've done for me
Acknowledging the many things God has done in one's life
And I might think I could do enough to show you but I know
Awareness of human limitation in comparison to God's love and grace
That's just a crazy dream
Realization that it is impossible to repay all that God has done
This shouldn't be complicated
Simplification of the concept of gratitude and love towards God
It's not about what I do for you
Emphasizing the fact that it is not about what one can do for God, but rather what God has done for them
It's what you've done for me
Highlighting the importance of acknowledging God's many blessings
You took a heart so black and blue
Acknowledging one's brokenness and the significant impact God has had in their life
And piece by piece you make it new
Gradual process of God restoring and healing one's heart
I just want to be a life that you use
Willingness to be used by God and serve Him
I won't forget what you did
Vow to remember and be grateful for everything that God has done
How you died so I could live
Reference to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross
I'll testify, testify how you gave your life for mine
Willingness to share with others the story of Jesus' love and sacrifice
The only thing I know to do is give it all back to you
Desire to return all love and gratitude back to God
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alan Powell, David Garcia, Ben Glover
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Sexciblack17
He Deserves All Of The Glory🙌
@jackdeberry9461
God Bless! Have a great week and may you always grow in your relationship with God, The Holy Spirit, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Continually for you and your family!
@BrittanyMcNamee
I just heard this song on the radio a few days ago. This is an amazing song!!
@stubby_cat19yearsago95
Me to
@jackdeberry9461
God Bless! Praying for you and your family!
@MaryMartinez-lx4de
Amen!!!! You better believe it that my Lord Jesus Christ deserves all the honor and all the glory it is because of him I have all what I have now and will continue to have in my future Hallelujah
@pengmimi
❤️Amen!
This is my confession to you God!
Thank You! Thank You for Everything!!!
@jamesduglas4168
Love your music mandisa
@jackdeberry9461
God Bless! Have a great week and may you always grow in your relationship with God, The Holy Spirit, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Continually for you and your family!
@xjello08x
This is beautiful. I heard it on the radio and went home to look for it thanks to yt.