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."
Dance
Mandisa Lyrics
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There was something had me down but it's over now
I'm a throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is dance, dance, dance
They told me you ain't good enough
Don't look good enough
Maybe you should give it up
And if I would've then I never could've received
None of the things that He planned for me
So I waited a little longer
Grew a little stronger and then
I realized something was happening
It's so incredible, it's unexplainable
You oughta try Him for yourself and see because
Maybe you don't understand why I gotta dance
There was something had me down but it's over now
I'm a throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is dance, dance, dance
Sometimes I think about
How it used to be, and can't help but
Remembering how it was never easy for me, no, no
But the way God works, it's so amazing
He never forgot me, I can't forget Him
That's enough for me to lift my hands and
I'm sorry if you don't understand
Maybe you don't understand why I gotta dance
There was something had me down but it's over now
I'm a throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is dance, dance, dance
All my tears (it's over now)
And all my pain (it's over now)
All my doubts (it's over now)
They went away (it's over now)
No more fear (it's over now)
And I'm glad (it's over now)
Yes, so glad
'Cause all I wanna do is dance
Maybe you don't understand why I gotta dance
There was something had me down but it's over now
I'm a throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is dance, dance, dance
In Mandisa's song Dance Dance Dance, she sings about her desire to dance because of the freedom she feels in Christ. The lyrics describe her past struggles, including doubts and criticism, but she has overcome them and is now celebrating her newfound joy. She acknowledges that others may not understand why she needs to dance, but she is focused on God's plan for her life and the blessings she has received.
The song begins with the lines, "Maybe you don't understand why I gotta dance/There was something had me down but it's over now." This may refer to personal struggles or difficult circumstances that were weighing Mandisa down. However, she declares that those things are in the past and she is ready to let loose and dance. The chorus repeats the line "all I wanna do is dance" several times, emphasizing the joy and release Mandisa feels when she is dancing.
The second verse of the song describes how Mandisa was told she wasn't good enough for the music industry, but she persevered and eventually found success. She believes this is because of God's plan for her life and encourages others to have faith in Him as well. The bridge of the song reflects on the difficulties Mandisa has faced in the past, including fear and doubt, but she sings that those things are now gone and she is grateful to God. Overall, Dance Dance Dance is a joyful and uplifting song that encourages listeners to celebrate their blessings and find freedom in Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe you don't understand why I gotta dance
I need to dance to express my happiness and gratitude, even if it's not clear why to others.
There was something had me down but it's over now
I struggled with something in the past, but it no longer has power over me.
I'm a throw my hands up
I'm going to lift my hands in celebration.
Wave 'em all in the air
I'm going to move my hands vigorously as a way of expressing my joy.
'Cause all I wanna do is dance, dance, dance
All I want to do is celebrate through dancing.
They told me you ain't good enough
People criticized me, saying I wasn't talented or capable enough.
Don't look good enough
They said I didn't meet their standards of appearance.
Don't sing good enough
They said I wasn't talented enough in my singing ability.
Maybe you should give it up
They suggested that I should quit trying.
And if I would've then I never could've received
If I had given up, I would not have received the blessings and opportunities that God had planned for me.
None of the things that He planned for me
I would have missed out on everything that God had in store for me.
So I waited a little longer
I continued to persevere and wait for God's plan to unfold.
Grew a little stronger and then
Through my struggles, I became stronger and more resilient.
I realized something was happening
I began to see that God was working in my life.
It's so incredible, it's unexplainable
The blessings and transformations I experienced were beyond explanation.
You oughta try Him for yourself and see because
I encourage others to try trusting in God for themselves and see the amazing things He can do.
Sometimes I think about
Occasionally, I reflect on the past.
How it used to be, and can't help but
I remember how things were in the past and can't help but.
Remembering how it was never easy for me, no, no
I recall how difficult certain experiences were for me.
But the way God works, it's so amazing
Despite the challenges, I am in awe of the amazing ways God works in my life.
He never forgot me, I can't forget Him
God has always been there for me, and I will always remember His love and faithfulness.
That's enough for me to lift my hands and
God's love and faithfulness motivate me to celebrate.
I'm sorry if you don't understand
I apologize if others do not comprehend the joy and gratitude I have in God.
All my tears (it's over now)
I no longer cry tears of sadness or grief.
And all my pain (it's over now)
I have been freed from the pain and hurt of past experiences.
All my doubts (it's over now)
I no longer have doubts about God's plan for my life.
They went away (it's over now)
All negative emotions have disappeared.
No more fear (it's over now)
I am no longer afraid of the future.
And I'm glad (it's over now)
I am overjoyed that I no longer carry the burden of these negative emotions.
Yes, so glad
I am extremely happy and grateful for what God has done in my life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERICA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, ERICA MONIQUE ATKINS-CAMPBELL, TRECINA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, WARRYN CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind