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."
Out Of The Dark
Mandisa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out of the dark, out of the dark
Out of the dark, out of the dark
Out of the dark, out of the dark
I couldn't see
With all my mistakes and my regrets surrounding me
So in my shame I pulled away
You broke into the door of my heart
And You pulled me
Out of the dark, out of the dark
Into the light
You said I'm never too far, never too lost
Never too broken
You flipped on the sunshine, kicked the door wide open
When You pulled me
Out of the dark, out of the dark
Ou'-ou'-out of the dark, out of the dark
Into the light (into the light)
Into the light (into the light)
You lighted up the way
Showed me Your world of living color from the gray
I never dream of going back
I was deep in the shadows
I was blind and alone
But Your love shined down
And lit a fire in my soul
When You pulled me
Out of the dark, out of the dark
Into the light
You said I'm never too far, never too lost
Never too broken
You flipped on the sunshine, kicked the door wide open
When You pulled me
Out of the dark, out of the dark
Ou'-ou'-out of the dark, out of the dark
Into the light (into the light)
Into the light (into the light)
Like a crack in the clouds
When the sun starts to break through
I saw the light on the day You pulled me out
Like a crack in the clouds
When the sun starts to break through
I saw the light on the day You
I saw the light on the day You pulled me
Out of the dark, out of the dark
Into the light
You said I'm never too far, never too lost
Never too broken
You flipped on the sunshine, kicked the door wide open
When You pulled me
Out of the dark, out of the dark
Ou'-ou'-out of the dark, out of the dark
Into the light (into the light)
Into the light (into the light)
Into the light
Into the light
The lyrics of Mandisa's song "Out of the Dark" speak about a personal journey of redemption and transformation. The repetition of the phrase "out of the dark" reflects the desire to break free from a state of darkness and find light.
The opening lines acknowledge the singer's inability to see clearly due to past mistakes and regrets, causing feelings of shame and isolation. However, the metaphor of a thief breaking into the heart suggests a divine intervention - a force that takes hold and pulls the singer out of their darkness.
The chorus emphasizes the contrast of moving from darkness into the light. The use of "never too far, never too lost, never too broken" conveys a message of unconditional love and acceptance. The sunshine and opened door symbolize the restoration of hope and new beginnings experienced when the singer is pulled out of the dark.
The second verse reinforces the impact of escaping darkness by describing how the love of the divine brings color and brightness into what was once a gray existence. The imagery of being blind and alone emphasizes the isolation and despair the singer once felt, but the love that shines down ignites a fire in their soul, bringing vitality and purpose.
The bridge compares the breaking through of sunlight in the clouds to the moment of transformation experienced when the divine presence enters the singer's life. This breakthrough, or crack in the clouds, signifies the realization and enlightenment that occurs when the light is seen and embraced.
Overall, the lyrics of "Out of the Dark" convey a message of hope, redemption, and the power of divine intervention to guide someone out of a state of darkness and into a life filled with light, love, and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of the dark, out of the dark
Emerging from a state of despair and hopelessness
I couldn't see
Feeling blinded and unable to perceive the truth
With all my mistakes and my regrets surrounding me
Overwhelmed by past failures and remorse
So in my shame I pulled away
Retreating due to feeling unworthy and filled with guilt
But like a thief in the middle of a long cold night
Unexpectedly and discreetly making a profound impact
You broke into the door of my heart
Penetrating deep into the core of my being
And You pulled me
Drawing me towards a place of healing and redemption
Into the light
Guiding me towards truth, joy, and freedom
You said I'm never too far, never too lost
Assuring me of constant love and acceptance, regardless of distance or feeling lost
Never too broken
Acknowledging that my brokenness doesn't define my worth
You flipped on the sunshine, kicked the door wide open
Radiating warmth and hope, opening up new possibilities
You lighted up the way
Illuminating and guiding my path forward
Showed me Your world of living color from the gray
Revealing the vibrancy and beauty of life in contrast to my previous melancholy existence
I never dream of going back
Having no desire to return to the darkness and despair
I was deep in the shadows, I was blind and alone
Sinking into the depths of isolation and ignorance
But Your love shined down
Your affection and compassion poured upon me
And lit a fire in my soul
Igniting a passionate and renewed spirit within me
Like a crack in the clouds
Similar to a break in the overwhelming obstacles and hardships
When the sun starts to break through
Signifying the emergence of hope and positivity
I saw the light on the day You pulled me out
Experiencing a profound enlightenment and transformation upon being rescued
Into the light
Transcending darkness and entering a realm of truth and joy
Into the light
Continuing to advance towards a life filled with radiance and purpose
Lyrics ยฉ CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Mandisa Hundley, Bryan Christopher Fowler, Christopher Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julie Robinson
Mandisa, you have no idea how many lives you touch with your music! I have been in chronic pain for 15 years, and when the worst of it hits, I go to your music to lift me out of the โfocus on me pitโ. Donโt ever let Satan lie to you again. He will not have the last word. Jesus Lives!!!
Patrice Pettus
So encouraged by this song. I can never be reminded enough about how God pulled me out of the darkness of despair and into his marvelous light
Momma Joy
Thank you Lord for Mandisa! Our house burned down, my husband lost his job, we almost lost our new home. God was with us though. He used Mandisa's music many times to encourage me!!
Amos Bryan
Joy Sevits so sorry about that...its good you still have life
Dani
God bless you so much, Ms. Joy. I'm so sorry about all of those things-- that's so much to go through! But God bless you so much for being so amazing. Thank you for persevering. God is so proud of you. May He richly bless you as you begin a new season and part in your life. The Lord loves you!
Mary Wills
Fervent Heart yes let the lord gift you all
grace.
May the LORD be with you forever =)
McKenzie Holstine
Your are blessed like no other sweetheart.
Edwin Mugenyi
LORD you have brought us out of darkness into your marvelous light....... Blessed be your name.
parisangelone
Makes me happy when I listen to this!!! ๐๐ THANK YOU LORD!!!