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."
Say Goodbye
Mandisa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the liar in the mirror
Saying you can't ever change
To the guilt that's sittin' on your shoulder
Always keeping you wrapped in chains
To the past that you can't undo
To the pain that your walking through
This is what love wants to say
[Chorus]
Say goodbye say goodbye
To the one that used to be
Say goodbye say goodbye
Everyday is a brand new mercy
(Hello, hello)
This is where it starts now
(Hello, hello)
Everything can turn around
In a moment, here's your moment
You can say goodbye
There is grace that you can't imagine
There is love that you can't out run
There is peace you can hold onto
When your world is comin' undone
You don't have to give into the fear
Don't have to let your story stop here
When the hand tries to pull you back
You don't have to go back
You don't have to go back
[Chorus]
To everything that breaks you down
It doesn't have to define you now
Jesus can take it all away
[Chorus]
Say goodbye, say goodbye
Your not the one you used to be
Say goodbye, say goodbye
Everyday is a brand new mercy
(Hello, hello)
This is where it starts now
(Hello, hello)
Everything can turn around
In a moment, here's the moment
Where you say goodbye
Say goodbye, say goodbye, say goodbye
The lyrics of Mandisa's "Say Goodbye" are all about letting go of the past, embracing the present and the limitless possibilities of the future, and moving forward with grace and acceptance. The first verse speaks to the negative voices that often hold us back, both external and internal. These include the voice of the liar in the mirror, the guilt that keeps us chained, and the pain of past mistakes. The chorus urges the listener to say goodbye to their former self, to embrace the gift of each new day, and to start fresh with a renewed sense of hope and mercy. The second verse speaks to the abundance of love and peace that is always available to us, even amidst life's struggles. It encourages us to refuse to give in to fear, to let go of the things that threaten to define us, and to trust in the transformative power of faith. The song ends on a powerful note, urging the listener to seize the moment and take their first step on a new journey towards saying goodbye to the past and embracing the future.
Line by Line Meaning
To the voice
To the negative voices in your head that bring you down
To the liar in the mirror
To the negative self-talk that convinces you that you can't change
Saying you can't ever change
Telling you that you can never become a better version of yourself
To the guilt that's sittin' on your shoulder
To the feeling of shame and regret that you can't seem to shake
Always keeping you wrapped in chains
Holding you back from moving on and being your best self
To the past that you can't undo
To the events and actions that have already happened and can't be changed
To the pain that your walking through
To the emotional or physical pain that you're currently experiencing
To the small and the big mistakes
To the errors in judgment both minor and major
This is what love wants to say
Love wants you to let go of your past and move on
[Chorus]
The repetition of the following lyrics throughout the song
Say goodbye say goodbye
Letting go of the things that hold you back
To the one that used to be
To your old self, the person you used to be
Everyday is a brand new mercy
Every day is a new opportunity to start afresh and work towards becoming a better you
(Hello, hello)
A hopeful greeting that symbolizes a new beginning
This is where it starts now
Everything begins now, not in the past
Everything can turn around
Anything and everything can change for the better
In a moment, here's your moment
This is your chance to make a positive change
You can say goodbye
It's within your power to let go of the things that hold you back
There is grace that you can't imagine
There is forgiveness and mercy beyond your comprehension
There is love that you can't out run
Love is always available to you, no matter how far you try to run from it
There is peace you can hold onto
Peace is possible, even in the midst of chaos and turmoil
When your world is comin' undone
When everything around you seems to be falling apart
You don't have to give into the fear
You don't have to let fear control you
Don't have to let your story stop here
Your story doesn't have to end in defeat or despair
When the hand tries to pull you back
When something tries to keep you from moving forward
You don't have to go back
You don't have to regress and return to a negative state of mind
To everything that breaks you down
To the things that hurt you, physically or emotionally
It doesn't have to define you now
Your past pain and hurt doesn't have to dictate your present and future self
Jesus can take it all away
Jesus can heal your pain and set you free from your past
Your not the one you used to be
You are capable of real change and growth
Where you say goodbye
The turning point where you decide to let go and move forward
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC.
Written by: JEFF PARDO, SAM MIZELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@huldah8484
I wanna say goodbye to laziness, addiction, fear and hello to a whole new me. So help me Lord🙏
@godiviambaulu7941
Amen 🙏
@makenzygirouard3135
That is my favorite song to listen to when I I’m not happy
@damianrutty1815
2020 anyone still listening ❤️✨✨🙌🏻🙌🏻
@patriciasmith9039
Can’t believe I just found her music, and several other Christian artists. Thank the Lord for the awesome talent He’s given so many Christian singers. Their music is so inspiring and uplifting. We have to keep ourselves built up in the faith.
@morozana17
This song has really inspiring lyrics. God has given us forgiveness through Jesus Christ, so say goodbye to your old life and follow Jesus.God bless you all.
@zariahvela8517
I've just been listening to her songs , bc I love to randomly listen to gospel music but all her songs I've listened to right now they have touched me spiritually and just made me stronger
@jvlucre6631
Qq9
@MrPanosdal
amazing song...well done....love you Mandisa
@lucyluu1196
How have I only just heard this song? This means so much to me the lyrics and everything! Wow! Absolutely amazing!!!!