Erica Atkins-Campbell and Trecina Atkins-Campbell were born in Inglewood,
California. The Campbell (formerly Atkins) sisters grew up as part of a large family of nine children in Inglewood, California. Their parents are Thomasina (An evangelist and choir director at the Evangelistic Church of God in Christ) and Eddie (a youth minister). Because of their proximity in age, the two singers grew up closer to one another than to any of their seven siblings. The sisters quickly entered the world of church choirs, traveling gospel shows, and some television productions. All nine Atkins children were on the Bobby Jones Gospel show on BET.
The sisters had their sights set on making music a career and enrolled at El Camino College to study voice. There they ran up against the divide between academic music studies and the popular musical world. "We had to study classical and sing arias, which was fine," Erica told the Times, "but the teachers would tell us if we sang anything else it would damage our instrument." The sisters tours with the 1995 Michael Matthews traveling gospel show Mama I'm Sorry and Sneaky. Each sister subsequently toured as a backup singer for a variety of R&B acts including Brandy.
A meeting with producer Warryn Campbell led to their song publishing deal with the giant EMI music conglomerate and a series of songs that landed on the soundtracks. They wrote "Dance" and performed it with Robin S. for the soundtrack to the 1998 film Dr. Dolittle; "Let Go, Let God" for The Prince of Egypt Inspirational, one of three soundtrack albums for the film; and songs of theirs were recorded by Yolanda Adams and 702. At the same time, Mary Mary as a musical entity took shape.
The sisters' profile in the gospel industry was raised when their songs "Time To Change" and "Yeah" were recorded by Yolanda Adams on the Mountain High... Valley Low CD. The duo was subsequently signed to Columbia Records/C2 Records and decided to perform under the name Mary Mary, honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. They were first gospel act to record for the industry giant Columbia Records since Tramaine Hawkins in the mid-1990s. Their first single, "Shackles (Praise You)" became a crossover hit, being popular with gospel, R&B, and pop audiences. It was a Top 10 R&B and Top 40 pop hit, and peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became the first gospel song in five years to crack the R&B top ten and gained wide exposure on the MTV video cable channel. The album was a huge success because it offered a younger, hipper version of gospel that audiences could relate to.
Their first album, Thankful (Mary Mary Album) in May 2000, which would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, and a second single, "I Sings". Peaking at #1 on the Gospel album chart and at #59 of the overall Top 200 chart, Thankful was certified Platinum for sales of 1 million copies in the USA. Both singles were also hits in the UK and Europe, and to this day remain popular with Christian youths in the US, Latin America, and Europe.
With their second album Incredible, the duo was able to maintain their success. The record, soon after its release, went to #1 on the Gospel chart, and was able to enter the Top 20 of the Top 200 album chart. Incredible was later certified Gold for 500,000 copies sold in the United States. The album's singles In The Morning and I Try became relatively large hits within the contemporary gospel nation.
After taking time off to have children, their third album Mary Mary appeared. It became the duo's first album to enter the Top 10 on Billboard and was later on certified Gold for sales of 500,000 copies. The first single "Heaven" containing a sample from seventies soul trio the Honey Cone's "Want Ads". Heaven made history and broke chart records as it had an unprecedented 9 week run as the #1 record on Billboard's Gospel Radio chart. The second single, "Yesterday", also became a hit, especially on the Adult R&B charts where it peaked at #10. On the R&B/Hip Hop chart, the song became their second biggest hit since "Shackles" in 2000, reaching the #53 spot so far.
On October 10, 2006`, the recording group released their most recent album inspired by Christmas songs and is called A Mary Mary Christmas.
Love You That Much
Mary Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you tell me to go I'm gonna tell you I will,
Cause I love you that much
If you tell me to stay and be still I will,
Cause I love you that much
Tell me what to say even if I'm afraid I will,
Cause I love you that much
It doesn't matter, whatever, whenever I will, cause I love you that much
Nowadays everybody wants to be in control
Trying to be leader when they've never even really followed
Got no information and no direction and way too much pride
When it ain't that hard to just ask the lord to be your guide
[Chorus]
One love and one heart, one god who gives it away
Most folks they don't wanna believe that today
But I'll take your love and I'll give my love all to you completely cause
I trust in you and I believe that you know what's best for
[Chorus]
I will always trust in the fact that
You got me in the palm of your hand
Use me how you will
No matter how I feel
Cause there's no way that
I could know you put the sun in the sky
I could know you hung the moon for the night
Well that wouldn't be right so I'm saying
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Mary Mary's song Love You That Much celebrate a deep commitment to faith and trust in God. The song is a tribute to the kind of love that is selfless, sacrificial, and all-encompassing. The chorus repeatedly sings, "If you tell me to go, I'm gonna tell you I will / Cause I love you that much," stressing that the love described in the song is not just a feeling, but a decision to follow God's will regardless of what it may entail. The lyrics acknowledge that people often struggle with wanting to be in control and making their own decisions without seeking guidance, but the solution is to surrender and trust in God's wisdom and leadership.
The song's message is particularly powerful when considered within the context of Mary Mary's discography, which often features upbeat, empowering songs about love, relationships, and personal agency. However, Love You That Much takes a different tone in its emphasis on humility, submission, and complete surrender to God's authority. The repetition of the chorus drives home the point that the love God offers is worth any sacrifice or surrender on the part of the believer.
Overall, Love You That Much is a reminder of the importance of a strong faith and the kind of devotion that requires total trust.
Line by Line Meaning
If you tell me to go I'm gonna tell you I will
I trust you completely and will follow your directions without hesitation.
Cause I love you that much
My love for you is so strong that I will do anything for you.
If you tell me to stay and be still I will
Even if it's difficult, I will listen to you and stay where I am.
Tell me what to say even if I'm afraid I will
I will speak up on your behalf, even if it's scary or uncomfortable.
Cause I love you that much
I will always act out of love for you and put your needs above my own.
It doesn't matter, whatever, whenever I will, cause I love you that much
No matter what the situation, I will always be there for you because of how much I love you.
Nowadays everybody wants to be in control
People are too focused on being leaders and don't take the time to listen or learn from others.
Trying to be leader when they've never even really followed
People want to lead without understanding what it means to be a follower.
Got no information and no direction and way too much pride
They don't have the knowledge or guidance to lead and their pride gets in the way of them seeking help.
When it ain't that hard to just ask the lord to be your guide
Instead of relying on their own abilities, they should seek guidance from a higher power.
One love and one heart, one god who gives it away
We are all connected through a common love and faith in a higher power.
Most folks they don't wanna believe that today
Many people today don't believe in the power of love and faith.
But I'll take your love and I'll give my love all to you completely cause
I will always love and trust in you, because of the love you give to me.
I trust in you and I believe that you know what's best for
I have faith in you and believe that you have a plan for me.
I will always trust in the fact that
I will never doubt or question the love and guidance you give me.
You got me in the palm of your hand
I am completely under your care and protection.
Use me how you will
I am at your disposal and will do whatever you ask of me.
No matter how I feel
Even if I am scared, unsure, or uncomfortable, I will still follow your plan.
Cause there's no way that
Because it is impossible to know the vastness of your power and wisdom.
I could know you put the sun in the sky
It is impossible to comprehend the full extent of your creation.
I could know you hung the moon for the night
It is impossible to understand the intricate details and beauty of our world.
Well that wouldn't be right so I'm saying
It would be foolish to try to understand everything, so I choose to have faith in you.
Cause I love you that much
My unwavering love for you drives me to trust and follow your every move.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES BEREAL, CHARLES W BEREAL, ERICA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, ERICA MONIQUE ATKINS-CAMPBELL, KENNETH BEREAL, KENNETH M. BEREAL, TRECINA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, WARRYN CAMPBELL
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