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.
One Minute
Mary Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know it now that I was such a fool
To turn my back on you
When you had given me everything
I let you down, I know that's true
Now I've come to realize that there
There are no happy days because
You're not here, I need to know ifThere's a chance for me again, oh
[Chorus:]
All I need is one minute of your time
Five seconds of it may change your mind
Ten seconds to make you see
Fifteen to say lord I'm sorry
For all the things I've done
I'll take twenty more to say you're the one
Nine to think it through
I'll take the one to say I love you
Late at night when I was all alone
You held me in your arms
I strayed away only to find
There was no place to hide
Lord please hear me when I say
I'll give my life to you
Whatever I've gotta do
Show me lord and I will live for you
[Chorus]
I'm not willing to, to give up on you
Knowing that you always stood right by me
Until you forgive me my world won't turnSo if you hear me lord
I'm saying that I'm sorry
Said I'm saying that I'm sorry, oh
[Chorus: x2]
The song One Minute by Mary Mary is an emotional plea from the perspective of someone who has come to regret their past mistakes and is seeking forgiveness and a chance to make amends. The lyrics express regret and sorrow over turning their back on the person who gave them everything and the realization that without that person, there are no happy days. The singer pleads for just a minute of the person's time to apologize, to make them see, and to express their love. The chorus breaks down the time needed to make things right, with the final line being an admission of love.
The song's message is relatable and powerful, as it touches on the theme of regret and the desire to right past wrongs, which is a universal feeling experienced by many people. The lyrics are straightforward and honest without being preachy or judgmental. The song's structure utilizes repetition in the chorus, which adds emphasis to the message and makes it more memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh,
Expressing realization or surprise
I know it now that I was such a fool
Acknowledging that they made a mistake and feeling regretful for it
To turn my back on you
Rejecting or neglecting their relationship with the person
When you had given me everything
Thanking the person for everything they have provided
I let you down, I know that's true
Acknowledging that they have disappointed the person
Now I've come to realize that there
Recognizing the negative impact of their actions and changing their perspective
There are no happy days because
Feeling unhappy and incomplete without the person
You're not here, I need to know if
Desperately seeking answers and reassurance about the relationship
There's a chance for me again, oh
Hoping for another opportunity to make it right
[Chorus:]
Repeating a message that they want the person to hear
All I need is one minute of your time
Asking for a short moment of attention
Five seconds of it may change your mind
Believing that a brief conversation could lead to forgiveness and reconciliation
Ten seconds to make you see
Wanting the person to understand their perspective and feelings
Fifteen to say lord I'm sorry
Apologizing humbly and sincerely
For all the things I've done
Admitting to their mistakes and taking responsibility
I'll take twenty more to say you're the one
Expressing love and commitment to the person
Nine to think it through
Reflecting on the situation and making a decision
I'll take the one to say I love you
Ending with a declaration of love and devotion
Late at night when I was all alone
Reflecting on a past moment of vulnerability
You held me in your arms
Remembering the comfort and support the person provided
I strayed away only to find
Admitting that they made a mistake and suffered the consequences
There was no place to hide
Feeling lost and trapped without the person's guidance
Lord please hear me when I say
Calling out to a higher power for guidance and forgiveness
I'll give my life to you
Committing to a life of faith and devotion
Whatever I've gotta do
Willing to make sacrifices and changes in their life
Show me lord and I will live for you
Asking for a sign and guidance from the divine
[Chorus]
Repeating a message that they want the person to hear and understand
I'm not willing to, to give up on you
Expressing determination to salvage the relationship
Knowing that you always stood right by me
Remembering the person's past support and loyalty
Until you forgive me my world won't turn
Feeling incomplete and stuck without the person's forgiveness
So if you hear me lord
Seeking guidance and support from a higher power
I'm saying that I'm sorry
Apologizing and expressing remorse
Said I'm saying that I'm sorry, oh
Repeating and emphasizing their apology
[Chorus: x2]
Reiterating the message that they want the person to hear and understand
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, PINK GARDENIA MUSIC
Written by: ERICA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, ERICA MONIQUE ATKINS-CAMPBELL, TRECINA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, WARRYN CAMPBELL, ANDREA SIMMONS, TYE-V TURMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind