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.
Seattle
Mary Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Searching for words to say
So many doubts
Calling out your name
But Lord its me again
Ready for something new
Please rest upon ma heart
Like the morning dew
[Chorus]
Holy Spirit rain like Seattle
Overtake my life
Like the blood
Like California shake
What's not like you
I just want a heart like yours
Just like a painter has
Some color and a brush
Upon the canvas soon
A masterpiece becomes
Please take all that I am
And all that I can be
Transform
Renew restore
Create a better me
[Chorus]
I just want a heart like yours
Open up my heart
Fill me with your love
Every single part
Make me what you're made of
Take me from the start
Hold my hand in yours
Let the rain pour
[Chorus]
I just want a heart like yours
Mary Mary's song "Seattle" is a soulful plea to God for spiritual transformation. The song opens with the singer laying down at night, trying to find the right words to pray to God, as they are burdened with doubts and uncertainties. The singer asks God to rest upon their heart, like the morning dew, seeking divine guidance for something new. Then, the chorus demonstrates the singer's desire to have the Holy Spirit come into their life and overtake it, like the way rain overtakes Seattle or how blood rushes through one's veins. The singer wants to be transformed, renewed, and restored by the Holy Spirit - to create a better version of themselves.
The second verse of the song compares the act of creating a masterpiece to God's transformative power. Just as a painter uses colors and brushes to make a masterpiece, Mary Mary pleads for God to take all that they are and all that they can be to make them a better person. The singer wants God to transform them, inside and out, and create a new and better version of themselves. The final chorus of the song reiterates the desire for a heart like God's: to be filled with love, to be made in God's image, to be held in God's hand while the rain pours down.
Overall, "Seattle" is a powerful and moving song that asks for the Holy Spirit to transform the singer into a better person. It speaks to the human desire for redemption and renewal by a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
I lay me down tonight
As I prepare to rest, I reflect on the day and what I want to say to the Lord.
Searching for words to say
I am struggling to find the appropriate language to express my thoughts to God.
So many doubts
I am feeling uncertain and questioning my faith and decisions.
Calling out your name
I am reaching out to God for guidance and support.
But Lord its me again
Despite my doubts and uncertainties, I am persistently coming to God and asking for a renewal of spirit.
Ready for something new
I am seeking a positive change in my life and relationship with God.
Please rest upon ma heart
I am asking God to provide me with a sense of calmness and peace in my heart and mind.
Like the morning dew
I hope that God's presence will offer me a fresh start and a new beginning, like the way morning dew replenishes nature.
[Chorus] Holy Spirit rain like Seattle
Like Seattle's frequent rainfall, I am asking the Holy Spirit to shower me with grace and mercy.
Overtake my life
I am requesting that the Holy Spirit take full control of my life.
Like the blood
The blood of Christ is a powerful symbol, and I am seeking that same power and cleansing of my soul.
Like California shake
California is notoriously prone to earthquakes, which shows how unstable life can be. I am asking the Holy Spirit to provide stability and grounding to my life.
What's not like you
I am acknowledging that nothing is as great or as good as God, and that all other things will eventually fall short.
I just want a heart like yours
Above all, I am asking God to transform my heart and make me more like Him.
Just like a painter has
I am comparing my life to a painting that needs to be worked on and refined.
Some color and a brush
Just as a painter uses tools to create their masterpiece, I am asking God to use his tools to refine me.
Upon the canvas soon
Eventually, my life will be a reflection of God and how He has transformed me.
A masterpiece becomes
Like a painting becomes a masterpiece, I am becoming a masterpiece through God's work in me.
Please take all that I am
I am offering all of myself to God to transform, and not holding anything back.
And all that I can be
I am also offering my potential to God and allowing Him to shape my life to its fullest potential.
Transform
I am asking God to make drastic changes in my life.
Renew restore
I am asking not only for change but for a complete and total renewal of my life.
Create a better me
I am asking God to transform me into a better version of myself.
[Chorus]
Reiterating my desire for the Holy Spirit to guide and transform me.
Open up my heart
I am asking God to help me become more open and receptive to His love and guidance.
Fill me with your love
I am asking God to flood my life with love and to give me the ability to love others as He does.
Every single part
I am asking for God to transform every aspect of my life, not just some areas.
Make me what you're made of
Going beyond simply transforming me, I am asking to be made in God's image and likeness.
Take me from the start
I am accepting that I am starting from a lowly place and asking God to guide me upward.
Hold my hand in yours
I am asking God to walk with me through this transformative journey.
Let the rain pour
Once again, I am comparing the transformative power of God to rainfall, and asking for that power to rain down on me.
[Chorus]
Reiterating my desire for the Holy Spirit to guide and transform me, and acknowledging that this is the ultimate goal of my life.
I just want a heart like yours
I am emphasizing once again that above all else, I desire to be like God and have a heart like His.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK KNOPFLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind