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.
Sitting With Me
Mary Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think she's special, someone needs to tell her
That she ain't no better than me
They say she's such a geek, that ole' Jesus freak
Every time she opens up her mouth to speak
She's always talkin' 'bout being saved and holy
That was me, Miss Unpopular
Never asked to be part of the in-crowd
'Cause my life screamed Jesus out loud
Yeah I've been, left out, looked over
Just for carrying the cross on my shoulder
It's okay with me, if I'm the last one who's picked for the team
I'll sit on the sideline, as long as He's sitting with me
They said he wasn't ordinary 'cause he wanted to be married
Before he let himself, be with someone else
They even said he was unnatural
What they didn't see, didn't see that he
He was much more man than they'd ever be
'Cause he was a man, of integrity
Just like me he was Mr. Unpopular
Never asked to be part of the in-crowd
Everyone knew who he was
'Cause his life screamed Jesus out loud
Yeah I've been, left out, looked over
Just for carrying the cross on my shoulder
It's okay with me, if I'm the last one who's picked for the team
I'll sit on the sideline, as long as He's sitting with me
I know someday I'll shine, I'll wait till it's my time
Lord I won't move, I'll sit with you
Yeah I've been, left out, looked over
Just for carrying the cross on my shoulder
It's okay with me, if I'm the last one who's picked for the team
I'll sit on the sideline, as long as He's sitting with me
Yeah I've been, left out, looked over
Just for carrying the cross on my shoulder
It's okay with me, It's okay with me
I'll sit on the sideline, as long as He's sitting with me
The song Sitting With Me by Mary Mary is about standing firm in one's belief in God despite being judged, looked down upon, and excluded by others. The lyrics talk about the experience of being labeled as a "holy roller" or a "Jesus freak" and being ostracized by others who don't understand or don't share the same convictions. The singer acknowledges that she's been looked over and even avoided for carrying the cross on her shoulder, but she's alright with that as long as God is by her side. She expresses her determination to stay true to her faith, even if it means sitting on the sidelines and being left out of the "in-crowd."
The second verse of the song talks about another person who was also wrongly judged and misunderstood. This person is an example of someone who was criticized for being different and going against societal norms, but who actually embodies qualities of strength and virtue that others lack. The lyrics emphasize that just like the singer, this person was also "Mr. Unpopular" - someone who was never part of the "in-crowd." However, their life "screamed Jesus out loud" and that's what truly mattered.
Overall, the song Sitting With Me is a powerful anthem about refusing to compromise one's faith and values, even when it's difficult and unpopular. The lyrics encourage listeners to stay true to themselves and to stand up for what they believe in, even if it means being looked over or excluded by others.
Line by Line Meaning
They say there she goes, that ole' holy roller
People criticize and judge me for being a devout Christian
Think she's special, someone needs to tell her
They believe that I think I am above others because of my religious beliefs and need to be put in my place
That she ain't no better than me
I am not superior to anyone else just because of my faith
They say she's such a geek, that ole' Jesus freak
Others mock me because I am passionate about my faith and talk about it often
Every time she opens up her mouth to speak
I am not afraid to share my beliefs and values with others
She's always talkin' 'bout being saved and holy
I am proud of my salvation and strive to live a holy life
That was me, Miss Unpopular
I am used to being disliked or excluded because of my beliefs
Never asked to be part of the in-crowd
I am content with being true to my values even if it means not fitting in with popular culture
Everyone knew who I was
My faith and its impact on my life is evident to those around me
'Cause my life screamed Jesus out loud
My actions and words reflect the love of Christ that is in me
Yeah I've been, left out, looked over
I have experienced rejection and exclusion because of my faith
Just for carrying the cross on my shoulder
My commitment to my faith and living according to its principles has caused me to face opposition and ridicule
It's okay with me, if I'm the last one who's picked for the team
I am willing to accept being excluded or overlooked in order to stay true to my beliefs
I'll sit on the sideline, as long as He's sitting with me
Even if I am not accepted by others, I am comforted knowing that God is always with me
They said he wasn't ordinary 'cause he wanted to be married
People criticized a man for wanting to get married and start a family
Before he let himself, be with someone else
He was committed to finding the right person and honoring them through marriage
They even said he was unnatural
Some people saw his choice to wait for marriage as unconventional and strange
What they didn't see, didn't see that he
They did not understand that his choice was motivated by integrity and a desire to follow God's plan for relationships
He was much more man than they'd ever be
Despite criticism, he remained committed to his values, making him stronger and set him apart from those who did not share his convictions
'Cause he was a man, of integrity
He lived his life with honesty and honor, always seeking to do what was right
Just like me he was Mr. Unpopular
He also faced opposition and disapproval because of his commitment to virtuous living
I know someday I'll shine, I'll wait till it's my time
I trust that my dedication to my faith will be recognized and appreciated in due time
Lord I won't move, I'll sit with you
I am resolved to remain faithful and close to God, regardless of the challenges I may face
It's okay with me, It's okay with me
I am content and at peace with the sacrifices I have made for my faith
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERICA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, GERALD HADDON, TAMMI HADDON, TRECINA ATKINS-CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Itstmera
I feel like many Christians can relate to this, we live in an age where sin is becoming more and more accepted by society and if you decided to live for Christ; folks automatically assume you're acting high and mighty or "holier than thou!" Never mind who disagrees,always live for Jesus!
@barbaraellamaytyler7561
T'Mera F ✨👏👏👏👏👏💖💕👍
@cokofansmusicforgod5164
Amen!!!!!
@isaiahriley5122
💯
JESUS CHRIST OVER EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE
@Seekmyfaceolechildren
Yes indeed if he was hated you will be hated if he was persecuted you will be persecuted. All praises to THE MOST HIGH Qam Yasharahla
@christinajones8806
Amen
@lovedovelexx953
I'm so glad they won a Grammy for this song ! It's so true . Purely Amazing . !
@thesoufia1
im a junior in highschool and it is very heard to no give into peer pressure. however i know that God is standing beside me all day. When people ask me why i dont drink smoke or have sex i tell them because thats not the person God told me to be. I listen to this song constantly every day to remind myself that no matter what people think God is always sitting with me!
@cokofansmusicforgod5164
This song is straight-up fire!!!!! I love how courageous Erica & Tina are as they sing it!!!!!!
@godschosen14
My cousin posted this song on my Facebook page and she said it reminded her of me. And indeed it did! This is my new favorite song! I'll sit on the sidelines as long as he's sitting with me!!