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.
Something Bigger
Mary Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus: 2x]
Gotta do it, gotta do it big
Big, ba-ba-bi-big
Gotta do it, gotta do it, gotta do it big
Big, ba-ba-bi-big
[Verse 1:]
Everybody doin' that, can't do it again
Why you mad at me cause I wanna do it big
Don't think I'm unplugged and I'm disconnected
Cause I didn't do what ya'll expected
I ain't never thought small, cause my brain's colossal
When you gon' find out, you can do it if you want to
Pull up the New Test, click John 14
I can do great things cause of God in me
If God's in me, why I gotta think small
Now you know that don't make no sense at all
I'm in the image of the greatest, why I gotta defend
Why I wanna do it, wanna do it, wanna do it big
[Chorus]
[Verse 2:]
Can't keep it in a box cause it just don't fit
My God, he's bigger than just music
I can take it to the church where my people go
I can take it to the people that just don't know
I can take it to the people that feel real low
To the poor, to the rich, to the CEO
(Yeah) He knows who you are
Who you're not, what you got, when it's all gon' stop
(Yeah) He can make you larger
Change your life and take you farther
It ain't not limit cause this world is his
So you got to do it, got to do it, got to do it big
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
Nobody plans to be a loser
Nobody tries for second place
Nothing's wrong with second place, but
Why stop at the ceiling when God showed me the sky
Why get on the airplane if I'm too scared to fly
Why am I goin' to the battle if I don't wanna fight
I'm goin' for the gold
Got to be incredible, oh oh
[Repeat 4x]
Got to do it, got to do it big, big
I got to, I got to, got to do it big
[Chorus]
Gotta do, gotta do, gotta do
Gotta do, gotta do
Gotta do it, gotta do it big
Big, ba-ba-bi-big-ba-big
I got to, I got to, got to do it big
Mary Mary's "Something Bigger" is about daring to dream big and realizing one's potential. In the chorus, the lyrics emphasize the need to do things big, with "big" being repeated multiple times for emphasis. The song encourages listeners to strive for greatness and not settle for mediocrity just because others want them to do so. The verses, especially the second one, suggest that there is a bigger purpose in life and that it is important to use one's talents and blessings to make a difference in the world.
Mary Mary also mentions God in the song, which is fitting since they are a gospel duo. She quotes John 14, pointing out that God has given humans the ability to achieve greatness. The bridge emphasizes the idea that settling for less when one could do better is a choice. The singer encourages listeners to strive for their goals, even when things get tough, by alluding to going for the gold and being incredible. In general, the message is one of hope and motivation, urging listeners to not give up on their goals no matter how big they may be.
Line by Line Meaning
My block in here!
I am ready to take on the world from my current situation!
Gotta do it, gotta do it big
I am determined to succeed in a big way and leave a lasting impact!
Big, ba-ba-bi-big
Don't think I'm unplugged and I'm disconnected
I am not out of touch, I am not ignoring the expectation; I am ready to go a different route!
Cause I didn't do what ya'll expected
People expect me to follow the crowd but I am willing to take a different path!
When you gon' find out, you can do it if you want to
I know that anyone can achieve greatness if they set their mind to it!
I can do great things cause of God in me
My faith in God enables me to achieve greatness and do big things!
If God's in me, why I gotta think small
If I have the power of the almighty in me, why should I limit my potential?
Now you know that don't make no sense at all
It's illogical to have a limitless power within and not use it to achieve greatness!
Can't keep it in a box cause it just don't fit
My skills and abilities are too great to be confined and limited!
My God, he's bigger than just music
My faith in God extends beyond my music; He is the force behind my every success!
He knows who you are, who you're not, what you got, when it's all gon' stop
God is aware of who you are, your limitations, your potentials and when your life will change!
He can make you larger, change your life and take you farther
God possesses the capability of making you greater, changing your life, and taking you beyond your own expectations!
Why stop at the ceiling when God showed me the sky
Why limit yourself when God has shown you the vastness of possibilities ahead to soar higher?
Why get on the airplane if I'm too scared to fly
Why bother starting a journey if you do not have the courage to face your fears?
I'm goin' for the gold, got to be incredible
I'm determined to make it to the top and become incredibly successful!
Got to do it, got to do it big
I have to do it big because that's the only way to make an impact!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind