1 Tenitra Michelle Williams (born July 23, 1980 in Rockford, Illinois) is a… Read Full Bio ↴1 Tenitra Michelle Williams (born July 23, 1980 in Rockford, Illinois) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. Her work has earned her several awards and accolades including a Grammy Award and star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with Destiny's Child, a solo MOBO Award, and solo nominations in the Stellar Awards and NAACP Theatre Awards. She has also been honored by the American Society of Culture Critics for her contributions to music and theater.

Williams rose to noteriety when she joined Destiny's Child, one of the most successful female groups of all time with whom she earned a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals" for single "Survivor".

Raised in a Christian family, Williams learned to sing in her church's choir. She later sang in a musical quartet called United Harmony alongside sister Cameron. After attending Auburn High School and being a part of the C.A.P.A (Creative And Performing Arts) program there, she pursued a degree in criminal justice at Illinois State University before leaving to pursue a career in music. Whilst touring as a backing vocalist for R&B star Monica, the opportunity arose for Williams to join Destiny's Child in 2000.

After the release and promotion of the grammy-nominated Destiny's Child album Survivor, Williams became the first member to release a solo studio album in 2002. Her debut, Heart To Yours , shot up to #1 on the Billboard Gospel Chart, where it spent a total of 46 weeks and also peaked within the top 20 of the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums before being listed at #6 on the year-end Gospel Albums chart. Also a critical success, the album won Williams an award for "Best Gospel Act" at the 2003 MOBO Awards. Billboard ranked Williams as the #5 Top Gospel Artist of 2002. Williams then made her acting debut in the Broadway hit, Aida, replacing R&B singer Toni Braxton; making her the first and only member of Destiny's Child to appear on Broadway.

Following the success of her debut, Michelle released her sophomore album, entitled Do You Know, in 2004 which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, #2 on the Billboard Gospel Chart and was well received by critics who lent particular praise to her songwriting ability.

In 2006, she made her television debut in the UPN comedy Half & Half, where she played the role of Naomi. In 2007, Williams returned to theatre, starring in the first US national tour of The Colour Purple alongside LaToya London and Stephanie St. James, which earned her a nomination for "Best Lead Female Actress" at the 18th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards.

Williams released her third (and first commercial pop) album, Unexpected in 2008. The highly-anticipated and critically-acclaimed pop debut features singles; "We Break The Dawn" which peaked at #47 in the UK, #38 in Hungary and #4 on the US Dance chart; "The Greatest", which topped the US Billboard Dance chart; and "Hello Heartbreak". In 2009, "The Greatest" was listed at #39 on the decade-end, 2000-2009 Billboard Dance chart, one place behind "Lose My Breath" which Williams released as a member of Destiny's Child.

In 2009 she starred in the hit West-End production of Chicago, making her the first African-American to be cast in the lead role. The following year she replaced Ashlee Simpson in the Broadway production of the legendary musical before beginning an engagement at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. She further pursued acting in 2011, originating the lead role of Lena Summer in David E. Talbert's What My Husband Doesn't Know, which was released on DVD the same year.

In 2011, Williams released a collaboration with dance artist Ultra Naté titled "Waiting on You" which became her third top 20 entry on the US Billboard Dance chart where it peaked at #11.

In 2012, it was announced Williams had signed with Light Records/eOne. In 2013, Williams joined the US national tour of three-time Tony Award-winning musical Fela! and reunited with Destiny's Child at the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show.

In 2013, it was announced that Williams will star in her own reality show titled My Sister's Keeper, produced by eOne, to coincide with the release of her fourth solo album.
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2 The actress Michelle Ingrid Williams (Marilyn Monroe ) features on the soundtrack of the film My Week with Marilyn singing It's a Wrap, I found a Dream, That Old Black Magic and a medley of 'When love goes wrong, Nothin' Goes Right' & 'Heat Wave'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Week_with_Marilyn#Music

Better Place
Michelle Williams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let me tell you I appreciate all the
Love and strength you've shown
I know it's hard to keep a smile on your face
And nobody could ever take their place
Every mother
Every sister, brother
Every child that's now gone
I know they're smiling looking

Down on your face in a better place
I hear them saying

Can't nobody hurt me
Can't nobody fade me no
Uh uh I'm resting in a better place
Can't nobody harm me
Can't nobody touch me
Nooo uh uh I'm resting in a better place

I keep standing in the trials of life even
If I stand alone
Through the times when I feel
I can't go on
I feel a hand pushing me up why'all
Michelle don't have no time for haters
This journey will be love
I'm in much better state of mind
And this is where I'll stay
A better place

Can't nobody hurt me
Can't nobody fade me no
Uh uh I'm resting in a better place
Can't nobody harm me
Can't nobody touch me
Nooo uh uh I'm resting in a better place

No more sorrow
I'm okay now
I miss you
I'm always in your heart

Can't nobody hurt me
Can't nobody fade me no
Uh uh I'm resting in a better place
Can't nobody harm me
Can't nobody touch me
Nooo uh uh I'm resting in a better place

Ooo ah ah ah
Gon ahead and say oooh
Ooh ooh
Gon ahead and say ooh

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh (no)
Uh uh uhuh uh uh uh uh uh

Overall Meaning

The song "Better Place" by Michelle Williams is all about finding comfort in a better place after the loss of loved ones. The song starts by showing gratitude for the love and support received from family, friends, and even strangers. The singer acknowledges that it's not easy to keep a smile in tough times, but she feels the presence of those who have gone to a better place watching over her. She draws strength from their memory and their love.

The chorus of the song expresses the idea that no one can hurt the singer anymore because she is now resting peacefully in a better place. The singer asserts that she can handle whatever life throws her way because she has the support of her loved ones who have passed away. She is no longer alone, and she is in a much better state of mind. The bridge of the song reinforces this message. It talks about how the singer will keep standing and fighting through the trials of life, even if she has to do it alone. She is confident that she can do it because she feels a hand pushing her from behind.

Overall, "Better Place" is a song about loss and grief, but it's also a song about finding hope and comfort in a better place. The singer finds peace in knowing that her loved ones are still with her, watching over her, and sending her strength. It's a message of resilience and strength during tough times.

Line by Line Meaning

Let me tell you I appreciate all the
I want to express my gratitude for all the kindness and support you've shown me

Love and strength you've shown
I am thankful for the love and support you have given me during difficult times

I know it's hard to keep a smile on your face
I understand that it's not easy to remain positive and cheerful when things are tough

And nobody could ever take their place
No one can replace the people we have lost in our lives

Every mother
All the loving and nurturing moms out there

Every sister, brother
All the siblings who have shared a special bond

Every child that's now gone
All the children who have passed away and left us with cherished memories

I know they're smiling looking
I believe that our loved ones who have passed away are watching over us and sending us their love

Down on your face in a better place
They are now in a better place, free from all sorrows and pain

Can't nobody hurt me
No one can harm me anymore

Can't nobody fade me no
I am now strong enough to withstand anything life throws my way

Uh uh I'm resting in a better place
I am at peace and happy where I am

Can't nobody harm me
No one can hurt me anymore

Can't nobody touch me
I am in a safe and secure place

Nooo uh uh I'm resting in a better place
I am in a peaceful and happy state of mind

I keep standing in the trials of life even
I will keep on going even when life is tough

If I stand alone
Even if no one stands with me

Through the times when I feel
During moments of doubt and fear

I can't go on
When I feel like giving up

I feel a hand pushing me up why'all
I feel the love and support of those who care about me, pushing me to keep going

Michelle don't have no time for haters
I don't have time for negativity and hate in my life

This journey will be love
I will approach life with a positive and loving spirit

I'm in much better state of mind
I am in a healthier and happier mental state

And this is where I'll stay
I will continue to prioritize my well-being and happiness

No more sorrow
I am free from sadness and pain

I'm okay now
I am doing well and am at peace

I miss you
I still love and miss those who are no longer with us

I'm always in your heart
They will always hold a special place in my heart and memories

Ooo ah ah ah
Expressing emotion through sound

Gon ahead and say oooh
Encouraging others to join in expressing themselves

Ooh ooh
More expressions of emotion

Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh (no)
More sounds, used to emphasize that nobody can bring the artist down

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAMON ELLIOTT, DAMON W. ELLIOTT, KAYLA PARKER, MICHELE WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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