The group is well known for its highly diverse musical style (able to play anything from traditional jazz stylings to mainstream R&B and rock-based music to funk grooves and even Latin and Jamaican-based rhythms) and also its captivating live performances.
Discovered and originally signed to Perspective Records by music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in 1989 (after being heard at a performance at a club in downtown Minneapolis called First Avenue), their debut album was entitled Meant To Be Mint (released in 1991).
Despite their musical versatility the band attempted to attract New Jack Swing listeners with their dance cut "Are You Free", but it wasn't successful (the song hit #55 on the R&B charts). However, they did enjoy major success with the stunning ballad "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)".
The song stayed on the charts for 34 weeks, hitting the R&B top 5 (#3), and the Pop Top 10 (#6). Forever In Your Eyes was also successful (#7 R&B). Two years later they released their 2nd platinum album, From The Mint Factory (1993). They enjoyed success with the #2 hit "U Send Me Swingin'", while "Someone To Love" and "So Fine" hit the R&B Top 30. 1996 saw the release of "Definition of a Band". The album hit the R&B Top 20. Some successful singles on this album are: "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" (#2 R&B), and "You Don't Have To Hurt No More" (#10 R&B). Two years later, The Collection: 1991-1998, a greatest hits compilation, was issued.
After Perspective Records/A&M folded, the group signed with Elektra Records in 1999, releasing their fourth full-length album, Life's Aquarium (#7 R&B). It's main single, If You Love Me, hit the R&B Top 5.
As the 21st Century came around, Mint Condition was the only R&B/Funk band signed to a Major Record Label.
After a six year hiatus, the group resurfaced as a quintet due to former member and keyboard player Keri Lewis leaving the group to produce for other artists, such as his one-time wife, singer Toni Braxton .
During the same year, they released Living The Luxury Brown on their independent label Caged Bird Records. The album hit #1 on the Independent Album Charts. Live From The 9:30 Club, a performance of a concert at the 9:30 club in Washington DC, was issued in 2006.
Gratitude
Mint Condition Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You grew this boy, into a man…showed him how to walk the righteous path…
Wanna thank you for, all you’ve done…for the neighborhoods you fought to keep as one.
Through the thankless times, when no one cared…you were always a rock standing right there..there..but I…
Can’t express my love…
Such an honor to be your son…
It was so hard and so much fun…
There’s not a thing that I could say or do to repay you…
Always wondered why, you ran that pole… from the neighbors house, to our stove…
You were stealing gas, to keep up warm…thank God we made it through the storm..
I asked Mom why you had six names, and when the lights went out they had to change..
You worked us hard no time for play, lookin’ back now, thank you for each day
Can’t express my love…
Such an honor to be your son…
It was so hard and so much fun…
There’s not a thing that I could say or do to repay you…
HOOK
I gonna…keep thankin’ ya
I wanna…keep thankin’ ya
Lovin’ ya…keep thankin’ ya
I’m gonna…keep thankin’ ya
The song Gratitude by Mint Condition is an emotional tribute from a son to his mother. He expresses his gratitude towards his mother, who has been his good luck charm and has played a critical role in his life – from nurturing him into a man to showing him the righteous path. The son acknowledges his mother's dedication and sacrifice by fighting to keep their neighborhood united during thankless times. The song also unveils some of the tough times the family had gone through, where the mother had to steal gas to keep them warm during a storm or where she had to work hard to provide for the family. However, these hardships, in hindsight, shaped the son's perspective on life, and he thanks his mother for each day.
The lyrics of the song provide insights into the mother-son relationship and the bond they share. The son acknowledges how grateful he is for the love and support his mother provided throughout his life. He also acknowledges the things he could not fully comprehend earlier, such as why his mother had six names or why she would run a pole from the neighbor's house to their stove. These gestures of the mother, though small, were significant and have made an impact on the son's life. Ultimately, the son realizes that he can never repay his mother for everything she has done and wishes to keep thanking her.
Line by Line Meaning
So beautiful, yes you are…all my life you’ve been, my good luck charm…
The persona expresses gratefulness for the presence of a beautiful person who has always brought good fortune to their life.
You grew this boy, into a man…showed him how to walk the righteous path…
The persona acknowledges the mentorship of their benefactor, who helped them become the person they are today by teaching them how to make good choices.
Wanna thank you for, all you’ve done…for the neighborhoods you fought to keep as one.
The persona expresses gratitude towards their benefactor for their efforts in preserving communities and neighborhoods.
Through the thankless times, when no one cared…you were always a rock standing right there..there..but I…
The persona acknowledges their benefactor's unwavering support throughout difficult times when no one else cared or provided support.
Can’t express my love…
The persona acknowledges that words can't fully express the depth of love and gratitude they feel towards their benefactor.
Such an honor to be your son…
The persona recognizes it as a privilege and honor to be their benefactor's child.
It was so hard and so much fun…
The persona acknowledges the challenges and joys that they have experienced with their benefactor.
There’s not a thing that I could say or do to repay you…
The persona acknowledges that there is nothing they can do to fully repay their benefactor for all that they have done.
Always wondered why, you ran that pole… from the neighbors house, to our stove…
The persona reminisces about their benefactor's resourcefulness, exemplified by running a pole from the neighbor's house to their stove, an act of improvisation that allowed them to have heat.
You were stealing gas, to keep up warm…thank God we made it through the storm..
The persona reminisces about their benefactor's devotion and enduring whatever it takes to keep them warm during trying times.
I asked Mom why you had six names, and when the lights went out they had to change..
The persona recalls their benefactor's resourcefulness and adaptability, as evidenced by having six names and changing them when the lights went out, a symbol of their resilience.
You worked us hard no time for play, lookin’ back now, thank you for each day
The persona acknowledges the intense work ethic of their benefactor, yet they still feel grateful for each day spent together and the lessons they have learned.
HOOK
The chorus reiterates the persona's determination to keep thanking their benefactor for all they have done, expressing their love for them.
Contributed by Alexis J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.