Flack was the first solo artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year on two consecutive years: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" won at the 1973 Grammys as did "Killing Me Softly with His Song" at the 1974 Grammys.
Flack performs in the areas of jazz, soul, and folk, and is best known for singles such as "Killing Me Softly with His Song", which won the 1974 Grammy for Record of the Year, and "Where Is the Love", which was one of her many duets with Donny Hathaway.
Flack began her professional career recording for Atlantic Records without much success, until one of her earliest recordings, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1969), was included on the soundtrack to Clint Eastwood's directorial debut Play Misty for Me; it became a number-one hit in 1972.
I Told Jesus
Roberta Flack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I told Jesus be alright if you changed, changed my name
I told Jesus be alright be alright be alright
I told Jesus be alright if you change my name
If you change my name
Mmmmm mmmmm mmmmm
Then he told me, he said the world will turn away from you child if I change your name
I told Jesus be alright be alright be alright
I told Jesus be alright if you change my name
Mmmmm mmmmm mmmmm
Then he told me, he said your father won't know you child, if I change your name
Yes he told me, said your mother won't know you child, child if I change your name
But I told Jesus, I said it would be alright, be alright, be alright
If my father turns away now, and my mother turn away now
Yes my brother, my baby sister, turn away, turn away
I told Jesus be alright, if you change my name, change my name, change my name
If he change ..... my ...... name
The lyrics of Roberta Flack's song "I Told Jesus" conveys a message of trust and surrender to God. The singer tells Jesus that it would be alright if he changes her name, which is symbolic of a new identity or a new beginning. She repeats the phrase "be alright" as a reassurance to herself and a validation of her faith. However, Jesus responds with a warning that changing her name could result in rejection and alienation from her loved ones. He tells her that her father and mother won't recognize her anymore, and even her brother and sister might turn away from her. Nevertheless, the singer remains steadfast in her conviction that it's better to please God than please the world. She tells Jesus that it would be alright even if everybody else rejects her, as long as she has Him.
Line by Line Meaning
I told Jesus be alright if you change my name
I had a conversation with Jesus and asked Him if it would be okay if He changed my name.
I told Jesus be alright if you changed, changed my name
I reassured Jesus that everything would be okay even if He changed my name.
I told Jesus be alright be alright be alright
I told Jesus multiple times that everything would be alright.
If you change my name
I only gave Jesus permission to change my name.
Then he told me, he said the world will turn away from you child if I change your name
Jesus warned me that the world may reject me if my name gets changed.
Yes he told me, said the world will turn away from you child, if I change your name
Jesus was specific about the reason why the world would turn away if He changed my name.
Then he told me, he said your father won't know you child, if I change your name
Jesus also warned me that even my own father may not recognize me if my name gets changed.
Yes he told me, said your mother won't know you child, child if I change your name
Jesus added that my own mother may not recognize me as her child if my name gets changed.
But I told Jesus, I said it would be alright, be alright, be alright
Despite the warnings, I reassured Jesus that everything would still be okay if He changed my name.
If my father turns away now, and my mother turn away now
I acknowledged that my own family may reject me if my name gets changed.
Yes my brother, my baby sister, turn away, turn away
I even mentioned my siblings, both brother and sister, may also turn away.
I told Jesus be alright, if you change my name, change my name, change my name
Ultimately, I reiterated my permission for Jesus to change my name and assured Him everything would be alright.
If he change ..... my ...... name
I emphasized the importance of my name specifically and my permission for Jesus to change it.
Contributed by Bella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jesse Coggins
on I Can See Clearly Now
NOW AND THEN.
Barbara Petula Cottoy Williams
on Don't Make Me Wait to Long
My child hood real music. DISCO!!!!!