Norful, a minister who is also the son of an African Methodist Episcopal Church minister, was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas but grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma, deeply involved in his father's church. He was interested in music from a very young age, reportedly picking out one-finger piano melodies from the age of two. His parents supported him with music lessons, and, unusually for his background, allowed him to experiment with and listen to the current R&B and soul music of the day as well as gospel music. Norful graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as a History major and spent four years teaching high school. In 1998 he felt "called" to the ministry, and pursued a Masters of Divinity degree at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Upon graduation and ordination, he took a position as assistant pastor at a church in Chicago. He participated in an album release by the Thompson Community Choir, a well-known gospel group, and contributed a song as well as solo vocals. He was then offered the opportunity to make a solo album for EMI Gospel, I Need You Now. The album was a slow starter but eventually went gold, spending two years in the upper reaches of the Billboard Gospel Charts.
He was nominated for and won a Grammy in 2005 for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. He is also signed to EMI-CMG Publishing and his own Norful Music Publishing as a songwriter. He performed on June 6, 2005, for President George W. Bush in a concert honoring Black Music Month.
Norful's music is best described as a fusion between gospel, 70's soul and contemporary R&B; the influences of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and other male soul/R&B vocalists of the 70's and 80's is clear.
Norful is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
On October 3rd 2006, Norful released his 3rd album, Life Changing.
Celebrate
Smokie Norful Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It feels like Sunday morning in here
Whenever I think of all that He's done for me
How He came from heaven and He gave me the victory
He's been so good to me, I just can't thank Him enough
When I think of His goodness, I just wanna to praise Him
Everytime I stumble, He's there to break my fall
He's made a way for me, opened doors I couldn't see
When I think of His goodness, I just wanna praise Him
(He's been a constant help)
He's been a constant help
(That's been a constant friend)
A constant friend, is He
(He's got my every step)
He got every one of my footsteps
(And yes He'll step right in)
If you don't believe all that He's done for me
Just look at my praise and you'll be able to see
Don't know how you can sit there, I gotta express myself
When I think of His goodness, I gotta praise Him
Now, this is your final chance to give my God some glory
You better stand on your feet and tell the world your story
Clap your hands, do your dance and chime, Hallelujah
When you think of His goodness, then you'll praise Him
(He's been a constant help)
He's been a constant help
(That's been a constant friend)
Took every breath in Him in a time of need
(He's got my every step)
He's got every one of my footsteps
(And yes, He steps right in)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I wonder, I wonder, is there anybody here
Who'll help me give God praise
I will bless the Lord, at all times
His praises shall continually be in my mouth
Ah, come on and praise Him
(Praise Him)
Praise Him
(Praise Him)
Praise Him
(Praise Him)
It makes me wanna
(Makes me wanna)
When I think of His goodness
(Praise Him)
And all that He's done
(Praise Him)
How He brought me out
(Praise Him)
Oh, It makes me wanna
(Makes me wanna)
Praise Him for His goodness
(Praise Him)
Praise Him for His [Incomprehensible]
(Praise Him)
Praise Him in the sanctuary
(Praise Him)
All day long
(Makes me wanna)
Don't know about you
(I want to praise Him)
But this is what I wanna do
(I want to praise Him)
I wanna praise Him
(I want to praise Him)
Oh, it makes me wanna
(Makes me wanna)
I want to praise Him
(I want to praise Him)
For all that he's done for me
(I want to praise Him)
For all that he's brought me through
(I want to praise Him)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Makes me wanna)
I've got to praise Him
(I've got to praise Him)
I've gotta praise Him
(I've got to praise Him)
I've gotta praise Him
(I've got to praise Him)
It makes me wanna
(Makes me wanna)
I've got to praise Him
(I've got to praise Him)
Come rising up inside
(I've got to praise Him)
To the glory down of the same
(I've got to praise him)
Listen, listen
(Makes me wanna)
Tell me, what do you know about Jesus?
(He's alright)
I said, what do you know about Jesus?
(He's alright)
What do you know about Jesus?
(He's alright)
Tell me what do you know about that Man?
(He's alright)
You see, I don't know what you've come to do
(I don't know what you've come to do)
Oh, I don't know what you've come to do
(I don't know what you've come to do)
Oh, I don't know what you've come to do
(I don't know what you've come to do)
Oh, I don't know what you've come to do
(I don't know what you've come to do)
Oh, praise Him
The song "Celebrate" by Smokie Norful is a joyful expression of gratitude for all that God has done. The song creates a feeling of a Sunday morning church service, where everyone is feeling the spirit and wanting to praise God. Norful sings about how God has given him victory and been a constant help and friend. He talks about the doors that God has opened for him, and how God has been there to catch him whenever he stumbles or falls.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the beauty of God's goodness and the desire to express it through praise. Norful sings about how even if he had ten thousand tongues, he still couldn't tell of all that God has done. He tells the listener that if they don't believe what God has done, they should look at his praise and see for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, everybody
Let's all join in and celebrate
It feels like Sunday morning in here
The atmosphere is joyous and uplifting
Whenever I think of all that He's done for me
Reflecting on all the blessings received from God
How He came from heaven and He gave me the victory
Acknowledging God's power and grace in overcoming challenges
He's been so good to me, I just can't thank Him enough
Feeling grateful for God's kindness and generosity
When I think of His goodness, I just wanna to praise Him
Feeling inspired to express gratitude and worship
If I had ten thousand tongues, I still couldn't tell it all
Feeling overwhelmed by God's greatness and want to praise Him endlessly
Every time I stumble, He's there to break my fall
Acknowledging God's support and guidance through tough times
He's made a way for me, opened doors I couldn't see
God's guidance and provision in life's journey
If you don't believe all that He's done for me
Challenging others to recognize God's work in one's life
Just look at my praise and you'll be able to see
Praising God's deeds by expressing gratitude
Don't know how you can sit there, I gotta express myself
Feeling compelled to worship and encourage others
Now, this is your final chance to give my God some glory
Encouraging others to join in praising and glorifying God
You better stand on your feet and tell the world your story
Encouraging believers to share their testimonies
Clap your hands, do your dance and chime, Hallelujah
Expressing joy and excitement in worshiping God
I wonder, I wonder, is there anybody here
Asking if anyone would like to join in praising God
Who'll help me give God praise
Inviting others to join in worshiping God
I will bless the Lord, at all times
Committing to always praise and worship God
His praises shall continually be in my mouth
Purposing to always glorify God with one's words
It makes me wanna
Feeling inspired to worship and express gratitude
And all that He's done
Reflecting on God's deeds and blessings
How He brought me out
Acknowledging God's help in overcoming challenges
I want to praise Him
Desiring to worship God for His goodness
For all that he's done for me
Expressing gratitude for the blessings received from God
For all that he's brought me through
Acknowledging God's help in overcoming challenges
I've got to praise Him
Feeling a strong desire to worship and celebrate God
Tell me, what do you know about Jesus?
Inviting others to reflect on their understanding of Jesus
He's alright
Expressing belief in Jesus' goodness and power
Oh, praise Him
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement in worshiping God
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WINSTON GODFREY RODNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind