Stephanie Mills first came to fame as "the little girl with the big voice" as the star of the hit Broadway play, The Wiz, an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic book, The Wizard Of Oz. She had many R&B hits such as "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love," "I Feel Good All Over," "(You're Puttin') A Rush On Me," "Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel)" and "Home" along with one certified million selling single, "Never Knew Love Like This Before." In addition, she also had five gold albums: Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin', Sweet Sensation, Stephanie, If I Were Your Woman and Home.
Mills honed her rich vocals singing gospel music at Brooklyn's Cornerstone Baptist Church as a small child. At age 9, she began appearing in the Broadway play Maggie Flynn. She was presented with first prize after winning "The Amateur Hour" talent contest six weeks straight at New York's famed Apollo Theater when she was nine. That success led to her being chosen as the opening act for The Isley Brothers, eventually becoming good friends with lead singer Ronald Isley. Many years later, Isley would manage and later marry singer/songwriter Angela Winbush, who co-wrote one of her number one R&B hits. Mills' début album, Movin' In The Right Direction was recorded for ABC Records in 1974. A year later, she won the role of Dorothy in The Wiz. Her rendition of the beautiful ballad "Home" was a showstopper, mesmerizing audiences nightly for a number of years. The original cast recording of The Wiz was produced by Jerry Wexler and issued by Atlantic Records in spring 1975. Curiously, when The Wiz was made into a full length feature film by Motown Records' film division and Universal Pictures, Diana Ross played the role of Dorothy instead of Mills. The film ended up being a major flop.
Singer Jermaine Jackson referred Mills to Motown head Berry Gordy, who signed her to the label. Her Motown debut was For the First Time, written and produced by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, being issued in October 1976. For the First Time is a sweet affair with Mills convincingly covering Bacharach/David standards, most of which were originally recorded by Dionne Warwick. In 1978, she signed to 20th Century Records and was teamed with the hit production duo of James Mtume — later leader of Mtume, who had a gold single with "Juicy Fruit" — and Reggie Lucas. Her first LP for the label, Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin', went gold, going to number 12 R&B and number 22 pop on Billboard's charts in summer 1979 and spawned the singles, "Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'" and "You Can Get Over." Her next LP, Sweet Sensation (#3 R&B, #16 Pop, spring 1980) yielded "Sweet Sensation," "Never Knew Love Like This Before," and the radio-aired LP track, "Try My Love." Around this time, she briefly married former Soul Train dancer Jeffrey Daniels of the group Shalamar. Next came the LP titled Stephanie in spring 1981, which also was a huge hit, peaking at #3 R&B and #30 Pop. The album included notable songs such as "Two Hearts" — a midtempo duet with Teddy Pendergrass — "Night Games" and the radio-aired LP cut, "Don't Stop Doin' What Cha Do."
In 1981, Mills switched to Neil Bogart's Casablanca Records. Her LPs for the label included Tantalizingly Hot, Merciless and I've Got The Cure. During 1983, she had her own NBC-TV daytime talk show and reprised on role in a Broadway revival of The Wiz. She also signed with MCA Records, where she released her Stephanie Mills album.
The first single from the Stephanie Mills album was "Stand Back," in late 1985, which also included the passionate ballad "I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love." "I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love" was initially written by Rene Moore and Angela Winbush — best known as the hit singing duo Rene & Angela — as a gospel song and originally was recorded by Alton McClain and Destiny on their self-titled 1978 Polydor LP. The original version is available on Polygram's Power of Love: Best of Soul Essentials Ballads. Because of its massive radio play as an album track, Mills' version of "I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love, — produced by Philly Soul keyboardist Ron Kersey — was reissued as an A side holding the #1 R&B spot for two weeks in spring 1986. Its follow-up, "Rising Desire" reached #11 R&B in summer 1986.
Her next LP's title cut was the Clay McMurray/Gloria Jones/Pam Sawyer song, "If I Were Your Woman," originally a 1971 #1 R&B, #9 Pop smash for Gladys Knight and the Pips. Philly-based producer Nick Martinelli gave Mills her second #1 R&B hit with "I Feel Good All Over," written by husband and wife songwriting duo, Gabriel Hardeman and Annette Hardeman. The song held the #1 R&B spot for three weeks in spring 1987. Originally submitted to Mills' fellow MCA labelmate Patti Labelle by the Hardemans, the track was included on Mills' LP If I Were Your Woman, issued June 1987 and peaked at #30 Pop in summer 1987. Paul Laurence produced and co-wrote with Timmy Allen the chugging '"(You're Putting) a Rush On Me" giving the singer her third #1 R&B hit in fall 1987. The single made it to #85 Pop and was followed by "Secret Lady," which landed at #7 R&B in late 1987. Her covers of "If I Were Your Woman" and "Where Is The Love" followed. All were included on her If I Were Your Woman album, which peaked at #1 R&B, #30 Pop in summer 1987. Following these hits, Mills contacted Ronald Isley about working with singer/songwriter/producer Angela Winbush who had hits as half of Rene and Angela and was forging a hit-filled career as a recording artist and producer for the group Body among others. The collaboration between Mills and Winbush resulted in another #1 R&B single, "Something In The Way You Make Me Feel," in summer 1989.
Having starred for five years in the smash Broadway show The Wiz and recorded the song "Home for the play's 1975 original cast soundtrack album, she wanted to record the song again as a posthumous tribute to the play's producer, Ken Harper, and the song's composer, Charlie Smalls. On her new version of "Home," Take 6 sung the background vocals. The song went to #1 R&B in late 1989 and was followed by "Comfort Of A Man" and "Real Love." The Home LP ended up peaking at #5 R&B, #82 Pop in summer 1989. She then recorded a charting single with J.T. Taylor titled "Heart To Heart" in late 1991. Her final MCA album, Something Real included the hit "All Day All Night" and "Never Do Wrong." Following this album, she recorded a gospel album, Personal Inspirations, for Interscope Records and recorded several tracks at Philadelphia International Records with Bunny Sigler among others in the late '90s.
After a hiatus from recording Mills returned with sixteenth album, "Born For This" in 2004. It includes the singles "Can't Let Him Go" and "Healing Time." Mills is currently working on her seventeenth album titled "Breathless." The lead single chosen is a song called, "Yesterday."
I Had A Talk With God
Stephanie Mills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
by Stephanie Mills
Written by James Cleveland
Personal Inspirations
I had a talk with God last night
I cried Oh Lord please make things alright
He said He'd all my battles fight
I had a talk with God
Please call Him to guide me right
Let me find peace and a better life
He said He'll make everything alright
I had a heart to heart talk with God last night
I cried Oh Lord my way is dark
I need Your light down in my heart
He said I'm God all by myself
If you trust me you don't need no one else
I said Thank God for now I'm free
Thank you for giving me victory whenever I need Him
He's so good to me
I had a heart to heart talk with God last night
A-men
Stephanie Mills's song "I Had A Talk With God" is a deeply introspective and soulful hymn that explores themes of faith, redemption, and personal growth. The song is a tribute to Mills's own spiritual journey and the moments of enlightenment and revelation she experienced during a period of personal struggle. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and desperation as Mills cries out to God for guidance and support, seeking a way out of the darkness and into the light.
The opening lines of the song, "I had a talk with God last night / I cried Oh Lord please make things alright / He said He'd all my battles fight," set the tone for the rest of the piece by establishing a sense of intimacy and personal connection between the singer and her creator. The subsequent lines build on this foundation, with Mills asking God to guide her in the right direction and help her find peace and a better life. In response, God promises to take care of everything and to be there for Mills whenever she needs him.
As the song progresses, Mills becomes more emotional, expressing her innermost fears and doubts and begging God to help her overcome them. She admits that her way is dark and that she needs God's light to guide her, and in response, God reassures her that he is always there for her and that if she trusts him, she doesn't need anyone else. Ultimately, the song ends on a note of triumph and gratitude, with Mills thanking God for his love and his mercy and acknowledging that he has set her free.
Overall, "I Had A Talk With God" is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the universal human experience of seeking guidance and comfort in times of struggle. Its message of faith and hope will resonate with anyone who has ever faced adversity and found strength in their spiritual beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
I had a talk with God last night
I prayed and spoke to God last night
I cried Oh Lord please make things alright
I expressed my desperation to God and asked him to fix my situation
He said He'd all my battles fight
God reassured me that he will take care of all my struggles
Please call Him to guide me right
I asked for God's guidance in my life
Let me find peace and a better life
I asked for peace and a better future through God's help
He said He'll make everything alright
God promised to make everything alright for me
I had a heart to heart talk with God last night
I had a sincere and honest conversation with God
I cried Oh Lord my way is dark
I expressed to God that I am going through a difficult time
I need Your light down in my heart
I asked for God's guidance and influence in my life
He said I'm God all by myself
God reminded me that He is supreme and powerful
If you trust me you don't need no one else
God encouraged me to have faith in Him and not rely on others
I said Thank God for now I'm free
I showed gratitude to God for His help and felt free from my burdens
Thank you for giving me victory whenever I need Him
I thanked God for always being there for me when I need His help
He's so good to me
I acknowledged God's goodness to me and my life
A-men
I affirmed my belief in God's power and authority.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES CLEVELAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brej Howell
There's no better conversation, than the one I have with God.
b butler
I also grew up with Dr.Ray as my pastor and I remember Her singing when she was a young girl in church. I remember her parents and I remember they were so proud of her and we all were so proud of her sucess. I remember my young son when we took him to see her in play the Wiz was so excited. Pastor was right she has a one of the greatest voices ever. It took me back this am . Thanks
Milton Muniz
I didn't know Stephane sings gospel songs. The first one I've heard from her is "sweet sensation" on the radio in Brazil. She's very nice. Great to know that she's also a Christian.
SILK THE SHOCKER SILK THE SHOCKER
@Welcome's House EXPLAIN?
Welcome's House
A Willis depart because of the dollar sign
A Willis
Milton Muniz that’s where she started as most black singers.
JOE POWERS
THIS SONG HELPED ME GET THROUGH SOME RUFF MOMENTS IN LIFE. GOD BEST STEPHANIE FOR THIS GREAT WORK..
K Swisher
as if God had me stumble on this song as confirmation to our talk last night... prayer is almost to the exact...I love you Jesus.. TRUST!!!
Anita Johnson
Be still and know that God is God
Gloria King
Worship music and gospel never gets old, no matter how old it is.... I LOVE THIS SONG, FROM THE FIRST DAY I HEARD IT, AND EVEN STILL 15 YEARS LATER.... HALLELUJAH LORD!!! HALLELUJAH LORD!!!! YOUR WORTHY OF ALL THE PRAISE ALL THE HONOR AND I AM SO BLESSED TO BE IN THE FAMILY OF THE BELIEVERS OF THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD!!!! IN JESUS NAME!!!!