The group sings in a contemporary style, integrating R&B and jazz influences into their devotional songs and has 10 Grammy wins, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two NAACP Image Award nominations. They won Grammy Awards in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1998, and 2003 and have collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Don Henley, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Joe Sample, Quincy Jones, Marcus Miller and Gordon Goodwin.
In 1980, Claude McKnight formed an a cappella quartet, The Gentlemen's Estate Quartet, at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, a Seventh-Day Adventist College, where he was a freshman. He auditioned fellow students for the hobby group. The Gentlemen were rehearsing in a campus bathroom (later said to be in Peterson Hall), getting ready for a performance, when Mark Kibble walked by and heard them singing. He joined the harmonizing, adding a fifth part, and ended up singing with them onstage that very night.[1] Mark later invited Mervyn Warren to join the group. The group performed under the moniker "Alliance".
The group performed in local churches and on campus over the next years, with members changing due to college's inevitable comings and goings. In 1985, the lower half of the group (bass, baritone, and second tenor) left upon graduating. At that time, Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, and David Thomas joined.
The group was signed to Warner Brothers in 1987, and quickly changed its name to "Take 6" after a name search revealed that "Alliance" was already being used. Their eponymous debut album, released in 1988, won them two Grammy Awards and resulted in top ten appearances on both the Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts. Take 6's swinging, harmony-rich gospel sound attracted a flurry of attention, and the group went on to record or appear with a number of luminaries, including Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder.
In 1991, after the release of their second album, So Much 2 Say, Mervyn Warren left the group to pursue a career as a producer. Joey Kibble, Mark's younger brother, was invited to round out the vocal lineup. The group added instrumentation to their purely a cappella sound beginning with the record He Is Christmas; Join The Band and Brothers continued their streak of success, and Take 6 amassed a total of seven Grammys and eight Dove awards, as well as topping the Downbeat Magazine's Reader's and Critic's poll for seven years' consecutively.
Take 6's 1998 release, So Cool, brought the group back to its a cappella origins.
In 2006 the group launched Take 6 Records and the 2006 release Feels Good was released on that label.
The group currently lists Nashville, Tennessee as its home.[2] All members grew up Seventh-Day Adventist.[
Let The Words
Take 6 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let the words that I speak be seasoned with Your love and grace
May the things, oh Lord, that I choose to say
Bring glory, not shame to Your name each day
Let the words of my mouth bring You praise
(Let them bring You praise)
In "Let The Words," Take 6 expresses their desire for their words to bring glory to God. The lyrics specifically mention the importance of speaking with love and grace, as well as making choices that bring honor to God's name. Essentially, the song is a prayer for help in using their words in a way that is pleasing to God. This sentiment is a common theme in Christian music and reflects the belief that our words have the power to bring life or death, build up or tear down, and ultimately influence our relationship with God.
The song's message is simple yet powerful, and it's easy to see why it's resonated with so many listeners. The vocal harmonies are also impressive, as is typical of Take 6's style. The group is known for their intricate vocal arrangements and ability to blend different genres seamlessly.
Line by Line Meaning
Let the words of my mouth bring You praise
May the words that I speak reflect well on You, so that You receive the praise You deserve.
Let the words that I speak be seasoned with Your love and grace
May everything I say show love and grace, just like You do.
May the things, oh Lord, that I choose to say
Please guide me in what I say, God.
Bring glory, not shame to Your name each day
May everything I say point to Your glory and not detract from it.
Let the words of my mouth bring You praise
May everything I say lift You up and bring You more glory and honor.
(Let them bring You praise)
May the words I speak continually glorify You.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GAIL HAMILTON, GAIL LORESS HAMILTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Demetrius Richmond
Used to play this song incessantly as a pubescent tweenager. This entire album changed my life!
Lakisha Dent
I needed this song today ❣️ thank you Father!
Arthur Jankins
You got to give it to them, this is so beautiful!
Elizabeth Howard
Thanks for making this beautiful album available.
Drew Shirley
This song ends with the greatest chord I've ever heard.
Dominicanos en Canada
right, i keep telling this to everyone in the house... truly amazing.
Dee Rich
Man on man. It's just so musically overwhelming. I feel that chord in my soul.
Lamia Allen
Yesss I Agree, LOVE Take 6...💯🎯 Dear bro U "have" 2 hear Pastor David Jeremiah's theme song from his radio broadcast... It's one of the most beautiful 5 part harmony songs U will Ever hear... No music, just Phenomenal🎯💯... Blessings🙏🏾
Leonard Bardon
same chord that jacob collier used for Moon River at the end
Toni Moren
Such as short song yet meaningful!
Something we have to sing everyday!