Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland to Michael and Evelyn Braxton. The youngest of the Braxton's six children, Tamar started singing as a toddler. Evelyn, herself an opera singer, recognized her children's talents when one day, Tamar, sang "Can you please get me some toilet paper!" Evelyn quickly started training her girls, and eventually enrolled them in singing lessons. The Braxton children also would eventually enter in their church choir, where Michael Braxton was pastor.
Brought up in a strict Christian household, secular music was initially frowned upon, causing the children to sneak and sing along to Soul Train when the parents were out of the house. They would soon start harmonizing, forming a girl group. Tamar says of this period "I was always the highest note." Her voice was in sharp contrast to her older sister's husky contralto. One day, A Toni was pumping gas at a local gas station while singing along, when she caught the attention of a producer. He heard her sing and was amazed, and decided to pull the five sisters into a group; he envisioned a female version of the Jackson 5. They released a single on Atlantic Records in 1990 as "The Braxtons," and caught the attention of producers Antonio "L.A" Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. The two had just started a then fledgling record label, LaFace, with Arista Records. The guys passed on the group, as they had just signed a new trio named TLC, but they were looking for a solo female artist and loved Toni's voice. So the girls talked it over, and Toni decided to embark on her now famous solo career.
The sisters worked as backup singers for Toni (you can see them in Toni's video Seven Whole Days). Eventually, the girls (minus Toni) would release an album for Atlantic, to which the group was still signed, in 1996 entitled So Many Ways.
In 1999, Tamar first explored her gospel side on T.D Jakes Love Songs album. Later, Tamar would meet up with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, a rapper/producer (also famous for bringing Blu Cantrell to national attention) based in Atlanta, Georgia. She recorded her solo debut album, Ridiculous, so named because of the many different musical styles on the album. The album would be retooled and released by Dreamworks as Tamar on January 18, 2000. It was lead in by the first single for the album, "Get None" with guest appearances by Jermaine Dupri and rapper Amil and featured the second single, If You Don't Wanna Love Me. The singles failed to gain significant radio & video airplay and ultimately the album didn't sell well, and Tamar was dropped from her contract,it is also worth noting that tamar proved that she could do the whistle register on money can't buy you love on tamar's deut album.
Tamar sang for the Kingdom Come soundtrack, with Toni Braxton appearing in the movie as Juanita Slocumb. Currently she sang background for Toni's album More Than A Woman (released 2002),and 2005 album Libra and resides in Atlanta. She also negotiated a new contract with Tommy Mottola's Casablanca Records, and is working to record a new album. She also sang backup in her sister Toni's famous headlining show in Las Vegas entitled, "Toni Braxton: Revealed" but has been replaced by singer Sparkle. She is currently working on a new album and her own record company with fiance, producer Vincent Herbert.
Thank You Lord
Tamar Braxton Lyrics
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I've been used, and lied to
I thought it'd never change
Till I got on my knees and I prayed
Crying please take this pain away
Oh lord I need you in my life
You came and made everything right
I'm so blessed
And all I can say is thank you lord
Thank you lord, thank you, thank you lord
Temptation, sadness – I've been through it all
I've lost friends, thinking they would always be here when I call
So I get on my knees and I pray
Crying please take this pain away
Cause lord I need you in my life
You came and you made everything right
And I say where would I be if I didn't have you by my side
I'm so blessed
And all I can say is thank you for all of your blessings
You're keeping me safe in your arms
Even when I know I don't deserve it
You're always there to catch me when I fall
Where would I be if I didn't have you by my side
I'm so blessed
Where would I be if I didn't have you by my side
I'm so blessed
And all I can say is (Thank you Lord) thank you Lord
(Thank you Lord) Thank you
(Thank you Lord)
I just wanna say thank you
Thank you lord
The lyrics to Tamar Braxton's song "Thank You Lord" reflect a sense of gratitude and appreciation for God's presence in the singer's life. The song begins with Tamar acknowledging the pain and heartbreak that she has experienced in the past from being used and lied to by people she trusted. She recognizes that she was once resigned to this life and did not believe it would change until she found salvation in prayer. She prayed for the pain to be taken away and for God to come into her life, and in response, she felt that everything changed for the better.
The chorus of "Thank You Lord" consists of Tamar contemplating where she would be in life if she did not have God by her side. She recognizes that she is blessed and grateful for his grace and mercy, especially through times of temptation and sadness. She has lost friends along the way but has found comfort in turning to prayer and finding solace in God's presence.
The final verse repeats the sentiment of the chorus, emphasizing Tamar's gratefulness to God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon her. She feels safe and protected in his arms, even when she knows she is undeserving. The song ends with Tamar's heartfelt thanks to God for being there to catch her when she falls.
Line by Line Meaning
I gave my heart many times before
I trusted and loved others many times in the past.
I've been used, and lied to
They took advantage of me and told me false information.
I thought it'd never change
I believed the cycle of betrayal would never end.
Till I got on my knees and I prayed
Until I humbled myself and asked for help.
Crying please take this pain away
Begging for relief from the hurt and trauma.
Oh lord I need you in my life
Acknowledgement of a higher power and that they cannot do it alone.
You came and made everything right
The belief that their faith brought good things into their life.
And I think where would I be if I didn't have you by my side
Expressing gratitude for the presence of a higher power in their life.
I'm so blessed
Feeling grateful and fortunate for the positive things in their life.
And all I can say is thank you lord
Expressing gratitude and thanks to a higher power for their blessings.
Temptation, sadness – I've been through it all
Overcoming personal struggles such as temptation and intense emotions.
I've lost friends, thinking they would always be here when I call
Losing close companions under certain pretenses.
Cause lord I need you in my life
Further emphasis on the presence of a higher power in their life.
You're keeping me safe in your arms
Belief in the protection and comfort offered by a higher power.
Even when I know I don't deserve it
Acknowledgment of personal mistakes and faults.
You're always there to catch me when I fall
Gratefulness for the support and guidance of a higher power in their life journey.
And all I can say is (Thank you Lord) thank you Lord
Repeated appreciation for the assistance and blessings provided by a higher power.
(Thank you Lord) Thank you
Focusing all positive emotions on thanking their higher power.
(Thank you Lord)
Continued gratefulness and thanks to their higher power.
I just wanna say thank you
Expressing fervent gratitude and appreciation.
Thank you lord
Final thanks to their higher power.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: TAMAR BRAXTON, TIYON MACK, TRAMAINE WINFREY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind