You've seen him in the Tyl… Read Full Bio ↴From the Terrell Carter official website:
You've seen him in the Tyler Perry Productions of "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" the movie," Madea's Class Reunion", and" Meet the Browns". He stands 6-foot-5-inches, natural good looks, with a rare gift. Although his background may be common to many, Terrell Carter has more to his credit than most have within the life of an entire career.
After being noticed while singing at church in Detroit, gospel great Fred Hammond auditioned him and seamlessly Carter found himself working with Hammond and later with a host of others. His classic sensibility and non-formulaic approach can be attributed to years of absorbing the irreplaceable soul in the music passed down to him through the gospel music of the church he attended with his mother and grandmother in his native home town on the east side of Buffalo, New York. His drive and confidence were born from his desire to rise above the despair that surrounded him on the often-unkind streets of east Buffalo.
The strength and unwavering integrity of his musical talent are obvious in his strong vocal performances that are touched by classic R&B rhythms and laced with the truth often apparent in Gospel soul. His vocal range, skilled writing and vocal arranging capabilities, as well as, his passion for the creation of rich soul music have won not only praises from some of the heaviest names in the industry, but also, many request from some of today's living legends. Terrell's voice has accompanied artists such as India Arie, Faith Evans, Patti Labelle, Christina Agulara, and famed drummer Sheila E.. He has toured with Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, and Yolanda Adams - some of todays most widely acclaimed gospel singers. Obvious influences are Karen clark sheard, (Terrell's absolute favorite singer) and Donny Hathaway.
Terrell has Three independent Albums to his credit that can be purchased on Terrellmusic.com, The story, Terrell Terrell and Carlela's Reign which features a soul touching duo with India Arie.
Remember the face,the voice,the body, and the talent.. the unforgettable Terrell Carter.
Better Than
Terrell Carter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where the men were no good
I watched my uncle's run trains on young thanks
And just that quick their innocence was taken
My daddy was a rolling stone
And he always made sure we never had a home
I watched my momma cry and try to hide her frustration
Adding years to her face till the angels came and took her away
The opening lines of Terrell Carter's song 'Better Than' are powerful and paint the picture of a difficult upbringing. The singer talks about how the men in his family were no good and watched his uncles 'run trains' on young girls, which implies that they participated in gang rape. This sudden and shocking exposure to sex and violence must have had an impact on the singer, as he describes how those young girls' innocence was taken away in an instant.
The second half of the first verse focuses on the singer's father, who is portrayed as a 'rolling stone' who could never provide a home for his family. The singer's mother suffers from the constant moving and instability, and the singer describes how he watched her cry and hide her frustration as she aged before her time. The last line of the verse, 'He never once considered that she needs love', highlights the pain and neglect that the singer's mother experienced, and how the father's shortcomings affected the family as a whole.
Overall, the lyrics of 'Better Than' are raw and emotional, shining a light on the darkness of some people's childhoods. It's a song about perseverance and rising above the challenges that life throws our way, as the singer declares himself 'better than that' and refuses to be defined by his upbringing.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew up in a family
My upbringing was shaped by the people around me
where the men were no good
Most of the men in my family were not upstanding individuals
I watched my uncle's run trains on young thanks
I saw my uncles engage in sexual activities with minors
And just that quick their innocence was taken
The young individuals lost their innocence in a very quick, violent way
My daddy was a rolling stone
My father was never around and was always moving from place to place
And he always made sure we never had a home
He never provided a stable home for us
I watched my momma cry and try to hide her frustration
I witnessed my mother struggle and attempt to conceal her emotions
Adding years to her face till the angels came and took her away
The stress and difficulties of life visibly impacted my mother until she passed away
(He never once) considered that she needs love
My father did not prioritize showing love and affection towards my mother despite her obvious need for it
Writer(s): Damon Terrell Carter, Alonzo
Contributed by Lucy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.