“This CD is about accepting and embracing each other’s differences, and many of the songs speak to those issues,” said Chanelle. “Our message is that God will bring you to a place of acceptance and love, and there is so much power and freedom in that,” concludes Chanelle. “Throughout our career we were always trying to please everyone, we wanted people to like us and accept what we were trying to do,” added Angel. “We have gone through so much and fought so hard to get to the place where we love who we are and know that God made us who we are. We are no longer trying to conform to someone else’s idea about who we should be. We believe that is reflected in the music on our new CD.”
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Trin-i-tee 5:7 is a contemporary gospel trio from New Orleans, Louisiana. The group was inspired by R&B girl groups such as Destiny's Child and TLC. They debuted in 1998 with a self-titled album. In 1997 the New Orleans-based gospel group comprised of high school students Angel Taylor, Chanelle Hayes, and Terri Brown, was brought to the attention of gospel label GospoCentric Records by their manager Kenneth Grant. Label owner Viki Mack Lataillade pictured them crossing over to urban market as her flagship artist Kirk Franklin had four years before. "A great deal of attention was put into their imaging because there's a fine line you have to walk with female talent with relation to church and secular audiences as well," Lataillade told Billboard magazine in 1998. "Nobody wants to think a female group is not clear about who they are and what they're singing about. They had to be attractive and trendy, but a class act as well." The label named the group Trin-i-tee 5:7 based on 1 John 5:7 biblical scripture that refers to the Trinity. The group's self titled debut project was produced in 1998 by R. Kelly and Kirk Franklin. With preorders of 100,000 copies and an aggressive urban marketing campaign, the project debuted at No. 3 on the gospel charts and eventually stepped up to the top slot. It also reached the R&B Top 20 charts and was eventually certified gold. The album created two gospel radio hits in "Mary Don't You Weep" and "God's Grace." The CD would go on to spend 7 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Album chart, over 30 weeks in the Top on Billboard's Contemporary Christian chart, and almost 50 weeks on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart. Terri Brown left the group in mid-1999 and was replaced before their second album, Spiritual Love, by the group's make up artist Adrian Anderson. In 2000 the group issued their second project, Spiritual Love which featured the big hits "Put Your Hands" and "My Body", which charted in the UK charts also. "Our videos and our music are really different from most of what's out in the music industry today," says Angel. "We want to convey hope and positiveness and that's really who we are. The more popular we become, the more attention will be focused on our personal lives. I think the best thing we can do is show the world what Christianity is all about through the way we live our own lives." The album featured collaborations with gospel artists such as Kirk Franklin, Tramaine Hawkins, Crystal Lewis, and Natalie Wilson (founder of the S.O.P Chorale). Unlike their first two CDs, The Kiss did not feature any production from R. Kelly, as the group had by necessity disassociated themselves from him after several controversies and scandals attached themselves to his name. By the time the group's The Kiss CD was issued in 2002, they were having issues with GospoCentric. The urban radio track "Holla" didn't get the urban radio push they felt the song merited. All their past singles at least made it to the lower reaches of the R&B charts. During that period Kenneth Grant left his post as manager, and the group sought to be released from the deal, but the company refused. Pop star Brandy's mother and manager, Sonja Norwood, took over management and brought the group to a higher level of respect by booking them on major non-gospel television shows. However, she eventually turned the management over to Beyonce's father and manager, Mathew Knowles.
Just Remember
Trin-i-tee 5:7 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooooh….aaahhh….remember…
1
First of all let me say
I ain't perfect in any way
But who are you to say to me
What I should do, who I should be?
Cause I know He's somewhere watching me
And you're gonna say whatever you wanna' say
Oh my God, I'm winnin' anyway
So much pressure I'm so far from perfect
But the one that I serve yeah, He's worth it
He's the one that I lean on
He's my one and true love
Who are you to be so high and mighty? (Who are you?)
You're no good without Him you're just like me
You and I we're the same, better remember
Just remember what Jesus did
Remember what Jesus did
Just remember what Jesus did
He sacrificed and gave His life
Just remember what Jesus did
Remember what Jesus did
Just remember what Jesus did
He sacrificed and gave His life for you
2
I remember when you told me
That His love could save anybody
But I wouldn't know by the way you treat me
And I wanna' show you the way He loves me
I can't understand why we try to pretend that we're not only human we're just men (ohhhh, yeah)
So much pressure I'm so far from perfect (yeah)
But the one that I serve yeah He's worth it (ooh hoo)
If you've never been to Calvary then you've got no business judging me (yeah)
Who are you to be so high and mighty? (Ooh hoo)
You're no good without Him you're just like me (like me)
Sometimes we forget but we need to take some time and remember
Just remember what Jesus did
Remember what Jesus did
Just remember what Jesus did
He sacrificed and gave His life
Just remember what Jesus did
Remember what Jesus did
Just remember what Jesus did
He sacrificed and gave His life for you
Bridge
So what more could you ask for
God's the only one who could make everything alright
He's my friend and my protector
When you feel like nothing ain't worth it
And you not deserving
God says don't you give up
He's here to heal the hurt
Remember
Remember
(2x's)
Just remember what Jesus did
Remember what Jesus did
Just remember what Jesus did
He sacrificed and gave His life
Just remember what Jesus did
Remember what Jesus did
Just remember what Jesus did
He sacrificed and gave His life for you
Remember
Remember
Remember
Remember
The song Just Remember by Trin-i-tee 5:7 is a powerful message about not judging others and remembering what Jesus did for them. The lyrics begin with a strong statement about not being perfect, but also not allowing anyone to dictate what one should do or be. The artist asserts that their faith in God sustains them and their detractors can say what they want, but they are winning. The pressure to be perfect is not lost on the artist, but they stress that their faith is worth living up to.
The second refrain addresses the hypocrisy of judgmental people who tout their faith, but do not practice what they preach. The artist highlights that even though they are not perfect, like everyone else, they are a faithful believer in God, who is their strength. As the song progresses into the chorus, the message transforms into a reminder of what Jesus sacrificed for all believers. The song encourages listeners to remember that Jesus gave his life for us and that it is important to reflect on this from time to time to put one's life in perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
First of all let me say
I want to make it clear that I'm not claiming to be perfect
I ain't perfect in any way
I am admitting that I have flaws and imperfections
But who are you to say to me
I don't feel like you have the right to judge or criticize me
What I should do, who I should be?
You don't have the authority to dictate my choices or personal identity
No one can stop me, nothing can block me
I am confident in my path and know that nothing can hinder my progress
Cause I know He's somewhere watching me
I believe that God is always present and looking out for me
And you're gonna say whatever you wanna' say
I anticipate that you will continue to criticize me, but I won't let it affect me
Oh my God, I'm winnin' anyway
Despite any negativity, I am still succeeding and thriving in my own way
So much pressure I'm so far from perfect
I feel overwhelmed and flawed, but I know that my faith in God will guide me
But the one that I serve yeah, He's worth it
God is worth any challenges, sacrifices, or difficulties I may face
He's the one that I lean on
I trust in God for support, guidance, and comfort
He's my one and true love
God is my ultimate and unwavering source of love
You're no good without Him you're just like me
Without faith, we are all vulnerable and incomplete as individuals
Who are you to be so high and mighty?
You don't have the right to act superior or judge others for their beliefs
I remember when you told me
I recall a time when you spoke to me about God's love and salvation
That His love could save anybody
You shared the message that God's love can offer salvation to anyone
But I wouldn't know by the way you treat me
However, your actions and behavior towards me don't reflect that same message
And I wanna' show you the way He loves me
I hope to demonstrate through my actions how God's love has affected and empowered me
I can't understand why we try to pretend that we're not only human we're just men
Despite our mistakes and weaknesses, it's important to acknowledge and embrace our human nature
If you've never been to Calvary then you've got no business judging me
Only those who truly understand the sacrifice and love of Calvary have the right to judge others
Sometimes we forget but we need to take some time and remember
It's easy to forget the message and impact of God's love, so it's important to reflect and remember
God's the only one who could make everything alright
I believe that God has the power and ability to heal and fix any situation
He's my friend and my protector
God not only offers guidance and support, but also protection from harm
When you feel like nothing ain't worth it
During tough times when it feels like nothing is going right
And you not deserving
When you feel undeserving or unworthy of love and blessings
God says don't you give up
God encourages us to persevere and stay strong during difficult times
He's here to heal the hurt
God can offer comfort and healing to those who are hurting or in pain
Writer(s): Shannell Irving, Guordan Banks, Dana Stinson Copyright: Dayna'S Day Publishing, Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Dem Drawz Music, Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Contributed by Layla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.