Bell Armstrong performed on the 1st Annual Soul Train Awards ceremony. Her 1986 album Following Jesus won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album - Solo in 1988. She is also a seven time Grammy Award-nominee.
The cover of Armstrong's 1987 Billboard-charting mainstream 7" single "You Bring Out The Best In Me."Vanessa enjoyed a slice of mainstream success in the late 80's. Her self-titled 1987 Jive Records debut yielded the Billboard-charting hit "You Bring Out The Best In Me," as well as the club favorite "Pressing On." [1][3] The next year's follow-up album Wonderful One featured a cover of the Labi Siffre anti-Apartheid anthem "Something Inside So Strong." The song was later remade in 1995 by Armstrong along with Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, and a host of other gospel artists as a tribute to Rosa Parks. The song was serviced to radio stations to play on the 40th anniversary of the civil rights icon's arrest.
Armstrong appeared on Broadway in 1991 in a production of Don't Get God Started. "Always," a Marvin Winans composition that anchors the play, also appears on Armstrong's 1987 self-titled album. Her Broadway role lead to a cameo appearance in the Oprah Winfrey TV special The Women of Brewster Place. Armstrong was also chosen to record the theme to the popular 80's NBC sitcom Amen.
Vanessa Bell Armstrong took a 3 year self-imposed hiatus from recording before releasing A Brand New Day under a new deal with Tommy Boy Gospel in 2001. Vanessa was presented with a lifetime achievement award during 2004's Gospel Superfest.
Armstrong's 2007 album, Walking Miracle, is her first release in 6 years, and blends traditional gospel fare like "So Good To Me" (produced by Smokie Norful) with contemporary songs like "Til The Victory's Won" (produced by Fred Jerkins III) and the title track (produced by Rodney Jerkins). The latter song was inspired by Armstrong's son who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
So Good to Me
Vanessa Bell Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yes you have)
Everything I ever need
(Yea- ooooh)
He's been so good to me
Oh oh ooh yea
(You've been)
So oh (good to me...)
A long time ago
Because the enemy tried to tag
My mind my body and my soul
And if had not been for Jesus
I don't know where I would be
So many times I wanted to give up
And call it quits
But you were right there with me
In the midst I'm in
God you've been
So good to me
Yea...
He's been so good to me
(Everything I ever need)
Everything I ever need
(He's been)
He's been so good to me
(...)
Woah oh oh Yea...
So-oh-oh (good to me)
I was ...
A weight of guilt and shame
And the enemy tried
To destroy my name
But in the name of Jesus
I stood up and declared
I'm gonna live
I was counted out, abandoned and discarded
But you were there to mend my broken heart
You've been so good to me
So good to me
(...)
(Oh, you've been good)
Good to me
(Yes you have)
Good to me
(When the enemy attacked my body)
Good to me
(And the doctor said it ...)
Good to me
(When I wanted to get by Jesus you were right there
Good to me
(You were better to me than I've been to myself)
Good to me
You came right on in
You picked me up
You turned me around
You placed my feet on solid ground
(In spite of my flaws)
In spite of my own self
When I stumbled and trilled
Over my downfall
Over my shortcoming
Over my mistakes
You... yea
Been good to me
(Good)
(Yes he is)
Yes he is
(Yes he is)
Yes he is
(Good)
He's been good
(Oh oh yes so)
So good to me you've been
He's been good
Vanessa Bell Armstrong's song So Good to Me is a gospel number about the singer's gratitude towards God for getting her through tough times. In the first verse, Armstrong sings about how the enemy tried to tag her mind, body, and soul, but she was able to persevere with the help of Jesus. She acknowledges that without God, she may not have made it through. The second verse also touches on the theme of being counted out and abandoned, but with the help of Jesus, the singer was able to stand up and declare that she would live. The chorus repeats the sentiment that God has been so good to Armstrong, giving her everything she ever needed, picking her up when she stumbled, and placing her feet on solid ground.
Line by Line Meaning
He's been so good to me
Throughout my life, God has taken care of me and provided for me
(Yes you have)
I am confirming that God has indeed been good to me
Everything I ever need
God has provided me with everything I require in life
(Yea- ooooh)
This brings me great joy and happiness to acknowledge
Oh oh ooh yea
I cannot help but express my gratitude for God's goodness
(You've been)
I am further validating God's goodness to me
So oh (good to me...)
The level of God's goodness towards me is immeasurable
I should've been dead
I could have easily died, but God's grace kept me alive
A long time ago
This occurred some time in the past
Because the enemy tried to tag
The devil attempted to harm me
My mind my body and my soul
The devil aimed to break my spirit, physically harm me or lead me into temptation
And if had not been for Jesus
If it were not for Christ and His grace, I would not have survived
I don't know where I would be
Without His protection, provision and peace, my life would be directionless
So many times I wanted to give up
I had faced countless moments of despair and hopelessness
And call it quits
I almost gave up on life
But you were right there with me
God was always present with me, giving me strength
In the midst I'm in
In my current situation, whatever that may be
God you've been
I acknowledge that God has been present and faithful
Yea...
I express my thankfulness yet again
(...)
The chorus is repeated here
I was ...
I had experienced a challenging period in my life
A weight of guilt and shame
I was burdened with feelings of wrongdoing and remorse
And the enemy tried
Satan once again attacked me
To destroy my name
The devil aimed to tarnish my reputation and diminish my worth
But in the name of Jesus
But I called on the name of Christ for assistance
I stood up and declared
I rose up and made a declaration
I'm gonna live
I decided to live life to the fullest
I was counted out, abandoned and discarded
I had been overlooked and disregarded by others
But you were there to mend my broken heart
Yet again, God gave me His comfort and encouragement
(...)
The chorus is repeated multiple times in this section
(Oh, you've been good)
I express my appreciation for God's goodness in a different way
(When the enemy attacked my body)
The devil once again inflicted harm on me
(And the doctor said it ...)
Even the medical professionals did not have much hope for my recovery
(When I wanted to get by Jesus you were right there
During moments when I may not have been seeking God, He was still always present
You were better to me than I've been to myself
God has treated me well, even when I have made poor choices
You came right on in
God came to my aid immediately
You picked me up
God helped me to stand up again when I fell down
You turned me around
God has put me on the right path
You placed my feet on solid ground
God has given me a strong foundation to stand on
(In spite of my flaws)
Even though I have many imperfections
(Yes he is)
I affirm that God is indeed good
So good to me you've been
I express my thankfulness to God one final time with a different phrasing
Writer(s): NORFUL W RAY, BAILEY TIMOTHY CHERADE
Contributed by Isabella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Deltha Alston
on Yes He Loves Me
Lyric to the song I don't no why he cares