"Total Praise" is a song written by Richard Smallwood, first recorded by Richard Smallwood with Vision on the 1996 album, Adoration: Live in Atlanta.[1] It has subsequently become one of his most popular songs.[2]
| "Total Praise" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Richard Smallwood with Vision | |
| from the album Adoration: Live in Atlanta | |
| Released | April 30, 1996 |
| Genre | Gospel |
| Length | 4:59 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | Richard Smallwood |
Background and composition
editSmallwood wrote the song, during a time when he was serving as a caregiver to his mother who was experiencing dementia and a family friend who was dying of cancer. Smallwood explained, “I felt left by God, I was trying to write a pity-party song, but God pulled me to do a praise song. God said, ‘I want your praise no matter what the situation you are in, good or bad.’ It’s about trusting him.” The song is based on Psalm 121 ', in which David wrote about relying on God during his most difficult times: “You are the source of my strength/ You are the strength of my life/ I lift my hands in total praise to You.”[2]
Covers
edit- Destiny's Child covered the ending "Amen" chorus of "Total Praise" on their "Gospel Medley", released on the albums Survivor (2001) and Heart to Yours (2002), the latter being the solo debut of band member Michelle Williams, who suggested the Smallwood composition be included in the medley.[2] In 2002, they recorded a live version at Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands released on the Destiny's Child World Tour DVD (2003).[3]
- Fred Hammond recorded a cover in the song titled "You Are My Life", on the album Speak Those Things POL: Chapter 3 (2002).[4]
- Donnie McClurkin, featuring Richard Smallwood, covered the song on the album Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs (2005).[5]
- Anita Wilson covered the song on the album Sunday Song (2017).[6]
- The Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir, accompanied by Smallwood on piano, covered the song at the funeral of Aretha Franklin in 2018.[7]
- Kanye West's Sunday Service Choir covered the song on the album Jesus Is Born (2019).[8]
- Libera covered the song on the album If (2021).[9]
- Travis Malloy, Darrell Walls and Le'Andria Johnson released a cover of the song in 2023.[10]
- Stevie Wonder covered the song at the memorial service for Dexter Scott King on February 10, 2024.[11]
- Other notable performances include those by Patti LaBelle,[12] Fantasia, Chrisette Michelle, the marching band at Florida A&M University, the Makhelat Ha-Mercaz at the Jewish Choral Festival,[13] the Dublin Gospel Choir,[14] the Richmond Symphony Orchestra[15] and The Kingdom Choir.[16]
Charts
edit| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Gospel Digital Songs (Billboard)[17] | 11 |
References
edit- ^ "Adoration: Live in Atlanta - Richard Smallwood". AllMusic. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c Alexander, Keith L. (July 23, 2015). "Millions of gospel fans know Richard Smallwood's music. But not his struggles". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
- ^ Destiny's Child (2003). Destiny's Child World Tour (DVD). Columbia Records, Music World Entertainment. CVD54246.
- ^ Gerard Bonner (2003). "Fred Hammond DVD: Speak Those Things: POL Chapter 3...Live in Chicago". gospelflava.com. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ "Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs - Donnie McClurkin | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ "Sunday Song - Anita Wilson | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Ryan Garza (August 31, 2018). "Aretha Franklin's funeral powered by music, ministry of the black church". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Shane Cashman (January 8, 2020). "Kanye West / Sunday Service Choir: Jesus Is Born Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "If - Album by Libera - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ "Total Praise (feat. Darrel Walls & Le'Andria Johnson) - Single - Album by Travis Malloy - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Kristi York Wooten (February 11, 2024). "Watch: Stevie Wonder performs an emotional musical tribute to MLK's son Dexter Scott King in Atlanta". Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Bev Wolfe (January 29, 2017). "REVIEW: Patti LaBelle Still Has It (State Theatre)". Twin Cities Arts Reader. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Alexander, Keith L. (July 23, 2015). "Whitney Houston, Destiny's Child and Chaka Khan among many to cover Richard Smallwood's gospel chart-toppers". Washington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Catriona Graham (April 15, 2014). "Dublin Gospel Choir at The Button Factory | Review". GoldenPlec. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Antoinette Essa (January 13, 2024). "These Richmond Symphony performances are tribute to gospel legend, Martin Luther King Jr". WTVR-TV. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "Performance of 'Total Praise' by The Kingdom Choir". BBC. January 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ "Richard Smallwood History". Billboard. Archived from the original (select 'Gospel Digital Song Sales' from drop-down menu) on November 21, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2024 – via Wayback Machine.