“Mahalia Jackson” is widely considered one of the greatest gospel singers of all time. Born in New Orleans in 1911, Jackson’s rich, powerful voice and deep spiritual conviction made her a legend in the music industry. She began her career singing in church and eventually became a professional singer, touring the world and performing for presidents and other dignitaries. In this article, we will explore the 10 best Mahalia Jackson songs of all time, examining the stories behind these timeless classics and examining how they continue to inspire and uplift listeners around the world.
Jackson’s music is characterized by her powerful vocals and her ability to convey deep emotion and spiritual resonance. Her songs were often rooted in gospel traditions, but also incorporated elements of blues, jazz, and folk music. Throughout her career, Jackson remained dedicated to her faith and her music was always infused with a deep sense of spirituality.
In this article, we will delve into the stories behind some of Jackson’s greatest hits, such as “How I Got Over,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” We will examine how these songs became classics in their own right and why they continue to resonate with listeners today. We will also explore some lesser-known tracks that showcase the depth and versatility of Jackson’s artistry.
1. “Didn’t It Rain”
“Didn’t It Rain” is a powerful and emotive gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Released in 1954, the song features Jackson’s rich and soulful vocals, accompanied by a choir and a lively instrumentation of drums, horns, and piano. The song is full of biblical references and speaks of the transformative power of faith, with lyrics that convey a sense of hope and joy. Jackson’s vocals are filled with passion and emotion, conveying a deep sense of spiritual conviction and conveying the message of the song with incredible power.
2. “In The Upper Room”
“In The Upper Room” is a powerful and soulful gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Released in 1947, the song is a classic example of Jackson’s talent as a gospel singer, featuring her rich and powerful vocals accompanied by a choir and a lively instrumentation of piano, organ, and drums. The song speaks of the transformative power of faith and prayer, with lyrics that convey a sense of hope, joy, and spiritual upliftment. Jackson’s vocals are filled with passion and emotion, and her ability to convey the message of the song with such power has made her a legend in the world of gospel music.
3. “Walk In Jerusalem”
“Walk In Jerusalem” is a classic gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Originally recorded in 1955, the song features Jackson’s powerful and soulful vocals, accompanied by a choir and a lively instrumentation of piano, organ, and drums. The song is full of biblical references and speaks of the journey of faith, with lyrics that convey a sense of hope and spiritual upliftment. Jackson’s vocals are filled with passion and emotion, and her ability to convey the message of the song with such power and conviction has made her one of the most iconic figures in the world of gospel music.
4. “Trouble Of The World”
“Trouble of the World” is a hauntingly beautiful gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Originally recorded in 1959, the song features Jackson’s rich and soulful vocals, accompanied by a simple piano accompaniment. The song speaks of the struggles and hardships of life, with lyrics that convey a sense of sadness and spiritual longing. Jackson’s vocals are filled with raw emotion, conveying a deep sense of pain and empathy for those who are suffering. Despite the somber tone of the song, there is also a sense of hope and resilience in the lyrics, reminding listeners that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of redemption and renewal.
5. “How I Got Over”
“How I Got Over” is a powerful and soulful gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Originally recorded in 1951, the song features Jackson’s rich and powerful vocals, accompanied by a choir and a lively instrumentation of piano, organ, and drums. The song speaks of the journey of faith and the transformative power of prayer, with lyrics that convey a sense of hope, joy, and spiritual upliftment. Jackson’s vocals are filled with passion and emotion, conveying a deep sense of conviction and strength. The song’s chorus, with its repeated refrain “How I got over, how I got over, my soul looks back and wonder how I got over,” has become an iconic anthem of faith and resilience.
6. “There Is A Balm In Gilead”
“There Is a Balm in Gilead” is a classic and deeply spiritual gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Originally recorded in 1955, the song features Jackson’s rich and soulful vocals, accompanied by a simple piano accompaniment. The song speaks of the healing power of faith and the ability of God to bring comfort and solace to those who are suffering. The lyrics are full of biblical references and speak of the redemption and renewal that comes from a life of faith. Jackson’s vocals are filled with raw emotion and convey a deep sense of empathy and compassion for those who are in pain.
7. “Come On Children, Let’s Sing”
“Come On Children, Let’s Sing” is an upbeat and joyous gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Originally recorded in 1960, the song features Jackson’s rich and soulful vocals, accompanied by a choir and a lively instrumentation of piano, organ, and drums. The song speaks of the power of music to bring people together and lift their spirits, with lyrics that encourage listeners to join in and sing along. Jackson’s vocals are filled with passion and energy, conveying a deep sense of joy and enthusiasm for life. The song’s chorus, with its repeated refrain “Come on children, let’s sing,” is an invitation to listeners to let go of their worries and embrace the joy of the moment.
8. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is a classic and deeply spiritual gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Originally recorded in 1958, the song features Jackson’s rich and soulful vocals, accompanied by a simple piano accompaniment. The song speaks of the comfort and solace that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ, with lyrics that convey a sense of peace and spiritual upliftment. The song’s chorus, with its repeated refrain “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear,” has become an iconic anthem of faith and hope. Jackson’s vocals are filled with raw emotion, conveying a deep sense of conviction and strength, and her ability to convey the message of the song with such power has made her a legend in the world of gospel music.
9. “Nobody Knows The Trouble I Have Seen”
“Nobody Knows the Trouble I Have Seen” is a classic and soulful gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Originally recorded in 1947, the song features Jackson’s powerful and emotive vocals, accompanied by a simple piano accompaniment. The song speaks of the struggles and hardships of life, with lyrics that convey a sense of pain, sadness, and spiritual longing. Jackson’s vocals are filled with raw emotion, conveying a deep sense of empathy and compassion for those who are suffering. Despite the somber tone of the song, there is also a sense of hope and resilience in the lyrics, reminding listeners that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of redemption and renewal.
10. “I Will Move On Up a Little Higher”
“I Will Move On Up a Little Higher” is an uplifting and powerful gospel song by American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Originally recorded in 1947, the song features Jackson’s rich and soulful vocals, accompanied by a choir and a lively instrumentation of piano, organ, and drums. The song speaks of the journey of faith and the transformative power of prayer, with lyrics that convey a sense of hope, joy, and spiritual upliftment. Jackson’s vocals are filled with passion and emotion, conveying a deep sense of conviction and strength, and her ability to convey the message of the song with such power and conviction has made her a legend in the world of gospel music. The song’s chorus, with its repeated refrain “I will move on up a little higher, someday,” is a stirring anthem of faith and perseverance that has inspired generations of listeners.
