# Total Praise > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Total_Praise > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Total_Praise.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Praise > Source revision: 1336249084 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Infobox song | name = Total Praise | cover = | alt = | artist = [Richard Smallwood with Vision](/source/Richard_Smallwood_(musician)) | type = song | album = Adoration: Live in Atlanta | released = April 30, 1996 | recorded = | studio = | genre = [Gospel](/source/Gospel_music) | length = {{duration|m=4|s=59}} | label = * [Verity](/source/Verity_Records) * [Jive](/source/Jive_Records) | writer = Richard Smallwood | producer = }} "'''Total Praise'''" is a song written by [Richard Smallwood](/source/Richard_Smallwood_(musician)), first recorded by Richard Smallwood with Vision on the 1996 album, ''Adoration: Live in Atlanta''.{{cite web|title=Adoration: Live in Atlanta - Richard Smallwood|work=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/adoration-live-in-atlanta-mw0000182474|access-date=September 17, 2024}} It has subsequently become one of his most popular songs. == Background and composition == Smallwood 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](/source/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.”{{cite news|author=Alexander, Keith L.|title=Millions of gospel fans know Richard Smallwood's music. But not his struggles|date=July 23, 2015|newspaper=[Washington Post](/source/Washington_Post)|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/the-richard-smallwood-you-know-4-doves-10-stellars-8-grammy-noms/2015/07/22/553d5cfc-0a28-11e5-9e39-0db921c47b93_story.html|access-date=2020-03-29}} == Covers == * [Destiny's Child](/source/Destiny's_Child) covered the ending "Amen" chorus of "Total Praise" on their "Gospel Medley", released on the albums ''[Survivor](/source/Survivor_(Destiny's_Child_album))'' (2001) and ''[Heart to Yours](/source/Heart_to_Yours)'' (2002), the latter being the solo debut of band member [Michelle Williams](/source/Michelle_Williams_(singer)), who suggested the Smallwood composition be included in the medley. In 2002, they recorded a live version at [Rotterdam Ahoy](/source/Rotterdam_Ahoy) in [Rotterdam](/source/Rotterdam), Netherlands released on the ''[Destiny's Child World Tour](/source/Destiny's_Child_World_Tour)'' DVD (2003).{{cite AV media notes|author=Destiny's Child|year=2003|title=Destiny's Child World Tour|type=DVD|publisher=[Columbia Records](/source/Columbia_Records), Music World Entertainment|id=CVD54246}} * [Fred Hammond](/source/Fred_Hammond) recorded a cover in the song titled "You Are My Life", on the album ''Speak Those Things POL: Chapter 3'' (2002).{{cite web|author=Gerard Bonner|title=Fred Hammond DVD: Speak Those Things: POL Chapter 3...Live in Chicago|url=https://www.gospelflava.com/reviews/vid-fredhammondspeak.html|date=2003|website=gospelflava.com|access-date=October 6, 2024}} * [Donnie McClurkin](/source/Donnie_McClurkin), featuring Richard Smallwood, covered the song on the album ''Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs'' (2005).{{cite web|title=Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs - Donnie McClurkin {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/psalms-hymns-and-spiritual-songs-mw0000260252|work=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|access-date=October 6, 2024}} * [Anita Wilson](/source/Anita_Wilson) covered the song on the album ''Sunday Song'' (2017).{{cite web|title=Sunday Song - Anita Wilson {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sunday-song-mw0003062337|work=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|access-date=October 6, 2024}} * The Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir, accompanied by Smallwood on piano, covered the song at the funeral of [Aretha Franklin](/source/Aretha_Franklin) in 2018.{{cite news|author=Ryan Garza|title=Aretha Franklin's funeral powered by music, ministry of the black church|date=August 31, 2018|newspaper=[Detroit Free Press](/source/Detroit_Free_Press)|url=https://eu.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/aretha-franklin/2018/08/31/aretha-franklin-funeral-black-church-music/1164698002/|access-date=September 17, 2024}} * [Kanye West](/source/Kanye_West)'s [Sunday Service Choir](/source/Sunday_Service_Choir) covered the song on the album ''[Jesus Is Born](/source/Jesus_Is_Born)'' (2019).{{cite web|author=Shane Cashman|title=Kanye West / Sunday Service Choir: Jesus Is Born Album Review|date=January 8, 2020|work=[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-sunday-service-choir-jesus-is-born/|access-date=September 17, 2024}} * [Libera](/source/Libera_(choir)) covered the song on the album ''If'' (2021).{{cite web|title=If - Album by Libera - Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/if/1577393910|work=[Apple Music](/source/Apple_Music)|access-date=October 6, 2024}} * Travis Malloy, [Darrell Walls](/source/The_Walls_Group) and [Le'Andria Johnson](/source/Le'Andria_Johnson) released a cover of the song in 2023.{{cite web|title=Total Praise (feat. Darrel Walls & Le'Andria Johnson) - Single - Album by Travis Malloy - Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/total-praise-feat-darrel-walls-leandria-johnson-single/1665079624|work=[Apple Music](/source/Apple_Music)|access-date=October 6, 2024}} * [Stevie Wonder](/source/Stevie_Wonder) covered the song at the memorial service for [Dexter Scott King](/source/Dexter_Scott_King) on February 10, 2024.{{cite news|author=Kristi York Wooten|title=Watch: Stevie Wonder performs an emotional musical tribute to MLK’s son Dexter Scott King in Atlanta|date=February 11, 2024|work=[Georgia Public Broadcasting](/source/Georgia_Public_Broadcasting)|url=https://www.gpb.org/news/2024/02/11/watch-stevie-wonder-performs-emotional-musical-tribute-mlks-son-dexter-scott-king|access-date=September 17, 2024}} * Other notable performances include those by [Patti LaBelle](/source/Patti_LaBelle),{{cite news|author=Bev Wolfe |title=REVIEW: Patti LaBelle Still Has It (State Theatre)|date=January 29, 2017|work=Twin Cities Arts Reader|url=https://twincitiesarts.com/2017/01/29/review-patti-labelle-still-has-it-state-theatre/|access-date=September 17, 2024}} [Fantasia](/source/Fantasia_(singer)), [Chrisette Michelle](/source/Chrisette_Michelle), [the marching band at Florida A&M University](/source/Marching_100), the Makhelat Ha-Mercaz at the Jewish Choral Festival,{{cite news|author=Alexander, Keith L.|title=Whitney Houston, Destiny’s Child and Chaka Khan among many to cover Richard Smallwood’s gospel chart-toppers|date=July 23, 2015|newspaper=[Washington Post](/source/Washington_Post)|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style/wp/2015/07/23/whitney-houston-destinys-child-and-chaka-khan-among-many-to-cover-richard-smallwoods-gospel-chart-toppers/|access-date=September 17, 2024}} the [Dublin Gospel Choir](/source/Dublin_Gospel_Choir),{{cite web|author=Catriona Graham|title=Dublin Gospel Choir at The Button Factory {{!}} Review|date=April 15, 2014|work=[GoldenPlec](/source/GoldenPlec)|url=https://www.goldenplec.com/live-reviews/dublin-gospel-choir-button-factory-review/|access-date=September 17, 2024}} the [Richmond Symphony Orchestra](/source/Richmond_Symphony_Orchestra){{cite web|author=Antoinette Essa|title=These Richmond Symphony performances are tribute to gospel legend, Martin Luther King Jr.|date=January 13, 2024 |work=[WTVR-TV](/source/WTVR-TV)|url=https://www.wtvr.com/cbs6-community/richmond-symphony-martin-luther-king-holiday-weekend-concerts-jan-13-2024|access-date=September 17, 2024}} and [The Kingdom Choir](/source/The_Kingdom_Choir).{{cite web|title=Performance of 'Total Praise' by The Kingdom Choir|date=January 7, 2024 |work=[BBC](/source/BBC)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0h21rvk|access-date=October 6, 2024}} * At the [68th Annual Grammy Awards](/source/68th_Annual_Grammy_Awards), during the In Memoriam section, the tribute performance to [D'Angelo](/source/D'Angelo) and [Roberta Flack](/source/Roberta_Flack) concluded with a brief snippet of the "Amen" chorus.{{cite web|last=Williams |first=Lauren E. |title=2026 Grammy Moments For The Culture You Need To See |website=Hello Beautiful |url=https://hellobeautiful.com/4574467/2026-grammys/ |date=2 February 2026}} == Charts == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! Chart (2020) ! Peak
position |- ! scope="row"| US Gospel Digital Song Sales (''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))''){{cite magazine|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121094108/https://www.billboard.com/artist/richard-smallwood/chart-history/|archivedate=November 21, 2021|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/richard-smallwood/chart-history/|title=Richard Smallwood History|format=select 'Gospel Digital Song Sales' from drop-down menu|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 17, 2024|via=[Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)}} | 11 |} {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! Chart (2026) ! Peak
position |- ! scope="row"| US Gospel Digital Song Sales (''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))''){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/gospel-digital-song-sales/2026-01-10/|title=Gospel Digital Song Sales|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|date=January 10, 2026|accessdate=January 6, 2026|via=[Billboard.com](/source/Billboard.com)|url-access=subscription}} | 6 |} ==References== {{reflist}} Category:1996 songs Category:Gospel songs Category:Jive Records singles --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Total Praise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Praise) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Praise?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.