Gloria Spencer, I Can’t Believe | Music Lifts

In the 35^th edition of Music Lifts (2026), we’re uplifted by deceased gospel singer and pianist Gloria Spencer performing “I Can’t Believe.”

Welcome to Music Lifts, featuring songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 35^th edition of Music Lifts (2026), we highlight “I Can’t Believe” as performed by Gloria Spencer.

Gloria Spencer (1937 – 1976) should be remembered for her remarkable instrument; she had the voice of an angel. She could also play the piano. Spencer was tailor-made for black gospel music, given her skills.  However, it’s not that simple.  She sadly only lived to be 39 years old.  She’d been extremely obese throughout her entire life thanks to a thyroid condition.  When she died, she weighed just shy of 800 pounds.  During her career, she was marked as the World’s Largest Gospel Singer. Rather than focus on Spencer’s size 👎, I’m more focused on her music, which deserves the most attention and far more recognition. “I Can’t Believe”, a ballad, is the second track from her 1972 debut album, Gloria’s Views of Glory. In 2007, when the album was rereleased, it was renamed I Got It.

“I Can’t Believe” features gorgeous orchestration.  The instrumentation includes a rhythm section, brass, saxophone, and lush, sophisticated strings. This song has a gospel-soul vibe.  This is very much made for the church but also fits the billing of the 1970s R&B/soul sound. Gloria Spencer A-T-E and left no crumbs, PERIODT! Her lead vocals are commanding; she’s gritty and oozes with soul.  Adding to the excellence is the authenticity of her performance.  With every note and every lyric, you buy what she’s selling.  She paints a compelling picture of Heaven, a place where “There’s no aches and pains to endure.”

“The sky’s forever blue

The grass is forever green

There’s more love and happiness there

Then you’ve ever seen.”

That is why she declares her unbelief that anyone would not want to make Heaven their home.  Of course, work must be put in to make it to Heaven.  Beyond the main vocals, the background vocals and ad-libs – a mix of gritty riffs and some sickening, upper-register lines – are impressive.  Another fabulous moment is the vamp section. It’s brief, but packs a mean punch, led by Gloria with the background vocals providing a mean response (“I can’t believe (Can’t believe it)…”). One of the best moments from I Got It, Gloria Spencer put her entire heart and soul into the meaningful, prudent, and timeless “I Can’t Believe”.

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Gloria Spencer » I Got It » Perfect Gospel Series » 2007

Gloria Spencer, I Can’t Believe: Music Lifts No. 35 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Perfect Gospel Series; Emma Bauso, foad shariyati, nappy, Niko Twisty, Victoria Strelka_ph, Wolrider YURTSEVEN from Pexels; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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