Gloria Spencer, I Wanna Go (Where Jesus Is) | Music Lifts

In the 24^th edition of Music Lifts (2026), we’re uplifted by Gloria Spencer, ‘The World’s Largest Gospel Singer,’ performing “I Wanna Go (Where Jesus Is).”

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”W” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]elcome 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 24^th edition of Music Lifts (2026), we highlight “I Wanna Go (Where Jesus Is)” as performed by Gloria Spencer.[/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

[nx_pullquote]“I wanna go (Oh, Lord) / Where Jesus is (Thank God) / I wanna go (My Lord) / Where Jesus is.”[/nx_pullquote]Amen! Hallelujah! 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.  The short-lived singer sadly lived to be only 39 years old in 1976.  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.  That’s not my cup of tea regarding marketing 😡, but it gained her attention.  Rather than focus on Spencer’s size, I’m more focused on her music, which deserves the most attention and far more recognition.  “I Wanna Go (Where Jesus Is)” is the moving opener from her 1972 debut album, Gloria’s Views of Glory. In 2007, when the album was rereleased, it was renamed I Got It.

There is a lot to love about “I Wanna Go (Where Jesus Is).”  From the get-go, this is a feel-good, funky gospel cut.  The percussion (conga drums) sets the tone.  Soon enough, the rest of the band gets into the mix, with drums, bass, keys, and eventually guitar, organ, and horns.  This is gospel, but it also embodies the R&B, funk, and soul of the era. Gloria Spencer proves herself to be a dynamic vocalist.  From the first note she sings, she’s locked in, sharing her desires to live right, with a heavenward mindset. She brings the tuneful melodies and prudent lyrics to life like a champ.  Furthermore, her ad-libs are incredibly impressive, oozing with soul and having church written all over them.  “No more crying there (Good Lordy) / Where Jesus is,” she testifies. Adding to the goodness of her own anointed pipes, Spencer is supported by awesome background vocalists, who take us to church as well!  One of the best moments is the vamping section, where Spencer is on autopilot – she eats and leaves no crumbs, supported by her faithful choir.  Sadly, Gloria Spencer was short-lived and left us with only two albums.  Regardless, a record like “I Wanna Go (Where Jesus Is)” endures – its meaningful and powerful message never grows stale.