Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Everybody Ought To Praise His Name | Music Lifts

In the 51^st edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by the legendary gospel quarter, Mighty Clouds Of Joy, performing, “Everybody Ought To Praise His Name.”

Welcome to Music Lifts , a column that seeks to highlight 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 51^st edition of Music Lifts (2023), we highlight “Everybody Ought To Praise His Name” as performed by Mighty Clouds Of Joy.

“Oh, I woke up early this morning / My heart was beating right on time / I said, Lord, I truly thank you / For opening up these eyes of mine.” Yes, yes, yes !  Truthfully, as humans, we take for granted so much in life, such as waking up in the morning.  Sometimes, it takes sickness or, even worse, death, to remind us that life is fleeting and not promised. According to the legendary gospel quartet, Mighty Clouds Of Joy, “Everybody Ought To Praise His Name”. His, of course, is The Man upstairs – G-O-D !

“Everybody Ought To Praise His Name” is a groovy highlight from one of the quartet’s best albums, Cloudburst, released in 1980. “Everybody” is an exuberant, joyful, and spirited record focused on praise and being truly thankful for God’s goodness.  The most memorable section of the record is the chorus, led by the titular lyric. Perhaps the most thoughtful lyric is about a robin:

“Everybody ought to praise his name

Be thankful and praise his name

Everybody ought to praise his name

‘Cause if a robin can say, thank you

You can do it too.”

The robin isn’t merely mentioned in the chorus, but also the verses. “A robin was singing a song / I don’t know what he was singing,” Joe Ligon sings, adding, “Who can say he wasn’t being grateful / And saying thank you for another day.” He has a legitimate point.  The big takeaway from “Everybody Ought To Praise His Name” is to count your blessings – don’t take them for granted!  That, in itself, can apply to anyone, whether they believe in absolutely nothing. And, if you do happen to be a believer, praise Him, God, for everything He has done .

Mighty Clouds Of Joy • Cloudburst • Curb / Word Entertainment • 1980

Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Everybody Ought To Praise His Name: Music Lifts No. 51 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Curb / Word Entertainment; cottonbro studio, Itzel Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]