(December 31, 2025) A podcaster asked singer Joy Jackson what is the one quality that a song must have before she will consider singing it. “It has to be rooted in truth,” Jackson responded quickly. That is not surprising because Joy Jackson is a gospel singer first and foremost. Regardless of genre, the songs that Jackson sings will uplift, inspire and energize the listener.
The story of how Jackson ended up singing the Blake Melvin composed and Austin Woodlin produced song “Lifted” reveals how this artist is guided by the spirit. “Lifted” has a contemporary R&B sound from the keys to the percussive trap-inspired drum and the hip-hop influenced bass line. So, when Woodlin proposed the song to Jackson, the singer had questions.
“He knew as soon as he told me it was more of an R&B style, my first question to him (was), ‘what am I talking about. What am I singing about.’” Woodlin assured Jackson that he would not put her “in any foolishness,” and sent Jackson the lyrics that Melvin penned.
“I read Blake’s lyrics, and I was like this is Psalm 91.” “Lifted” is a song that serves as a reminder that keeping your head up and sending prayers to Heaven will provide you with everything you need to slip through the weights and chains that a designed to keep you down. Check out Joy Jackson’s “Lifted” here.
By Howard Dukes
