Award-winning artist, songwriter, producer, and Gospel music veteran Kirk Franklin is back with new single “Thank You For Everything” featuring gospel legend The Clark Sisters member Karen Clark Sheard.
Gratitude runs right through the song, with Kirk keeping the message simple and focused on thanking God. Written and produced by Kirk Franklin alongside co-producer Adam Blackstone, “Thank You For Everything” is an uplifting and undeniable gospel anthem rooted in gratitude, faith and reflection. The song channels the vibrancy and vitality of Kirk’s most celebrated work pairing a cinematic piano melody with his unmistakable voice and a soaring gospel choir.
From the opening notes, Kirk delivers the song as a deeply personal testimony, reflecting on the journey that brought him to this moment. As the arrangement builds, gratitude takes center stage in the stirring refrain, “Looking back now I can say thank you for everything.” The drums then surge forward, setting the stage for Karen’s powerhouse vocals to elevate the song from there.
The song opens with an interlude before Kirk comes in saying, “I just wanna say,” with the backing vocals responding, “Thank you, thank you.” That back and forth between Kirk speaking and the singers responding becomes a big part of the sound and carries the song forward naturally.
Then Karen Clark Sheard comes in and the energy lifts straight away. Her entrance is electrifying, bringing that unmistakable vocal strength she is known for and adding even more life to the song.
This weekend, Kirk will grace the stage at the 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards for the live television debut performance of “Thank You For Everything,” where he will also serve as host for the evening. The ceremony airs on BET Saturday August 30.
[Intro: Kirk Franklin] I just wanna say
[Verse 1: Choir, Kirk Franklin]
Thank You, thank You
For everything, everything (Yes)
For trouble (Trials), trials (Thank Ya)
For winter, summer, fall and spring (What did it do?)
It changed me, it grew me (Yes sir)
So I can carry more
What you prepared me for
For every season life may bring
[Chorus: Choir, Kirk Franklin]
Thank You (Yes), thank You (Yes)
Thank You (Yeah), Lord, I thank You (Everybody)
Looking back, now I can say (Woo)
Thank You for everything (One more time, I just wanna say)
[Verse 1: Choir, Kirk Franklin]
Thank You (I need a witness up in here), thank You (I need a witness up there)
For everything (For everything), everything (I wanna thank You for)
For troublе (I even wanna thank You for), trials (And evеry season)
For winter, summer, fall and spring (Helped you crawl out there from it, ayy)
It changed me (What else did it do?), it grew me (Because something greater was coming)
So I can carry more (Hallelujah)
What you prepared me for (Tell ’em)
For every season life may bring
[Chorus: Choir, Kirk Franklin]
Thank You (I just wanna say), thank You (Can somebody in here say it?)
Thank You (Somebody say), Lord, I thank You (Looking)
Looking back, now I can say (I can say)
Thank You for everything (We’re not finished yet, we’re not finished, church, I just wanna say)
[Verse 2: Choir, Kirk Franklin]
Thank You (Thank You for) for sunshine (I just wanna say)
Thank You (Thank You for) for dark nights (Even the small things)
For food to eat (Even) and my enemies
You made it work out for my good
[Chorus: Choir, Kirk Franklin]
So, thank You (Sing), thank You (I need to hear church sing in here)
Thank You (Sing), Lord, I thank You (Looking)
Looking back, now I can say (I just wanna say)
Thank You for everything (Listen, church, listen, church)
[Interlude: Kirk Franklin, Choir]
Giving thanks is not a request of you (Ooh)
It is a requirement of you (Ooh)
See, your faith commands your “Thank You”
So, if you don’t feel like telling Him “Thank You” (Ooh)
I got a witness that’s gon’ help me help you say “Thank You” (Ooh)
I brought somebody that’s gon’ help you say “Thank Ya”, come on and sing
[Chorus: Choir, Karen Clark-Sheard, Both]
Thank You (Thank Ya, Lord), thank You (You been real good to me)
Thank You (I can’t find), Lord, I thank You (Nobody like You, Jesus)
I’m grateful (That’s why I came to tell You), grateful (Thank You, Lord, I praise Ya)
Grateful (Oh, I’m so grateful), so grateful (Hey)
I appreciate You (I appreciate Ya), I appreciate You (You’ve been so good to me)
I appreciate You (I appreciate Ya, thank You, Lord), I appreciate You (Oh, Lord)
How can I repay You? (How can I?) Repay You (I can’t repay Ya)
Repay You (Oh), how can I repay You? (Lord, God)
Forever, I will love You (Forever and ever and ever), I’ll love You (Forever)
I’ll love You (Ooh), I will love You (I will love Ya)
I love You (Ye, though I walk), I trust You (Through the valley)
I need You (You still love me), I thank You (Oh, sing)
Yes (Yes), yes (Yes)
Yes (Oh), oh, yes (I’ll say, “Yes”)
Yes (To Your will), yes (To Your way)
Yes (Yes), oh, yes (Oh, ah)
Looking back, now I can say (Looking back on when)
Thank You for everything (Everything, can I get a witness out there? Oh, let me hear you, let me hear you say)
Looking back, now I can say (I thank Ya ’cause I’m looking back)
Thank You for everything (Oh, You’ve been so good to me, You put up with me)
Looking back, now I can say (Thank You, Lord)
Thank You for everything
Da-da-da-ah, da, da, da, ah
Thank You for everything
[Outro: Karen Clark-Sheard]
Thank You, Lord
Thank You, Lord
Thank You for making ways
Thank You for drying tears
You didn’t have to help me, but You did it anyway
But You did it anyway
Yes, that’s why I thank Ya
When I got to give up on me
You carried me and then gave me a second chance
When I got to sin, I, I can’t do nothing for You
But You came through and said “I give you a second chance”
Sombedoy say yeah, yeah, oh, yeah, oh-yeah
Somebody say yeah
