Active since the 1970s, Jamaican Gospel singer Carlene Davis today celebrates her 69th birthday.

First stepping into the reggae genre, releasing notable classic lovers’ rock records, Davis in the 1990s suffered from and survived cancer, after which she dedicated her music career to Gospel.

Here are a few Carlene Davis classics to add to your playlist.

8. Praising God

A gospel-reggae track, Praising God is a celebration of what God has done for the singer. Davis appears content in her relationship with the Lord, wanting to spend as much time as she possibly can with Him.

She expresses that no matter what might be happening, no matter what she lacks, as long as she has God, she is more than okay.

This track was released in 2018 as part of the artiste’s The Assignment album.

7. Why Me Lord?

A popular gospel record, Why Me Lord? has been covered multiple times by artistes such as Josh Turner, George Jones and Merle Haggard. Throughout the years, the covers have had minor lyrical alterations made to them.

In 2006, Carlene Davis and Jamaican vocalist Ken Boothe recorded a gospel-reggae version of the tune. On the track, both artistes ask God what they ever did to deserve the pleasures they have come to know, naturally experiencing a yearning to repay Him.

6. Blue Waters

2009’s Blue Waters was released as part of Davis’ True Worship album. From the lyrics of the record, it appears that whenever Davis is faced with trials and tribulations, to achieve a sense of peace and calm, she turns to ‘blue waters’.

Davis’ description of herself as a ‘brand new man’ each time she ventures into blue waters, can be likened to that of baptism (which also takes place in water), for whenever someone baptises they become a new person.

5. Ambassador For Christ

Released on the 2005 Rock Me Lord album, Ambassador For Christ is a song that calls everyone no matter their age, to advocate for the Lord.

Davis, who appears content and secured in her relationship with God, shares that she wants to do all she can for God in return for him sending His son to die on Calvary, noting that she would spread the story of the Lord in an effort to obtain more supporters for the cause.

4. Handful of Salt

Handful Of Salt was released on the singer’s The Best of Glory album and features musical group, The Grace Thrillers.

In this song, Davis explains that a handful of people, which is sometimes referred to as a handful of salt, is able to heal the nation.

This thought and theme of the song, perhaps stemmed from Matthew 5:13, where Jesus, who described his handful of disciples as salt, trusted them to share his word in an effort to ‘heal the nation’.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” (Matthew 5:13) .

3. Stealing Love

Stealing Love written by Verdell Kelly, was first recorded and released by Paul Kelly in 1976. Just five years later, Carlene Davis recorded the Ossie Hibbert- and Willie Lindo-produced track.

In Stealing Love, Davis sings about just that, ‘stealing love’ . From her lyrics, listeners understand that she is having an affair with who appears to be a married man. Although aware that he will never be completely hers, she can’t seem to let go, and is okay with whatever her forbidden lover brings to the table.

2. Santa Claus (Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto?)

Released as part of the Sweet Reggae Christmas album in 2001, in this tune, Davis flips the script on the theme of Christmas. Diverting from the usual happy and joy-filled lyrics, Davis takes a serious tone, shedding light on the fact that Christmas is not a ‘time-of-cheer’ for everyone.

Davis questions the legendary character, asking him if he ever visits the ghetto, where many are struggling in crime-ridden and poverty-stricken areas.

1. Going Down To Paradise

One of the artistes most notable songs, Going Down To Paradise, released in the year 1984, is a lovers’ rock track in which Davis vows to take her lover for the night to paradise.

The initial lyrics of the track suggests that paradise is a place of relaxation, far away from home, where the pair is able to relax. However, as Davis continues, we come to understand that paradise is with her lover, wherever they are. She sings that for the night, her desire is to spend time with him.