Sister Janet Mead The Lord's Prayer Song
83The Lord's Prayer
Sister Janet Mead - Musical Legend
Maybe you don't recognize the name Sister Janet Mead if you're not from Australia. However, if you were a kid or older during the 70s, you probably know who she is, if only indirectly. Sister Janet Mead has accomplished some major musical accomplishments. But, first let's talk a little about Sister Janet Mead's background.
Sister Janet Mead Biography
Janet Mead was born is South Australia in 1938. At a very early age, it was apparent that she was an amazing musical talent. Janet studied piano as a child. She had perfect pitch, and her voice had a vocal range of 3 octaves.
Janet was always passionate about music. Her other love was the church. She combined her two interests while forming a band when she was a teenager. The band performed at the weekly mass. Despite Janet's obvious immense musical talent, the church was her greatest love. She became a nun and taught music at a Catholic school.
Sister Janet Mead never abandoned her interest in music. She wanted to make religious music more enjoyable to teens, as well as the church services. She started to experiment with using a rock music feel with religious lyrics.
This led to what became termed 'rock masses' at the local cathedral. The masses became wildly popular. They were so popular, in fact, that there wasn't room for everyone attending. Speakers were set up outside so that everyone could hear the music.
Next, Sister Janet Mead started recording professionally for Catholic schools and churches. Sister Mead traveled to Sydney, Australia in 1973 to record with well-known music producer, Martin Erdman. The recording was Brother Sun, Sister Moon. It was going to be added to a soundtrack.
Sister Janet Mead The Lord's Prayer Video Clip - Thank you, KC!
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Sister Janet Mead and the Lord's Prayer
At the last minute, they decided to record a B side. It was an arrangement written by a member of Sister Mead's church. The song was "The Lord's Prayer" put to a rock music sound. Erdman added an orchestra and rock band to the mix. The studio was so impressed that they released both songs as singles.
The record was released to radio stations in Australia. DJs started playing the B side instead of Brother Sun, Sister Moon. It was an immediate hit in Australia. Radio stations started getting jammed phone lines with requests for "The Lord's Prayer".
A&M Records decided to distribute the single worldwide. It was an excellent idea. "The Lord's Prayer" hit #3 in Australia and #4 in the United States. It was a Top 10 hit in several other countries in 1974. The huge hit single sold close to 3 million records.
Sister Janet Mead even received a nomination for a Grammy for her hit song. She was nominated for Best Inspirational Performance in 1975. She was up against Elvis Presley's rendition of How Great Thou Art. It was the only Grammy that Elvis won.
"The Lord's Prayer" would earn Sister Janet Mead many accolades besides her Grammy nomination. She earned the first Australian gold record. Sister Mead's one hit wonder made her the first Australian singer to sell over a million copies in the United States. "The Lord's Prayer" made the Top 40 charts in more countries than any other Australian single. Sister Janet Mead has also sold more records than any other Australian gospel singer.
Sister Mead gave away all of the money that came with the record sales. She did record a second album titled "Rock Mass". A single from the album made it to the US song charts, although not with the huge success of "The Lord's Prayer". A third album that was recorded in 1975 was not released. It was accidentally discovered again and released on the 25th anniversary of "The Lord's Prayer" original release.
Lots of media attention and music offers were thrust Sister Mead's way. Sister Mead says that this was a terrible time in her life and that it seriously tested her faith. Sister Mead went into seclusion. She is still active in the church and community service. Her music lives on and "The Lord's Prayer" is considered to be the forerunner of contempory Christian music.
- Sister Janet Mead Music - The Lord's Prayer and More
As a side note, I had this 45 single. Awesome song, beautiful voice, and kicking music. If you haven't heard it or don't remember it, here is a website with a snippet of the song, along with samples of other Sister Janet Mead gospel songs.
Sister Janet Mead The Lord's Prayer CommentsLoading...
I had not heard of Janet Mead until this hub. Listening to the demo in the link, that saddens me as I would have loved to have grown up with this song! It is truly awsome and I will definitely be searching the net to look for the video. Great hub!
Bonnie
I wish I could have included the link with the full song. It is surprising to me that you guys don't remember The Lord's Prayer song. If you find the video, Bonnie, please let me know. I was just showing this song to my daughter. I don't know if it has been removed, or if I'm just using the wrong search terms.
Being raised in a Baptist home, most of my religious music at that time consisted of the usual southern gospel. Now, I love all sorts of religious music. I will definitely let you know if I can find this video. I just watched anothe youtube video that I liked on another hub so I copied that link and saved it in my documents so I wouldn't lose it LOL. I'll do that is I find this video and get it to you.
Bonnie
Thanks so much, Bonnie! I appreciate it.
Here's the YouTube link!
Oh my gosh, KC! I love you! Thanks so much. I'm adding The Lord's Prayer now.
Oh my gosh. How happy I was to find this site. I am from a small rural farming community in Northwestern Wisconsin. I now live in Madison Wisconsin. I had the 45 of this song when I was a a young girl. I am now 41 years old. I was searching the web all night for this and finally found it. This has brough back so many fond memories and the great faith that it has bought to me. Thank you so much Sister Janet Mead. I can't wait to share this with my family and my faith community here in Madison and back home.
That video brings back some real memories. Thanks for a great hub.
Wisconsin gal and John, I'm so glad that this video of Janet Mead's The Lord's Prayer brought back memories for you both.
The Lord's Prayer is my very favorite , Janet Mead your the best.
Keep up the good work.
This version of The Lord's Prayer was sung at my Confirmation. It was way cool back then and the guy in charge of music is still in that parish. Not bad for a small mill town in Maine!
I would spend hours listening to this song as a kid! I so Loved it and was very happy to find it on the Web. I would like to have a copy of the song but for now I'm very happy to listen to it on my computer.
It would have been great to meet Sister Janet she is a true gift from God
I remember well hearing this wonderful version on radio in West Virginia and then rushing out to buy the record. Thanks for sharing this and introducing Sister Mead to a younger audience. The Sixties and Seventies were a wonderful time for Christian music, and some which was not by Christians such as Jesus Christ: Superstar. There were all kinds of Catholic folk musicians then such as Ray Repp who brought the church out of the Victorian age of music and into the 20th century. Sydney Carter's "Lord of the Dance" became popular back then as well.
What a wonderful trip down memory lane!
I remember this song when I was very young.... funny though I remember an acoustic version also. I've not heard this version in over 30 years and could not remember who recorded it. Thank you for finding it.
I remember being a little girl sitting in front of my sister's record player listing to this, The Carpenter's, Christopher Cross, Bread, Charlie Daniels and some other GREAT singers of the 70's!
THANK you!
This is the arrangement I remember from 70 to 72 as a kid in church. We had a folk band that played in mass and I loved this version. of coarse it wasnt so polished with strings. It was all folk guitar and was awsome. really got your toes tapping. where can I get the chords for this arrangement? Im not good enough to figure them out myself. heepfan@aol.com
I do very much remember "The Lord's Prayer" Sr Janer Mead
I even have the oringal sheet music--those where the days
Pam
Someone sent me her video link 2 years ago and it was a joy to listen to her. And now, I get the story behind her record. Your article was a good read. Thank you for sharing...
I remember this song but anyone I mentioned it to thought I was kidding, the Lords Prayer a #1 single. I could never get it out of my head, and never knew who sang it until my search led me here. Thanks
I haven't heard this song in decades but I still have always remembered it well. Thanks for the great hub.
Peter M. Lopez 4 years ago
I'm afraid I don't know of Janet Mead, my loss. Nice hub.