The Rance Allen Group, That Will Be Good Enough For Me

In the 34^th edition of Music Lifts (2025), we’re uplifted by The Rance Allen Group performing  “That Will Be Good Enough For Me.”

Welcome to Music Lifts, featuring 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 34^th edition of Music Lifts (2025), we highlight “That Will Be Good Enough For Me” as performed by The Rance Allen Group.

“If I can only make it to Heaven / That will be good enough for me,”

Bishop Rance Allen (1948 – 2020) sings on “That Will Be Good Enough For Me”.  He continues, “Because Heaven is a place / Where I want to be.” Amen 🙏! The late COGIC bishop and gospel singer was the leader of the influential The Rance Allen Group. “That Will Be Good Enough For Me,” a James Cleveland (1931 – 1991) cover, is the second track from the collective’s album, Truth Is Where It’s At, released in 1972.

In the song, Rance Allen names all of the places he hasn’t been and the things he hasn’t seen. “I’ve never been to Switzerland, no, no / See the winter games played,” he sings, and adds, “But, ooh, I’ve never been to New Orleans on / Carnival or Mardi Gras day, yeah.”  Regardless, his goal is to reach Heaven when his time is up.  With his clear, high-flying, and prodigious vocals, showing off a soaring falsetto and impressive grit, he paints Heaven gloriously:

“Heaven, where the streets are made of gold

Heaven, where a saint can soothe his weary soul

Heaven, I sit down in the crystal seat.”

Rance also makes the experience of reaching heaven a personal experience.  “‘Rance, I’ve seen you struggle a long, long time / But I see here by your record, you’ve been doing just fine’,” he sings, speaking from the Lord’s perspective.  He adds, “‘I see where you fought the devil on the ivory hill’ / Said, ‘Listen here, man, you’re what I call a good Christian man’.” Listening to “That Will Be Good Enough For Me” after Rance’s passing, it hits differently for sure. Allen sings dynamically and expressively with ample sincerity. You buy what he’s selling. Beyond the thoughtful songwriting and epic vocals, the record features a great arrangement with piano, organ, bass, and drums. I love some of the jazzier moments, specifically towards the end. In the hands of The Rance Allen Group, “That Will Be Good Enough For Me” is a special, truly anointed listening experience.