The only thing that’s been stuck in my head this week (aside from “That girl is a real crowd pleaser“) has been “I got beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes…” from the surprise hit song of the year, “You Name It.” “The viral earworm came about when a genius figured out that putting a rap beat to gospel legend Shirley Caesar’s “Hold My Mule” was the best idea since someone figured out macaroni goes great with cheese.. So, how does Ms. Caesar feel knowing all you heathens and sinners have turned her sweet, ol’ gospel record into silly Internet viral hit?
Related: ‘You Name It’ Is Officially On iTunes And Is Ready To Conquer The Billboard Charts
The 78-year-old star called into the The Willie Moore Jr. Show on Thursday and said she cried real tears of joy when she heard her song was a thing with the new generation. “I was out in the middle of the ocean and one of the members from my church showed it to me,” Mama Shirley said about hearing her remixed song for the first time. “I was so shocked to see them dancing and boogieing. I was shocked to tears.”
Of course, Shirley Caesar takes no credit and instead gives God all the glory for her mainstream popularity. The “You Name It” inspiration added that the original “Hold My Mule” going viral is just one of the ways the man upstairs has been blessing her all year. “The Lord is so good to me. And then [“You Name It”] to come after receiving a Hollywood Walk Of Fame, my CD debuting at No. 1 and [now] millions are listening to the song, ‘I got beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes….you name it.’ [He’s been good to me].”
You betta testify, Mama Shirley!
