I’m So Glad

Samuel E. Burns’ I’m So Glad is a soul-stirring fusion of gospel tradition and rhythmic drive a song that feels at once timeless and kinetic, grounded in spiritual resilience while pulsing with the energy of dance-floor revival. It’s a rare piece that can stir the spirit and move the body in equal measure.
The song leans heavily into gospel motifs, both lyrically and structurally, with its cyclical refrains of “I’m so glad, trouble don’t last” and the plaintive, recurring question, “What shall I do?” This repetition is purposeful, echoing the call-and-response style of spiritual music while also tapping into the hypnotic looping characteristic of modern dance tracks. Burns uses this dynamic to create a mantra-like momentum: listeners are drawn into the groove, but also into the emotional and spiritual stakes beneath it.
At the heart of the song lies a struggle between fear and faith. Lines such as “I’m getting worried, what can I do?” introduce a palpable sense of vulnerability, only to be met with the reassurance of divine promise: “You promised me, You’d be beside me.” This tension gives the track its emotional arc, ensuring it doesn’t float on rhythm alone but carries real spiritual weight.
The standout moment arrives in the triumphant declaration “I got religion just in time.” Whether one interprets it literally or metaphorically, the line lands like a breakthrough a moment where the narrator finds strength, clarity, or salvation just when the darkness closes in. It gives the song its spark of victory, transforming worry into worship and fear into jubilant affirmation.
The imagery that closes the piece “Soon one morning, dawn creeping in my room… I know that I’ll be tried” adds a contemplative depth. There is a sense of an approaching trial, but also a quiet confidence that faith will endure. Burns manages to weave joy and solemnity together, crafting a song that’s celebratory without losing sight of the reality of struggle.
As with traditional gospel, the repetition may feel simplistic to those unfamiliar with its purpose. But in this context where gospel meets dance the repetition becomes a strength. It invites listeners to surrender, to move, to join in the rhythm of persistence and praise.
I’m So Glad is a vibrant testament to faith under pressure, a track that bridges sacred roots and modern rhythm with surprising ease. It is equal parts prayer and celebration, offering a message strong enough for a sanctuary and a beat bold enough for a dance floor. Burns delivers a piece that lifts the spirit, steadies the heart, and leaves listeners chanting its refrain long after the final line.