The Reverend Ford Washington McGee was the first to record "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" as a sermon in 1929. A month later, Bessie Johnson's Sanctified Singers (Betty with Sally Sumier, Melinda Taylor and others) aka The Memphis Sanctified Singers gave us their version of what is now the traditional gospel song.

Thirteen year old Laurie London's 1957 cover with the Geoff Love Orchestra went to the top of the charts.