Most of her career has been as lead singer for The Staple Singers. She first recorded solo for the Stax subsidiary Volt in 1969. Subsequent efforts included a Curtis Mayfield-produced soundtrack on Curtom, a nod to disco for Warner Bros. Records in 1979, a stab at electro-pop with Holland-Dozier-Holland in 1984, and a collaboration with Prince in the late 1980s and early 90s (producing the two solo albums Time Waits for No One in 1989 and The Voice in 1993, and various other collaborations). Staples has a rich contralto voice that has neither the range of Aretha Franklin nor the power of Patti LaBelle. Her otherworldly power comes instead from a masterful command of phrasing and a deep-seated sensuality expressed through timbre manipulation. Both the Staple Singers and Mavis found fresh audiences stemming from their participation on the CD Rhythm, Country and Blues, and in 1996 she issued Spirituals and Gospel: Dedicated to Mahalia Jackson. Her next recording project didn't land for another eight years, although Have a Little Faith on Alligator Records became her highest profile release in years.
Staples released a new album for Anti- Records titled We'll Never Turn Back on April 24, 2007. The Ry Cooder-produced concept album focuses on songs of the civil rights movement and includes two new original songs.
See also:
Wikipedia
Official Site
How Many Times
Mavis Staples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How many times can you step
On a stone
Before that stone showed some signs
That it′s been walked on?
How much water can you pour?
How much water can you pourIn a boat
Before that boat begin
Oh, begin to sink?
And I'm going down fast
I can count on my fingers
The times you′ve shown me so much disrespect
You do more for a total stranger
My faith is dying from too much neglect
I wanna know how many, many, many
How many times, must I try?
How many times, must I try?
Try to light, light a candle in the wind
How many times do you think that I'll come crawling, oh, back again?
How many, how many, how many
How many times?
How many times? Ooh
I've got to know right now
How many times must I cry?
How many times?
How many times, ooh
Do you think I′ll come crawling back to you?
On my bended knees, yeah
How many times? Yeah
Mavis Staples's song "How Many Times" addresses themes of perseverance, emotional toll, and the quest for respect and recognition in relationships. Through the use of repeated questions, the lyrics evoke a sense of frustration and longing for clarity. The song starts with metaphors that relate to stepping on stones and pouring water into a boat. These symbols illustrate the idea of repeated actions and their consequences; stepping on stones suggests ongoing strain on both the person and the relationship, while pouring water signifies giving without regard for limits. The lines imply that there is a point where the endurance of these burdens becomes too much to handle, leading to a breakdown or realization that the relationship is precarious.
As Staples delves into her feelings of disrespect, she highlights a stark contrast between the treatment she receives and the kindness shown to others. The line about counting on her fingers the times she has been disrespected conveys a deep hurt and a sense of betrayal. It suggests an intimate familiarity with suffering, suggesting that perhaps the singer has previously tolerated disrespect in hopes of a change that never materializes. The phrase “my faith is dying from too much neglect” resonates with anyone who has felt devalued or overlooked. It encapsulates the emotional exhaustion that comes from trying to maintain a connection with someone who doesn’t reciprocate the same care, leading to the inevitable question of how much longer she can endure this imbalance.
The recurring theme of "how many times" establishes a rhythm of desperation and contemplation throughout the song. Staples poignantly asks how many trials she must endure, how many attempts she must make to rekindle something that seems to be fading. This refrain illustrates a cycle of hope and disappointment, examining the act of "crawling back" to someone who consistently fails to meet her needs. The metaphor of trying to light a candle in the wind represents the struggle to sustain hope in an unstable environment—an endeavor that feels nearly impossible against repeated challenges. It captures the essence of wanting to keep a flame of love or connection alive, juxtaposed with the harsh reality of enduring neglect.
Overall, "How Many Times" serves as a powerful exploration of a woman's emotional journey as she grapples with her love, respect, and relentless efforts to hold on to a relationship that is fraught with neglect. Through her earnest questions and vivid imagery, Staples gives voice to the universal struggle of seeking acknowledgment in a one-sided relationship. The repetition in her lyrics amplifies the emotional weight of the narrative, engaging listeners to reflect on their own experiences of longing for appreciation and understanding in their connections with others. The song ultimately leaves us pondering the limits of patience and the necessity of self-respect in the pursuit of genuine love.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times can you step?
What is the limit to the number of times one can endure hardship or distress before it becomes too much to bear?
How many times can you step
Repeated encounters with difficulty raise the question of endurance and resilience.
On a stone
Each step on this hard surface symbolizes the challenges in life that we continually face.
Before that stone showed some signs
Wondering how long it takes before the impact of our struggles manifests in significant ways.
That it′s been walked on?
A reflection on how abuse or neglect eventually reveals itself through wear and tear.
How much water can you pour?
How much effort or emotion can one invest in a situation before it becomes detrimental?
How much water can you pour
Reiterating the concern about the limits of generosity and the repercussions of overextending oneself.
In a boat
The metaphorical 'boat' represents relationships or situations that need balance and care.
Before that boat begin
Indicating the moment when the stress on a relationship becomes too burdensome to sustain.
Oh, begin to sink?
This questions when a relationship or situation becomes irreparably damaged.
And I'm going down fast
Acknowledging personal emotional decline in response to neglect and disrespect.
I can count on my fingers
Indicating that there are very few instances of kindness or regard from the other person.
The times you′ve shown me so much disrespect
Reflecting on the painful experiences of being undervalued in a relationship.
You do more for a total stranger
Highlighting the contrast between their treatment of her and how they treat others.
My faith is dying from too much neglect
Expressing a gradual loss of hope or belief due to ongoing emotional abandonment.
I wanna know how many, many, many
A sense of urgency to understand the extent of her suffering and what it will take to change things.
How many times, must I try?
Questioning how many attempts she will make to salvage a relationship that feels one-sided.
How many times, must I try?
Repeating the inquiry signifies her deep need for resolution and understanding.
Try to light, light a candle in the wind
Metaphorically, she is striving to maintain hope in an unstable or challenging environment.
How many times do you think that I'll come crawling, oh, back again?
Rhetorically asking how many more times she will return to someone who often disappoints her.
How many, how many, how many
Emphasizing the overwhelming nature of her questions as they accumulate.
How many times?
A direct plea for clarity and truth regarding her suffering.
Ooh I've got to know right now
An urgent call for answers reflects her desperation for change.
How many times must I cry?
Expressing sorrow over the emotional toll the situation has taken on her.
How many times?
Reaffirming her need for quantifiable justice and acknowledgment of her pain.
How many times, ooh
The repetition reinforces her turmoil, emphasizing her emotional exhaustion.
Do you think I'll come crawling back to you?
Challenging the listener to consider whether she will continue to endure similar treatment.
On my bended knees, yeah
Symbolizing deep humility as she reflects on her willingness to return despite the hurt.
How many times? Yeah
A final reiteration of her longing for answers about the frequency of her pain.
Writer(s): Terry Woodford, George Soule, Oscar George Franck
Contributed by Ava P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.