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
I Belong To The Band
Mavis Staples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What kind of band you talking about
Talking about that Christian band
I belong to the band, hallelu
Yes I belong to this band
Take care of that Christian belong to this band
If you belong to this band
And then all that you can write
Happen the be that a way
You know how to treat everybody you know
But you have to keep belonging to this band
What kind of band you talking about?
Talking about that Union band
Mean for you mean to get you
Talk about me just as much as you please
Talk about you down on my knees
I belong to the band hallelu
You gonna be talked about
I wanna know you ain't no better than Christ
You gonna be talked about anywhere you go
People gonna say all manner of things about you
But you gonna be belonging to the band
Going to heaven, gonna sit right down
Gonna ask my lord for a starry crown
Better get ready and get right for this band
Got to get right for this band
To belong to this band
The song “I Belong To The Band” by Mavis Staples is a gospel song that expresses devotion to the church, particularly to the Christian and Union band. The lyrics denote the importance of belonging to these religious groups and warn about the consequences of not getting right. The refrain “Hallelujah, Hallelujah I belong to the band, hallelu” is repeated throughout the song and highlights the joy in belonging to a community of believers. The first verse talks about belonging to the Christian band, which is important for spiritual strengthening. The second verse refers to the Union band, which signifies a political association of Black workers who fought for their rights during the early twentieth century.
The song emphasizes that belonging to the band requires one to get right and treat everyone with kindness. The lyrics reflect how belonging to the Christian and Union band was not just about personal faith but also about community-building, solidarity, and social justice. The song also addresses the likelihood of being talked about and the importance of not being better than Christ. The implication is that belonging to these bands requires humility, perseverance, and resistance to societal and personal failures. In conclusion, “I Belong To The Band” is a lively and hopeful song that celebrates the importance of belonging to a religious community and staying committed to the cause of justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Hallelujah, Hallelujah I belong to the band, hallelu
Expressing praise to belong to a specific Christian band.
What kind of band you talking about
Questioning which specific band is being referred to.
Talking about that Christian band
Answering that the band being referred to is of the Christian faith.
I belong to the band, hallelu
Reiterating the artist's belonging to the Christian band mentioned.
Yes I belong to this band
Confirming once again that the artist belongs to the specific Christian band.
Take care of that Christian belong to this band
Acknowledging the responsibility of being a part of this Christian band.
You got to get right
Emphasizing the need for proper behavior and conduct to belong to this Christian band.
If you belong to this band
Highlighting the requirement of being a part of this Christian band.
And then all that you can write
Suggesting that being a member of this Christian band reflects positively on one's character.
Happen the be that a way
Implying that it is natural for one's actions to reflect their membership in the Christian band.
You know how to treat everybody you know
Indicating that members of the Christian band are expected to treat others with respect and kindness.
But you have to keep belonging to this band
Stressing the importance of maintaining membership in the Christian band to continue exhibiting positive behavior.
Mean for you mean to get you
Suggesting that members of this Union band will come after those who do not belong to their group.
Talk about me just as much as you please
Acknowledging that people may still talk about members of the Christian band negatively, regardless of their positive actions.
Talk about you down on my knees
Praying for protection and guidance when faced with criticism or negativity from others.
You gonna be talked about
Reiterating that negative talk about members of the Christian band is unavoidable.
I wanna know you ain't no better than Christ
Expressing the humility expected of members of the Christian band, who understand that they are not above Jesus Christ himself.
Anywhere you go
Implying that negative talk about members of the Christian band will occur in any location.
People gonna say all manner of things about you
Further highlighting that negativity from others is unavoidable and may come in many forms.
But you gonna be belonging to the band
Assuring that despite negative talk, belonging to the Christian band is still a positive and worthwhile thing.
Going to heaven, gonna sit right down
Expressing the reward of eventually reaching heaven for members of the Christian band.
Gonna ask my lord for a starry crown
Expressing the desire of members of the Christian band to be rewarded for their faithful service to God.
Better get ready and get right for this band
Emphasizing the importance of righteous living and behaviors for Christian band members.
Got to get right for this band
Reiterating the requirement for proper behavior and conduct to properly belong to the Christian band.
Contributed by Samuel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.