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 Like The Things About Me
Mavis Staples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What did i see a brand new image
Of the same old me ohhhh
But now i wonder why should i be surprised
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me that i once despised
There was a time
When i wished my hair was fine
And i can remember when
I wished my lips were thin
Oh but now i wonder why should i be surprised
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me that i once despised
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me that i once despised
Makes no difference now y'all
How you may feel
I've done reached the point
Where i wanna be real
I'm tired of living living in disguise
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me that i once despised
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me that i once despised
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me
I like the things about me that i once despised
The lyrics to "I Like The Things About Me" by Mavis Staples expresses self-love and acceptance, as the singer looks in the mirror and sees a brand new image of the same old self. The song speaks to the journey of self-discovery, as the singer reflects on a time when she wished her hair was fine and her lips were thinner. However, she has now reached a point where she wants to be real and accept the things about herself that she once despised. She is no longer living in disguise and is proud of who she is.
The lyrics convey a powerful message about accepting oneself, despite the pressure to conform to societal standards. Staples encourages her listeners to embrace all aspects of themselves, even the ones that they once considered flaws. Through self-love and acceptance, an individual can find happiness and inner peace.
The upbeat and soulful melody of the song adds to its empowering message, making it a feel-good anthem for anyone struggling with self-image.
Line by Line Meaning
I looked in the mirror
I took a moment to examine myself
What did i see a brand new image
I saw myself in a different light
Of the same old me ohhhh
Despite the new perspective, I am still fundamentally the same person
But now i wonder why should i be surprised
I question why I should be shocked by my newfound self-acceptance
I like the things about me
I have come to appreciate certain aspects of myself
I like the things about me that i once despised
I have learned to love qualities in myself that I previously hated
There was a time
In the past,
When i wished my hair was fine
I used to desire straight hair
And i can remember when
I recall a time when
I wished my lips were thin
I wanted thinner lips
Makes no difference now y'all
It does not matter anymore
How you may feel
What others think of me is irrelevant
I've done reached the point
I have come to a point in my life
Where i wanna be real
Where I want to be honest and true to myself
I'm tired of living living in disguise
I am exhausted from pretending to be someone I am not
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nancyfoix2197
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalms 139:14 KJV
This is why
I love the things
about me
that I used to despise.
If God loves me,
The way I am.
Why shouldn't I?
Yes, why shouldn't I?
@kandauelliot1742
This song had a freshness to it I can't explain.
@martinobrien7110
YOU ARE RIGHT , THIS SONG WOULD SOUND VERY DIFFERENT WITH ANOTHER SINGER .
@LuckyCharmVision1
The Freshness is the uniqueness. It is always refreshing to hear or see something that is not like everything else.
@nancyfoix2197
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalms 139:14 KJV
This is why
I love the things
about me
that I used to despise.
If God loves me,
The way I am.
Why shouldn't I?
Yes, why shouldn't I?
@sevimofkeli9932
u watched the The Bear and u like the outro
@peaceinjesuschrist4987
First time hearing them this morning, love them... God bless them, keep singing for the Lord. I like me too since Jesus set me free 😊
@spikethepenguin9885
End credits of The Bear season 2, episode 3, thank you <3
@leogeee1
Happy 75th Birthday, Ms. Mavis. (Yes, it was last week!:)
I could listen to you all day long. (Still)
@irenicumirenicum1199
This is, by far, my favorite song from this amazing album!
@trappist07
Atmospherically bewitching. Rated by BBC Blues DJ as one of his favourite tracks of 2013 on his end of year show last night.