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
Jaguar
Mavis Staples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna try and do my best
I'm gonna use speed and finesse
I'm gonna getcha, getcha
Like a jaguar runnin' through the night
I'm gonna hunt you down, I'm gonna strike
If I have 2 chase you 4 the rest of my life
Jaguar I am and you are mine
Jaguar ? she loves a body fine
In heat, in love, in out, in time
Jaguar I am and you are mine
Like a burnin' sun in the noon sky
This kitty wants your body fine
Sure as 3 x 3 is 9
I'm gonna make that body mine
Jaguar
Jaguar
In heat, in love, in out, in time
Jaguar I am and you are mine
Oh yeah
Jaguar I am and you are mine
Jaguar ? she loves a body fine
Like a lion lives so he can roar
That's what it is, baby ? it's you I'm living 4
I'm gonna getcha, I'm gonna getcha, that's a bet!
'cause if I don't getcha in this life, baby (If I don't getcha in this life)
If I don't getcha in this life, baby (If I don't getcha in this life)
I'll get you in the next
Jaguar
Jaguar
Jaguar
Jaguar I am and you are mine
Jaguar ? she loves a body fine
In heat, in love, in out, in time
Jaguar I am and you are mine
Sho'mon
Sho'mon
Sho'mon
Like a hunter in the wilderness
I'm gonna getcha
Meow
Meow
Jaguar
I'm gonna getcha, getcha
I'm gonna getcha
In the song "Jaguar" by Mavis Staples, the singer compares herself to a jaguar, a predatory animal that embodies power, speed, and strength. The lyrics are about chasing, hunting, and capturing the prey, which can be interpreted as pursuing a romantic interest. Staples sings about doing her best to catch her target, using speed and finesse, and chasing them relentlessly. She is determined to make her love interest hers and claims that, like a jaguar in the wilderness, she won't stop until she succeeds.
Staples also sings about being in heat, in love, in out, and in time, suggesting that her feelings for the person she's pursuing are powerful and all-consuming. The lyrics "Jaguar I am and you are mine" reflect her ownership and possession of the person she desires, highlighting the intensity of her passion.
Overall, the song "Jaguar" by Mavis Staples is a brash and confident declaration of love, with Staples comparing herself to one of the most powerful animals in the wild to express her determination and desire for her love interest.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a hunter in the wilderness
Mavis is going to pursue her target like a hunter in the wilderness.
I'm gonna try and do my best
Mavis is going to give her best effort in her pursuit.
I'm gonna use speed and finesse
Mavis is going to use both swiftness and precision to achieve her goal.
I'm gonna getcha, getcha
Mavis is going to catch her target by any means necessary.
Like a jaguar runnin' through the night
Mavis is likening herself to a jaguar, running through the night with the same agility and strength.
I'm gonna hunt you down, I'm gonna strike
Mavis is going to hunt and attack her target with precision and efficiency.
If I have 2 chase you 4 the rest of my life
Mavis will do whatever it takes to catch her target, even if it means a lifelong pursuit.
Jaguar I am and you are mine
Mavis is asserting her dominance and ownership over her target as a jaguar would with its prey.
Jaguar ? she loves a body fine
Mavis is acknowledging that as a jaguar, she appreciates and seeks out a strong and attractive body.
In heat, in love, in out, in time
Mavis will pursue her target through all states - lust, love, and beyond - until she prevails.
Like a burnin' sun in the noon sky
Mavis is comparing her fiery desire to the burning sun in the sky.
This kitty wants your body fine
Mavis desires her target's strong and attractive body.
Sure as 3 x 3 is 9
Mavis is certain that she will achieve her goal, like the certainty of 3 x 3 equaling 9.
I'm gonna make that body mine
Mavis is determined to make the target's body hers and claim it as her own.
Like a lion lives so he can roar
Mavis is comparing her pursuit to a lion's need to roar and assert dominance.
That's what it is, baby ? it's you I'm living 4
Mavis is living for her pursuit of this target and making them hers.
I'm gonna getcha, I'm gonna getcha, that's a bet!
Mavis is so certain of her success that she is willing to make a bet on it.
'cause if I don't getcha in this life, baby (If I don't getcha in this life)
Mavis is determined to catch her target in this lifetime, but if she doesn't, she'll keep trying in the next.
I'll get you in the next
Mavis is willing to continue pursuing her target in another life if necessary.
Sho'mon
A call to action for the listener to come along with Mavis on this pursuit.
Meow
An imitation of a cat's cry, perhaps symbolizing Mavis's jaguar-like qualities.
Jaguar
Reiteration of Mavis's claim to being a jaguar, a strong and skilled predator.
I'm gonna getcha, getcha
Mavis is going to catch her target, no matter what.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thomas Murphy
This album is NOT available on SPOTIFY! Prince produced this. A great, great album...and a great, great lady.
Douglas Holland
gotta get a vinyl copy fer me, no other way :P
Douglas Holland
totally awesome ....this woman can do no wrong!!!!!
Rich Matthews
Wow - I didn't know this was originally intended for Sheena Easton but I could see her doing this well (this came out about the same time as her "Lover In Me" album & would've worked next to "101") although I think it's perfect for Mavis, especially with her gravelly voice and her "meows" near the end. :) Actually, the entire "Time Waits For No One" album is REALLY good - the 1st track, "Interesting" has one of the best opening verses for a song: "Like a bad politician u walked in2 the room..."
thejukejoint
One of my favorite Mavis album.
Lawrence Ali
The combination of Mavis Staples and Prince is on precedent it is just unreal it's just incredible. Prince has the golden touch with Ms. Staples is electrifying.
steve christian
I saw her do this live on Letterman back in '89and it was HOT! can't find this album or song on itunes
Clark Simmons
I played this CD until the music wouldn't play anymore. I love me some Ms. Mavis Staples
jonathan dow
The composition and artistry of course the lyrics 💜
Patricia Meier
Written by our Prince!!