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
Security
Mavis Staples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want some security
I want security, yeah
Without it I'm at a great loss
Yes I am, now
Security, yeah, yeah
And I want it any cost, yes I do now
Don't want no money now
Don't want no pay
But with security, yeah, yeah
I'll have all these things
Yes, I will now
Security, yeah
That's all I want from you
Yes, I do now
Talkin' bout security, yeah, yeah
And a little love that'll be true
Right now
Your sweet lips, you know
They tell me
That you're the one for me
Darlin', how can I forget now?
How can I forget?
Yeah
Security is what I want right now
Your love is all right
But I need a little more honey
I cant spend your love
At the grocery store
I need security, right now
Security, yeah
I tell you once again
Yes I will now
Talkin' about security, yeah
And I want it to the end, yes I do
Your sweet tender lips, you know
They tell me
That you're the one for me
Darling, how can I forget now?
How can I forget?
Yeah
Security, yeah, security is what I want
In "Security," Mavis Staples sings about wanting more than just love from her partner. She wants security, which she defines as something that will bring her a sense of safety and stability in her life. She acknowledges that while love is important, it cannot sustain her in material ways. She doesn't want money or material possessions, but rather the peace of mind that comes with knowing she has a partner who will support her and provide for her in times of need. This sentiment is expressed through the lines, "Don’t want no money now/ Don’t want no pay/ But with security, yeah, yeah/ I'll have all these things."
Staples' longing for security is rooted in a deeper societal issue of economic instability and a lack of safety nets for marginalized communities, which she addresses in her powerful, soulful voice. She is calling for a world where everyone has access to basic needs like security, and this song makes a statement about the need for providing for one another in a society that often values individualism over community.
Line by Line Meaning
Security, yeah yeah
The singer is emphasizing on the importance of security.
I want some security
The singer desires the feeling of being secure.
I want security, yeah
The singer wants the freedom from insecurity.
Without it I'm at a great loss
The singer feels incomplete without security.
Yes I am, now
The singer emphasizes the importance of security to their own well-being.
And I want it any cost, yes I do now
The singer is willing to pay any price for security.
Don't want no money now
The singer does not desire money as much as security.
Don't want no pay
The singer does not need to get paid if they can have security.
But with security, yeah, yeah
The singer acknowledges that having security can bring them other things besides money.
I'll have all these things
They can obtain everything they need with security.
Yes, I will now
The singer emphasizes the certainty of having everything they need with security.
That's all I want from you
The singer asks for security from someone else.
Talkin' 'bout security, yeah, yeah
The singer repeats the importance of security in their life.
And a little love that'll be true
Besides security, the singer desires honest and genuine love.
Right now
The singer emphasizes the urgency of their desires.
Your sweet lips, you know
The singer addresses their lover.
They tell me
The singer emphasizes how their lover makes them feel secure and loved.
That you're the one for me
The singer has found someone who they believe can provide them with the security and love they need.
Darlin', how can I forget now?
The singer expresses gratitude towards their lover for providing them with security and love.
Security is what I want right now
The singer's desire for security is an immediate need.
But I need a little more honey
The singer acknowledges that their lover's love alone isn't sufficient for their needs.
I can't spend your love at the grocery store
The singer points out how love alone cannot satisfy their physical needs or earn them security.
And I want it to the end, yes I do
The singer's desire for security is not temporary, but everlasting.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULE STYNE, SAMMY CAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind