The family began appearing in Chicago-area churches in 1948, and signed their first professional contract in 1952. They signed with United Records, then Vee-Jay, Riverside, Epic and, eventually, the black-owned indie Stax Records label where they hit their most fertile commercial peak.
In 1967, on Columbia subsidiary Epic, the Staple Singers first began moving into mainstream pop markets with "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)" and "For What It's Worth" (written by Stephen Stills). In 1968, the Staple Singers signed to Stax and released two albums recorded with Steve Cropper of Booker T & the MG's fame - Soul Folk in Action and We'll Get Over. By 1970, Al Bell had become producer, and the family began recording at the famed Muscle Shoals studio, moving in a more funk and soul direction. The first Stax hit was "Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)". In 1972, the group had a No. 1 hit in the United States with "I'll Take You There." Their 1972 recording on Stax of "Respect Yourself," written by Luther Ingram and Mack Rice, was number 2 on the R&B charts and a Top 40 pop hit as well. The song's theme of self-empowerment had universal appeal, released in the period immediately following the intense American civil rights movement of the 1960s. During this Stax period they appeared at a 1972 summer concert at the LA Memorial Coliseum attended by 100,000 people and documented in the 1973 film and soundtrack album Wattstax.
The Staple Singers then signed to Curtom, Curtis Mayfield's imprint, and released the soundtrack to a comedy film co-starring Bill Cosby called "Let's Do It Again". The soundtrack was produced by Mayfield; and the title song was a huge hit in 1975. After this, however, they were not able to regain their commercial momentum, releasing occasional minor hits, and moving from label to label including Warner Brothers and 20th Century before returning to Epic in the mid 80s. Lead singer Mavis Staples began a fruitful solo career in earnest that continues to this day and involves live performing with her sister Yvonne Staples. The other daughters in the group who did not pursue solo careers were Pervis Staples, and Cleotha Staples.
In 1994, the family made this final recording of a duet with Mary Stuart (reprising their Last Watz style backing on a cover of "The Weight" by The Band), somewhat re-establishing an audience.
Pops Staples died in December 2000.
Cleotha Staples died in Chicago on February 21, 2013.
Yvonne Staples died in April 2018 and Pervis Staples in May 2021.
Be What You Are
The Staple Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to live a risking life
Don't go out and buy a Cadillac
If you know your money ain't right
Fun is so much easier
When within your mean
If you can't afford caviar
I'm not trying to tell you how to do it
I'm only saying put some thought into it
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Just because you made this child
Attend some private school
You try to send yours
Knowing only time will really might able to
Don't try to live like a king, yeah
On a poor mans take
That's one reason there are so many
People are hurting today, Lord
I'm not trying to tell you how to do it
I'm only saying put some thought into it
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Don't try to live this high
When you see your boss man do, yeah
Just remember you work for him
And he don't work for you
It was something that you want, oh
And you know you can't afford it
Don't be ashamed to a put a lid down on it
[Incomprehensible] hold it, yeah
I'm not trying to tell you how to do it
I'm only saying put some thought into it
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
Be what you are, my friend
And live the life
The Staple Singers’ song “Be What You Are” is a call for people to live their lives in accordance with who they truly are, rather than trying to live beyond their means and social status. The song encourages listeners to not be ashamed of their financial situations and to not try to live like someone they are not. It urges them to enjoy life within their means, by not buying expensive goods that would only leave them in debt, but to live their life how they want, without trying to be somebody else.
The lyrics warn that trying to live a life beyond one's means will only lead to financial difficulties and stress, and that it’s best to enjoy life and be content with what you have. The song is ultimately about embracing and accepting oneself and living life on one’s own terms.
“Be What You Are” is a timeless song that encourages people to be authentic to themselves and to never forget where they came from.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh man, you heard enough
You have already been exposed to enough harmful ideas.
Trying to live a risking life
Attempting to live recklessly.
Don't go out and buy a Cadillac
Do not make extravagant purchases.
If you know your money ain't right
If you know you cannot afford it.
Fun is so much easier
It is easier to have fun.
When within your mean
When you stay within your financial capabilities.
If you can't afford caviar
If you cannot afford luxury food.
Don't be ashamed to eat pork and beef, yeah
You should not feel bad about eating simpler foods.
I'm not trying to tell you how to do it
I am not attempting to dictate how you live.
I'm only saying put some thought into it
I am simply recommending that you consider the consequences of your actions.
Be what you are, my friend
Accept yourself for who you are.
And live the life
And enjoy your life.
Just because you made this child
Just because you were able to send a child to a private school.
Attend some private school
Does not mean you should put your child in one.
You try to send yours
You may try to send your child.
Knowing only time will really might able to
Knowing that time will tell if that was the right decision.
Don't try to live like a king, yeah
You should not try to live like royalty.
On a poor mans take
On a low-paying salary.
That's one reason there are so many
This is one of the reasons why there are so many.
People are hurting today, Lord
People are struggling today, my Lord.
Don't try to live this high
Do not try to live beyond your means.
When you see your boss man do, yeah
Just because your boss does it.
Just remember you work for him
Remember that you work for your boss.
And he don't work for you
Your boss does not work for you.
It was something that you want, oh
It may be something that you desire.
And you know you can't afford it
But you know that you cannot afford it.
Don't be ashamed to a put a lid down on it
Do not feel ashamed to say 'no' to it.
[Incomprehensible] hold it, yeah
Hold onto your financial stability.
Be what you are, my friend
Accept yourself for who you are.
And live the life
And enjoy your life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARL MITCHELL HAMPTON, HOMER BANKS, RAYMOND E. JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Bravo
"I'm not trying to tell you how to do it
I'm only saying put some thought into it"
Just pure gold.
Tyslene Bryant
I love this song by the Staple Singer’s
Marilyn Higginbotham
Absolutely beautiful True song. ❤️💯
Benjamin Samuel
The staples songs are always ever fresh and refreshing
Marcelo B
Best Staples output is definitely on Stax
Edward Morgan
Gem 💎.......
Rosanne Storms
Anyway to add lyrics to video. I'm a true music child. It's in my DNA. I work with kids, real hard kids. Music is the doctor, for sure. It allows us a great opportunity and place to meet...lyrics are as important as the music...it's a REALLY quick way to develop a great rapport with a kid or a group of them! Thanks for uploading it! Great message!
Jeff Beard
Listen to some good old school I just feel compelled to share
Josephus D. Patterson
great music/I need music I can play offline/music playlist
kaharold
Don't go out And Buy A Cadillac , If you know your Money Ain't Right... POPS IS A GENIUS !!