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.
Joy to the World
The Staple Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world! the Savior reigns
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sound joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make
His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders and wonders of His love
The Staple Singers' version of "Joy to the World" is a joyful and hopeful hymn celebrating the arrival of the Lord. The song encourages listeners to prepare their hearts for the coming of the King, so that they may receive His blessings, and inspired by His love, let the praises ring throughout nature. It's a call to action to honor Him who came to teach, heal, and save those who were lost. The first and second verses encourage Earth to prepare for the arrival of the Lord and repeat the "sounding joy" of His coming. There is also an emphasis on bringing to an end the negativity on the earth, such as sins, sorrows, and thorns, by spreading hope and happiness in line with God's teachings. The last verse emphasizes that the Lord rules with both grace and truth, and how honoring Him can glorify His righteousness and love.
Overall, "Joy to the World" celebrates the submission to God's authority, the triumph over evil, and the hope that comes with the arrival of the Lord. The song's message encourages believers to live according to God's Word, which brings them fulfillment, happiness, and satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let us celebrate and rejoice, for the Lord has arrived
Let earth receive her King!
Let the world open up and accept its King, the Lord
Let every heart prepare Him room
Let us all make space in our hearts for the Lord
And heaven and nature sing
Even the heavens and nature join in celebrating the arrival of the Lord
And heaven and nature sing
Even the heavens and nature join in celebrating the arrival of the Lord
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing
Even the heavens and nature join in celebrating the arrival of the Lord
Joy to the world! the Savior reigns
Celebrate, for the Savior has taken control
Let men their songs employ
Men should use their voices to sing praises
While fields and floods
Let even the fields and the floods celebrate
Rocks, hills and plains
Even inanimate objects like rocks, hills and plains should join in rejoicing
Repeat the sounding joy
Let the joyful noise continue
Repeat the sounding joy
Let the joyful noise continue
Repeat, repeat the sound joy
Continue the celebratory noise
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Let us put a stop to sin and sadness
Nor thorns infest the ground
Let there be no more hardships or difficulties
He comes to make
The Lord has arrived to create
His blessings flow
Blessings will be abundant
Far as the curse is found
Blessings will reach as far as the curse has spread
Far as the curse is found
Blessings will reach as far as the curse has spread
Far as, far as the curse is found
Blessings will reach as far as the curse has spread
He rules the world with truth and grace
The Lord governs the world with honesty and kindness
And makes the nations prove
The nations will see the Lord's greatness
The glories of His righteousness
They will witness the Lord's goodness and justice
And wonders of His love
And they will be amazed by the Lord's love
And wonders of His love
And they will be amazed by the Lord's love
And wonders and wonders of His love
And they will be amazed, over and over again, by the Lord's love
Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carolina R.
Love 😍💚🇧🇷
Carolina R.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏