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.
THE WORLD
The Staple Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My mind holds this world in its hands
This world, this world, my mind holds this world
My mind holds this world in it's hands
And when I think about this world
I can shape it just like clay
I can make myself a Garden of Eden
This world, this world, my mind holds this world
My mind holds this world in its hands
This world, this world, my mind holds this world
My mind holds this world in its hands
And when I spin this world around
I can turn night into day
I can make myself a sunny tomorrow
Or bring back yesterday
Yesterday, I can bring back yesterday
This world, this world, my mind holds this world
My mind holds this world in its hands
This world, this world, my mind holds this world
My mind holds this world in its hands
The Staple Singers' song "The World" is a powerful statement about the power of one's mind to shape the world around them. The repetition of the phrase "my mind holds this world" throughout the song emphasizes the idea that the world we experience is largely a product of our own thoughts and perceptions. The lyrics suggest that we have the ability to shape our reality like clay - we can create paradise, or we can destroy everything.
The second stanza adds to this idea by showing that we have the power to turn night into day - again, emphasizing the idea that our thoughts have the power to shape our reality. We have the ability to create a better future for ourselves or to dwell on the past and bring it back - showing that our minds have the power to control both our present and our future.
Overall, "The World" is a powerful reminder that we have the ability to create a better world for ourselves simply by changing our own thoughts and perceptions. It's a call to be more mindful of how we view the world around us and to take responsibility for our own happiness and well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
This world, this world, my mind holds this world
The world is in my mind, and I have the power to shape it.
My mind holds this world in its hands
I have full control over the world that exists in my mind.
And when I think about this world
Whenever I reflect on the world in my mind,
I can shape it just like clay
I have the ability to mold and shape the world in any way I please.
I can make myself a Garden of Eden
I can create a paradise or utopia within my mind.
Or throw it all away
Alternatively, I can destroy everything I have created within my mind.
And when I spin this world around
When I think about the world in a different way or perspective,
I can turn night into day
I can transform negative aspects of the world into something positive.
I can make myself a sunny tomorrow
I have the power to envision a bright and hopeful future for myself.
Or bring back yesterday
I also have the power to revisit past experiences and memories in my mind.
Yesterday, I can bring back yesterday
The ability to recall and revisit past experiences is in my hands, too.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HENRY BINNS, SAM HARDAKER, OSMOND WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ohh
I used to just play this over and over.. I love this song.. that bass line is just wow
Sean Sherrod
RIGHT???!!!??
Norma Wells
Yes! That bass line is is just wow especially at 2:56
Donnell W
I would play this song for hours straight. It inspired me to learn how to play the bass just so I could play it.
Bickliffe Oba
This daddy and daughters! They took centre stage in dancehalls back in the day. We used to love their music; and I still do, in 2022.
AJ. McGowan
This song never received the accolades and recognition as some of their others but have no doubt it was just as powerful and inspirational
AJ. McGowan
This is a great song. It has been overlooked while others get all of the recognition. what a shame
prettycountrygirl2
Still sounding GREAT.ย May 13, 2020.
Brent Williams
RIP Pops, Cleotha, Yvonne! You will never be forgotten!!
Ethan Hill
Saw band on bill headlined by SLY & The FAMILY STONE at Madison Square Garden. Experience was life-affirming.