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.
Uncloudy Day
The Staple Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And they tell me of a home far away
They tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise
They tell me of an unclouded day
The land of cloudless days
The land of an unclouded sky
They tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise
In The Staple Singers' song "Uncloudy Day," the lyrics speak of a hope for an eventual afterlife free from the troubles and turmoil of this world. With mentions of a home beyond the skies and far away, the song offers a sense of comfort and optimism beyond the struggles of the present moment. The idea of a land of cloudless days and an unclouded sky is a metaphor for a place where there is no chaos, pain or difficulties. The repeated refrain invites the listener to imagine what it would be like to reside in a world that is free from the storm clouds of life, a place where true peace and joy can be experienced.
The messaging of this song has a strong significance in gospel and Christian faiths. It speaks of the hope and faith in a life beyond death, where one can leave behind the burdens of this world and be relieved of physical pain, emotional distress, and social and economic injustice. The song's lyrics encourage the listener to remember that although there may be hardships in this life, they are only temporary and that there is a better future ahead. "Uncloudy Day" inspires the listener to keep looking up and keep the faith in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
They tell me of a home far beyond the skies
They talk about a place that is very far away, beyond the atmosphere and the stars, and unreachable by normal means of travel.
And they tell me of a home far away
People inform me about a place that is out of reach, very distant, and not close to where I am presently.
They tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise
They describe a place where there are no gray skies, no natural disasters, no tragedies, and no chaos.
They tell me of an unclouded day
They talk about a bright future, where everything is going to be perfect, joyful, and trouble-free.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ROEBUCK STAPLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Resh Samech
"Uncloudy Day" was an early influence on Bob Dylan, who said of it in 2015, "It was the most mysterious thing I'd ever heard... I'd think about them even at my school desk...Mavis looked to be about the same age as me in her picture (on the cover of "Uncloudy Day")...Her singing just knocked me out...And Mavis was a great singer—deep and mysterious. And even at the young age, I felt that life itself was a mystery"
Arthro92
He also proposed to Mavis.
Aquilla Winborne
I just looked this album up can't believe I found it! My mom used play this when I was a young girl. It brings back so many memories of her...Oh how I love the Lord, and I love youtube for being able to find these precious songs that you can no longer find in stores...I thank God for youtube!!!
Marcia Bridges
What a beautiful song my mom & I often played of the Staple Singers that brings Joy inside my tears...😇❣❣❣
Alberico Alessandro
Maravilhoso...agradeço a Deus por ter escutado tanta música boa na minha vida.
TheSalimkh
Found this gem whilst researching Civil Rights songs such as the popular Sam Cookes 'A change is gonna come'. Wow, I am truly amazed at how many fantastic songs and singers I missed out on having been born too late in the 80s. Thank you for sharing ❤
Nilaiah Harris-Jones
Beautifully done by the legendary Staple Singers
#RIP Pops Staples🙏🙌🎶🎶❤️❤️😭
RichardFeynmanRules
Such a beautiful, beautiful song...and the heavenly singing. ❤️❤️❤️
Star Diaz
2 decades or so ago my grandma use to play this song but I never thought about the song til a random day maybe a year ago… now I can’t stop listening.
357CLOUDY Black Feather
Love this song.