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.
Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas
The Staple Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(People all over the world forgot about merry)
Too busy fighting wars
Trying to make it to Mars
Searching for light and can't seem to find the right star
(Searching for light and can't seem to find the right star)
Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas
Too busy buying toys
Learning 'bout Santa's joy
Making believe He was just another baby boy
(Making believe He was just another baby boy)
Let's Put The Merry Back In Christmas (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)
Come on everyone (Let's have a Happy New Year)
Let's Put The Merry Back In Christmas (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)
Come on and join the fun
Let's Have a Happy (Have a Happy) Let's Have a Happy New Year
Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas
(People all over the world forgot about merry)
Too busy having fun
Drinking with everyone
Showing no respect for Mary's baby son
(Showing no respect for Mary's baby son)
Let's Put The Merry Back In Christmas (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)
Come on everyone (Let's have a Happy New Year)
Let's Put The Merry Back In Christmas (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)
Come on and join the fun
Let's Have a Happy (Have a Happy) Let's Have a Happy (Have a Happy)
Let's Put The Merry Back In Christmas (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)
Come on everyone (Let's have a Happy New Year)
Let's Put The Merry Back In Christmas (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)
Come on and join the fun
Let's Have a Happy (Have a Happy) Let's Have a Happy (Have a Happy)
Let's Have a Happy (Have a Happy)
Let's Have a Happy New Year!!
The Staple Singers' song "Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas" aims to criticize the forgetting of the true essence of Christmas. The lyrics suggest that people's priorities have shifted to the point where they have forgotten the joy and happiness that the holiday should bring. The first verse talks about people being too busy fighting wars, trying to make it to Mars, and searching for light but not finding the right star. These lines indicate that people have prioritized other things over the holiday season and are focused on bigger issues.
The second verse talks about people being too busy buying toys, learning about Santa, and making believe that he was just another baby boy, suggesting that people's view of Christmas has shifted from its original purpose. The third verse mentions people having fun drinking with everyone, showing no respect to Mary's baby son. These lines express disappointment at the disregard for the religious significance of the holiday.
Overall, the song is a call to action to put the merry back into Christmas and not forget the real meaning of the holiday. It urges people to join the fun and have a happy new year while remembering the essence of joy and love that surround the holiday.
Line by Line Meaning
Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas
People all over the world forgot about merry
Too busy fighting wars
People are too busy fighting wars to enjoy Christmas
Trying to make it to Mars
People are too caught up in their aspirations of space exploration to celebrate Christmas
Searching for light and can't seem to find the right star
People are searching for hope and guidance, but cannot seem to find it
Too busy buying toys
People are too busy buying materialistic items instead of enjoying the spirit of Christmas
Learning 'bout Santa's joy
People are caught up in the commercialized aspects of Christmas, forgetting its true meaning
Making believe He was just another baby boy
People are desensitized to the story of Jesus' birth
Let's Put The Merry Back In Christmas (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)
A call to bring the joy and happiness back to the holiday season
Come on everyone (Let's have a Happy New Year)
An invitation to celebrate the upcoming new year with happiness
Too busy having fun
People are too interested in their own pleasure and entertainment to celebrate Christmas
Drinking with everyone
People are indulging in alcohol and substance abuse instead of celebrating the holiday season
Showing no respect for Mary's baby son
People are disregarding the reverence and significance of Jesus' birth
Let's Have a Happy (Have a Happy) Let's Have a Happy New Year
An optimistic outlook towards the upcoming new year
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DEANIE PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aminah Shabazz
One of my faves! Holy Soul Saviours Day!!! 😘
Velma H
That's right who Merry out of Christmas. Right on point. I love this.
Andro Libre
whose the 4 who disliked this song!!!! If you aint tapping your foot ......you aint alive
Megurine Luka
My favorite song.
Jonathan Edwards
Merry Christmas House.
Melody Sanger
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2021
Susie Fairfield
💕💕🌎🌎🌹🌹🌹
Mayday51: Nostalgia and originals
That latest House of Fraser Christmas advert brought me here.
Portal Jumper
Mayday51: Nostalgia for Everyone! Me too!
Santos Jones
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 jesus