First Time Hearing The Staple Singers - “I'll Take You There” Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@kathyk5319]

Mavis Staples, the eighth wonder of the world.

[@johnthegreek5836]

Definitely

[@angelathomas3339]

She is definitely one of my favorite female singers of all time!!

[@IsaacDDuke]

Oh mmm. Aah. Yeah. You right sista.

[@TheDivayenta]

And I was lucky enough to see this gem live last February!!!!❤❤❤ She’s saying “ Daddy” because it’s her Pops on that guitar! Mavis was a key figure during the Civil Rights Movement with MLK. They were great friends. THE Staples sang at many key gatherings. And yes they spoke out against racial injustice!!! They’re from Chicago. “ I’ll Take You There” is about taking you to that “ better place” where harmony and justice dwell.

[@glennburch1081]

I was a teenager when this song hit the air waves in 1972. It was written by Alvertis Isbell (Al Bell) and originally performed by the Staple Singers with that soulful, sultry, magical voice of Mavis Staple singing the lead. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 weeks and made it all the way to the top. Still, today, one of my all time favorite songs. I had the honor of seeing Mavis Staples when she appeared at a Bonnie Raitt concert in Virginia Beach 8-9 years ago. Great reaction guys, TY.

[@NeptuneLady1957]

Me too❤️❤️❤️.

[@true1evanique]

The Staple Singers were a gospel group that took their music into r&b to sing their message without singing pure gospel. "I'll Take You There", is referring to heaven.

[@charlessarver8350]

Ya think? No smiling faces, lying to the races is heaven? I use to think that but actually listening along with this video seems like she's talking about politicians in DC. Nobody crying, nobody worried. no smilin faces lyin to the races.

[@true1evanique]

@@charlessarver8350 I'm not religious so I can't see heaven as being a place, but more so a state of elevated consciousness rising above "smiling faces, lying to the races". In someway I like to think that's what the message of the song is leaning to.

[@spookym123]

@@charlessarver8350 Sounds like she's talking about both, to me.

[@surlechapeau]

Asia & BJ, you’ll love their “Respect Yourself” and Let's Do It Again!! In 2020 Mavis at 80yrs young, she sang Purple Rain at the Prince tribute!!! Its on KZbin.

[@kennethbolar4741]

The Staple Singers were a family group. Dad, son & daughters. Love!

[@nettiemac]

I LOVE the Staples Singers. Sister Mavis takes me to church every time and it’s a good kind.

[@marthaz]

Nobody sounds like the Staple Singers. Nooooo body. 😅🔥 Mavis has a unique sound, the group is legendary. She and Prince collaborated. Staple's song, "Respect Yourself," should be a daily vitamin for every human being on the planet. 🔥 Some of the biggest Legends on your list tonight young'uns 😂 she's singing about a more just, loving world. They don't just sing gospel in church, they carry the message to others that we could create a more heavenly place here on Earth. Some of us has been marching and singing and praying for that for about fifty or sixty years now. 🌈

[@TheDivayenta]

Amen to that!❤

[@johneldridge8678]

This is the most soulful song I've ever heard. If not the most, for sure one of the most soulful songs EVER.

[@jananderson3853]

There is "heaven". There are no struggles in heaven. No crying, no worries, no lying! Freedom is represented in music by the way it makes you move & groove! The different instruments blending represent different races blending and cooperating in peace, love and joy.

[@rs-ye7kw]

Since the Staple Singers started out as a gospel group before somewhat crossing over to the blues/rock genre, I always thought that this song was meant as an "invitation" to join them in their beliefs that would led us to a better place (heaven).

[@IrishKack]

That breathy voice of hers is unmatched.

[@harpergras]

A long time iconic group...They never get old...So many great songs.

[@kimberly3131]

You can feel this music flowing through your soul. Your body sways and reacts to it without conscious thought. Then the vocals start registering and you can't help but smile because Mavis's voice goes straight to your heart. Her family helps make it all perfect. Warms me, soothes my soul and brings a tear sometimes.

[@barrywhite828]

"if you listen to the words you are sad. if you listen to the music, you are happy" this song brings it all together

[@jimilemons7680]

It’s a gospel song that basically means through faith you can overcome your circumstance - everyone is equal in heaven. They are more of a Memphis and Chicago band, they were more associated with STAX (Memphis) than Muscle Shoals. Watch the documentary about STAX, black and white musicians playing together, touring together - Otis Redding, Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, Isaac Hayes, David Porter, and the list goes on. ‘No Smilin’ Faces’ can only be understood with the next part of the phrase ‘Lyin’ To the Races’ - it means in heaven all that deceit goes away.

[@eddiemi]

2:40 David Hood (father of Drive-By Trucker's Patterson Hood) played bass on this.

[@johnbaugh6978]

David is still here in Muscle Shoals, still playing. I think he is the only musician still alive that played on that record.

[@mizzcarla7191]

Absolutely NO ONE sounds like Mavis Staples..YES !!!

[@barblessable]

"Aint no smilin' faces lying to the races ," great line , Mavis is fantastic.

[@susanmcewan302]

Best voice this side of heaven! Such a blessing to be so privileged to hear her beautiful voice!

[@atuuschaaw]

Love! Love! Love! ♥♥♥ That beautiful Memphis Stax sound with Al Bell's touch.

[@dlewis5631]

Recorded at Muscle Shoals with the "Swampers" , the all white studio musicians that played on many Aretha Franklin, Wilson Puckett and other R and B artists during the 60s and 70s. The famous line from "Sweet Home Alabama", Muscle Shols has got the Swampers!

[@datsunjunkie]

the whole band was white...drummer, uitar, bass...keys. awesome tune

[@mic1240]

One of many great groups and family of singers from Chicago, decades of entertaining audiences

[@zelstephen]

I was really impressed with you both when Aja mentioned Muscle Schools. Some of the greatest music came out of there for black and white. I'm 64 and impressed youngsters

[@rubynelson8274]

One of my all time favorite groups. Funky, soulful and able to get their gospel message across without preaching. Graet music, message.

[@GinaGeeILuvu]

This song, released in 1972, to me is talking about taking you somewhere spiritually! The smiling faces lying to the races are likes politicians and the powers that be! Also, the Civil Rights movement was heavy in the south because of Jim Crow but black people all over the country were experiencing racism and the fight in the south benefited blacks all over the country! It was the work done in the south by marching and boycotts and sit ins and numerous other protests that got the Civil Rights Bill passed! So blacks in the south were heroes in my opinion because they risked their lives for the benefit of all!❤❤

[@philliptaylor4345]

You are half right, it also meant place of peace and everyone got along

[@MrDJROGERS]

Mavis Staples one of the Finest most soulful vocalist ever born.

[@Carson_Blu]

Oh yes!!! My wife and I put together a playlist for our wedding two years ago, and this one made it to our playlist to play during our reception. So, this song makes me smile when it comes on during my music shuffle. Also, it's a good travel/road trip jam btw. Great reaction to soulful voices that just makes you feel great!

[@pamstuckey8349]

Brought back some special memories for me. I"m a child of the sixties AND the daughter of white Civil Rights Activist who was at the Mall in DC when MLK gave his famous speech. This song will never get old and moves me every time I hear it. I really appreciate you listening to this song

[@bigdaddyeb56]

Nobody can Beat Mavis Staples Voice !!! Rock On !!!!

[@richardlewismcmullen5980]

Brings a smile to my face

[@andyman58]

The Staples Singers are taking you to heaven. That's the message.

[@barrywhite828]

maam. the more you listened, the more you smiled. THATS music done right.

[@rosemarywatson1231]

This was the jam in the back. Respect yourself was cold blooded too. But I first heard The Staples as a gospel group. My father played a lot of gospel music but he played their secular music too.

[@bradleypaulus2926]

Love her voice and how she sings. I could listen to her all day.

[@Steely_Fran]

That bass line was played by David Hood of the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

[@eddyblackburn8092]

Thank God they had the gospel roots they started with and continued but branches out and made hits ! What a group ! I was small kid when their hits was all over billboard ! Also , “ let’s do it again” a super hit by them! Love y’all ! Eddy from Myrtle Beach SC

[@NeptuneLady1957]

Chicago’s own❤️❤️❤️Daddy was a fine man in his day!

[@ajcbng8289]

YES, please. I danced with my mommy in the living room to the staples singers

[@gpxo11]

Respect Yourself by the Staples is also fire! This song is talking about salvation and Heaven's rewards. song was released in late 1971. The Stax label, based in Memphis was staffed by the house band Booker T & the MG's (Memphis Guitars)

[@johnbaugh6978]

(Memphis Group)

[@jeraldkimball494]

I've always been such a huge fan of this group. They were otherworldly. OMG

[@Bennromansince1955]

Sista Maple was honkin' down on this song; got that gospel "church music" vibe going; loved it way back in '73 when I was a HS senior and still love it today!! OH, and I agree, the song if built around that cool base riff!!

[@christianmattison6096]

Thank you for reacting to this. I remember when this came out. I was a kid in school, not knowing how naive I was. Mavis' full, deep, soulful voice and supporting instrumentals are infections. The sound alone touches so deeply. But I have to confess, I never really paid attention to the words until this reaction video. That along with your input help me to appreciate the depth and gravity of this song in a way I never would have considered before. Thank you so much.

[@Cheryltwin2012]

I always loved this song, though it came out when I was only eleven and didn't understand the lyrics very much. I hadn't heard it in many years until it was featured in "Secretariat". The Staples Singers were a great family group that everyone loved, black or white. She sings with such conviction and emotion. Her name is Mavis Staples. She has a very distinctive voice, for sure!

[@billmavin6203]

Absolutely brilliant. You are right, the bass is fabulous.

[@jaedo6180]

I am truly amazed that this is the first time you are hearing this classic song! One of my favorite old skool reggae songs samples the intro.

[@djmoreorless]

The bass line is copied from the Jamaican hit song 'The Liquidator' by the Harry J All-Stars which the songwriter Al Bell heard on a trip to the island. There was no sampling in old school reggae. However, old school reggae itself has been sampled. The line 'I am the Magnificent' for example from the Dave (Barker) and Ansel Collins song 'Double Barrell' has been sampled a lot

[@jaedo6180]

@djmoreorless yup, Harry J. There's a Tony Scott lyrical version that I really like, too!

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

You two need to make a little room back there so you guys can dance along to these great tunes! Sometimes ya gotta groove !

[@lynnerapping7725]

Have loved this song since it was released! Classic! 💖

[@htbald1]

Mavis Staples gives it ip in the soul department, y'all need to check out The Staple Singers " Respect yourself" it's 🔥

[@Peggi109]

Love Staple Singers so much!!!✌Look for Respect Yourself by the Staple Singers. Love that song, too.

[@mrnobody9104]

One of the greatest songs ever written and performed. The bass is perfect...and Mavis ❤

[@denroy3]

No, it's not. Great song, but the writing is sparse...

[@mrnobody9104]

@@denroy3 good 4 u in my world less is more!

[@johnthegreek5836]

Love The Staples especially Mavis Staples has a voice of Gold, I want Mavis to sing at my funeral

[@ErikJan4242]

Mavis Staple is something else! She's a force of nature...There are some 'sample-bits' of this song in Salt N Pepa's - Let'S Talk About Sex (1990)

[@happymethehappyone8300]

The Staple Singers "Respect Yourself & "Uncloudy Day"...Nuff Said.

[@channelthree9424]

I remember this. We have the album. I was about nine years old. It wasn’t a protest song. It was just a song that was uplifting and giving positive vibes.

[@channelthree9424]

The staple singers were very active during the 70s which was after the civil rights movement had ended. This song came out in 1972.

[@mariaportengen2959]

Reminds me of my disco days, where we danced at this great record! 🎶🎶❤️❤️👍

[@kellypickle]

Gospel protest ALBUM!!!!! Soul Folk In Action! Not just that. No. It is a fantastic album in its own right. Every song will blow you away! Not just the lyrics, which are so good. But musically. Superb. I am admittedly a godless heathen. But mavis can take me to church anyday. ❤ Album has been in my rotation for 3 decades.

[@johnlong9534]

One of my all time favorite songs . . . it is still on my list, Respect Yourself. RIH Pops

[@raycrawley1290]

The Staple Singers....original gospel family group...father 3 daughters....backed by the Muscle Shoals group...4 to 5 white guys that the studio owner got from the neighborhood...listen to "Respect Youself"

[@DouglasRichey-fj1tu]

And this is why I watch your show 🫠😀😄😃😀🤓😁

[@barrywhite828]

get em pops!

[@JimmyBahia]

From the South but ended up on the southside of Chicago, my hometown. Saw them at the famous "Wattstax Festival" in L.A.

[@monsterkhan3414]

Another great piece of music by The Staple Singers is a piece they call "Chase". It's just music and was used for the film "Let's Do It Again", but it's an awesome piece of music from the 70s with a great beat.

[@WMalven]

"Ain't no smiling faces, lying to the races." A reference to the Temptations song, "Smiling Faces Sometimes."

[@suzanneprock7286]

In the late 60's and early 70's, there were alot of songs made from movements with a message.

[@cog4life]

Muscle Shoals music sound was awesome for sure!!

[@floridahiker1503]

It's the message delivered with soul.

[@denroy3]

Another great Muscle Shoals track...Wilson Pickett's cover of 'Hey Jude', with Duane Allman on guitar Allman was working as a session player there after a band break up...right before the Allman Brothers. Famously, Duane talked Wilson into the cover, though Pickett thought doing the Beatles wasn't a good fit. It's awesome.

[@bbqujeh]

I had no idea this song was about black versus white struggles of the 60s, we had the colored water fountains, colored only entrances, but being so young I had idea there was a difference between us.

[@SBel65]

I had this 45 and played it constantly!

[@AP-gb3eh]

A family that sang together for their entire life creating a unique and beautiful sound. That doesn’t happen anymore, family musical groups were quite common back then.

[@gailbrown4205]

Omg, thank you so much.

[@EnlightenedMaster_Saneiv]

WOW, that was great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@shirleydurr411]

I always thought they were talking about heaven -- a place where nobody is crying or worrying, where no "smiling faces" lying to you. And yes, they took part in the Civil Rights movement. (They also lived in my neighborhood in Chicago at one time.)

[@dubsnapper4787]

Backed by the famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm section, session musicians based in the northern Alabama, check out Paul Simons 'There Goes Rhymin Simon' album they were session players on that also.

[@edwardmason930]

You mentioned Muscle Shoals studio. Aretha Franklin and Percy Sledge recorded there also.

[@louhutson450]

The Staples singers used to sing at a lot of Rev Dr Martin Luther King speeches and protest events. So, yes, Asia is correct. "Ain't no smiling faces" I always felt it meant politicians in D.C.

[@rhondamcbath6279]

Absolutely love this song love, love, Mavis!! I heard this for the first time 40 yrs ago. I discovered real music when I was 9 yrs old and Motown was hitting big...I learned how to dance with this song...I believe I was born to dance, because I out danced adults! I had moves and rhythm like no white girl should have. Even up to 10 yrs ago me and my guy would hit the dance clubs, and people would come over where we'd be sitting, and ask me how old are you? I'd tell them 56, they'd shake their heads, and say your dance moves are different, where'd you learn how to move like that? I'd tell them, nah, I started really young and taught myself, it's just natural. Lol...there like, I bet you really tore the dance floor when you were younger! Yes, I've won a few trophies, and even cash prizes, but the best times were when I cleared the dance floors, not because I was acting like an idiot and was all over the floor but because those people around me would just stop dancing to watch, it was crazy. Lots of memories to cherish for sure 😃. Thanks for these great songs that you two bring to all of us each day!!! Love ya, stay wonderful 😊😊😊

[@denroy3]

This is not Motown.

[@acmorse8922]

PLEASE PLEASE "Oh Happy Day" Edwin Hawkins Singers Inspirational!!!!

[@tasha7094]

Mavis Staple also sang on Hoziers' song Nina Cried Power. You should see the live version in the studio. The song is about resistance against injustice. It name checks many of the musicians protesting in America and Ireland including Nina Simone.

[@williamflinchum-qo6ch]

A great gospel groove with a message to the masses😊 we can get through racial.opression with God!

[@lindarenee2198]

Let's Do it Again is a jam by The Staple Singers.

[@MARKB3946]

It wouldn't have to be introduced because that one singlular note lets you know exactly what song is playing. Loved Mavis Staples voice. We were lucky and had the best music growing up.

[@loisrogers9042]

I played this whole album sooo much ❤

[@kellyyork3898]

Going to the city pool in my boyfriend’s Mustang, feet hanging out the window…takes me back.

[@markgulbranson7518]

Thanks for doing this classic.

[@RobinMcPherson-k3m]

Great ole song. She's talking about Heaven.

[@robertschiavone5159]

The 70's had some great music

[@pauljohnstone180]

Mavis is singing about an ideal place where there "ain't no smiling faces lying to the races". And she with take you there. ✌💛, PJ

[@annemarinelli7303]

I remember this song and it was popular and part of all the movement and protest songs along with all the other bands. I remember them, I really do, they were with all the white musicians.

[@debibailey2968]

Definitely brings back memories of my early teens!!! Loved this song. The Staple Singers were amazing!!! ❤❤❤❤❤. Did you watch that documentary about Muscle Shoals sound. And Rick Hall i think was his name that started it. That's an amazing documentary!!! ❤❤❤❤. Yes the studio band were all white guys, but they had so much soul, no one believed they weren't black! ❤❤❤

[@raycrawley1290]

I was in jr high when this came out....😊

[@buckfan1969]

The Band asked the Staples to join them in doing 'The Weight' for their last concert; partly because the Staples were the first group to cover 'The Weight'. Levon said they loved playing with them; their only worry was that Mavis' voice was so powerful she'd drown them all out. But it was perfect. Better than the original!

[@nidiasmith7367]

Wow thank you love it.

[@paulprendergast3184]

Hey Asia and BJ, Mavis Staples still tours. If she plays close to you all, please go see her.

[@MarySiddell]

Yes, yes, yes!

[@stephaniepersin4222]

Superior music to what we have now.

[@nativetexan9776]

I'll take you there - to a place where there is no discrimination, hate, racism.

[@kathylee1261]

Bass was played by Mavis Staples’ father, Pop Staples

[@johnbaugh6978]

Pop played the electric guitar. David Hood played bass.