The Staple Singers - Respect Yourself (Official Lyric Video)

Stax is pleased to release a new lyric video for the Staple Singers’ soulful 1971 anthem “Respect Yourself.” The captivating visualizer pairs archival photos from the Civil Rights Movement with contemporary images from the Black Lives Matter protests-because now as then, this song’s message of self-respect, tolerance and empowerment provides a compass for navigating times of political tumult and upheaval.
Check out the hit-packed compilation from Soulsville U.S.A., "STAX NUMBER ONES"! Available now on vinyl, CD and digital platforms.
Shop and stream here: found.ee/stax-number-ones
“Respect Yourself,” which originally appeared on the Staple Singers’ 1972 album Be Altitude: Respect Yourself, resonated with listeners and became the group’s biggest hit to date-landing at No. 2 on the Billboard Soul chart and No. 12 on the Hot 100. The eerily prophetic tune-which even included the lyric “Keep talkin' bout the president, won't stop air pollution/Put your hand on your mouth when you cough, that'll help the solution”-was a perfect fit for the Staple Singers, who were formidable voices in the Civil Rights Movement and often incorporated politically charged messages of racial equality into their songs. Featuring members of the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and Memphis Horns, the song was penned by Luther Ingram and Mack Rice, and produced by Stax Records executive Al Bell.
The lyric video comes ahead of a comprehensive 7-CD box set celebrating the Staple Singers and their legendary output at Stax Records. Spanning 1968-1974, Come Go With Me: The Stax Collection is available November 13 and includes many of the Staples’ most iconic recordings, including “I’ll Take You There,” “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me),” “Long Walk to D.C.,” and, of course, “Respect Yourself.” The collection was also released earlier this year on vinyl and digital formats, both available now at the official Stax online store: found.ee/staplesingers-7CD-st...
Come Go With Me: The Stax Collection takes listeners back to 1968, when the Staple Singers went into the studio to record their first album for Stax, Soul Folk in Action, working with producer Steve Cropper and songwriter Homer Banks. The sessions were set against a backdrop of social and political turmoil, which climaxed with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Memphis. The Staple Singers were known for writing politically charged “message songs,” and the year’s events certainly inspired many of the tracks on this album, including “Long Walk to D.C.” and “The Ghetto.” In their liner notes, Levon Williams and Dr. Langston Wilkins write that both of these songs “Truly tapped into the experiences and emotions of Black America at the close of the ’60s. The former is a tribute to the 1963 March on Washington told from the perspective of a poor yet hopeful African American person willing to use their last dimes to make it to the rally … Conversely, the somber and haunting ‘The Ghetto’ takes listeners deep into the isolation and despair of inner-city life.”
Featuring newly remastered audio, Come Go With Me features all six of The Staple Singers’ albums for Stax, plus a seventh disc of rarities, non-album singles and live recordings from the legendary 1972 Wattstax music festival. The box set also includes a booklet with archival photos and liner notes from American music specialist and curator Levon Williams (formerly of the Stax Museum and the National Museum of African American Music) and folklorist, ethnomusicologist and writer Dr. Langston Wilkins.
Video animated by Sandra Clua @ginjol.net
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[@RickyVanderslice]

"Vote for me or you ain't black" -- Joe Biden

[@samtraygis1337]

The world needs this tune now more than ever . The world is going insane and has lost basic morals and respect

[@Djintrovert47]

I agree 1000 especially in our African community (Africans that's been stolen from Africa brung to America) because not one man or black man that they call Americans. We been stolen so this why we are the way we are today because white people made us believe in the jim crow education. So now look at us hating each other no type of respect for each other.

[@toniagarcia3247]

Damn straight usa is implicit in genocide in Gaza.

[@denisevanselow2722]

Agreed I posted it to FB

[@DavidZehr-yz6cr]

To many people live for self.

[@WillieTonka]

@@toniagarcia3247 Don't forget to vote for Biden or else you ain't black. lol

[@suzannesellers7383]

So true, more now than ever.

[@dawnpaige3648]

This is one true song by the staple singers Respect yourself!!! Do anyone out there know what the meaning of Respect Yourself? Especially the young generation today? They should sit down and listen to this song and get the true facts!!! Respect Yourself!!!

[@mariocaffari5015]

Wait and see, now every human has to learn what it means to have respect

[@khadijahalhusayn445]

Yes ma’am!! ❤

[@PGTransformed]

Indeed!! Amen!!!

[@josephsanchez6924]

The teachings start at home.

[@mgmail7279]

@@josephsanchez6924 They should but some parents (mine for example) are more interested in their own lives than dealing with the children they brought into the world. I learned more from this song and others than I ever did from anybody at home. Sure your way would be ideal, but for those of us less fortunate, a good song is a life saver.

[@dannypalmer7701]

Respect Elders that deserve it.They been here before us!

[@mgmail7279]

Not all of them. My mother never respected me in any way and was abusive to me into her 90s. She was also never open to learning or changing so those extra years meant nothing. As the song says you can't expect respect from someone you disrespect.

[@RitaMarshall-iy2uc]

Ip

[@mgmail7279]

Looks like dannypalmer added "that deserve it" after my comment. That helps.

[@AlexHandmaster]

@@mgmail7279 You sound like a jezebel. Honor thy father & mother. Its not "demand respect from your elders" EARN IT!

[@youngboytrippie]

Omg!, I'm 18 lost between generation boundaries but i am happy for the old soul within me, LOL STAPLE THE WORLD

[@Sophisticated8]

If you want respect ✊🏿 you have to give respect ✊🏿 Treat people how you want to be treated ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@shannonhendricks5980]

We were warned back then in every verse.

[@Sentimentalgal05]

Timeless... A very important message then and now!! Peace and love to all..

[@imbatman3620]

A song for 2023 to all of us 💯👍✝️

[@user-ro6er1gm9x]

2024 & Onward !

[@FatherAndTeacherTV]

I don't care to ask questions, like: "Who is still listening in whatever year it is?!" Because great songs that cause you to feel and/or think will always have someone listening. "Respect Yourself" is a great song. So, listeners, please continue to think and feel. Peace!

[@billsmith5702]

This is the truth..absolute truth!

[@latoshawhite8495]

The staple singers tells the truth in their songs when they sing

[@liamshaughnessy6246]

Again, and heck yeah! I love this song!😀😃😁

[@skywatersspeaks4her885]

Love this song. My grandma use to play it everyday. Timeless

[@mariocaffari5015]

Hi, so listen to their perfect remake of < Grandmas Hands > and feel the great spirit of the staples family

[@mgmail7279]

Grandma surely taught you a great lesson with it! I wish I'd known to respect myself when I was younger....

[@hughjarse3808]

I`m an old fogey but I actually remember when people showed respect. This world is sliding down the tubes quicker and quicker.

[@user-jk5mh6mg3f]

58 baby here raised my 3 children with this exact sentiment

[@briancunningham7091]

brilliant

[@bobbyslappy1027]

Just love them staple singers

[@liamshaughnessy6246]

Good points in this song!😀😁😂😇

[@cindy7400]

Now this is what I’m talking about !…. Absolutely genius !💯🙏

[@d.tucker4929]

"Take your sheet off your face boy, It's a brand new day" Too many people need to listen and understand this song because The Staple Singers ain't b.s.ing.

[@patriciarobinson6347]

Yes so much true 😊❤️ my daughter loves this song

[@nancyweliczko9334]

I love the Staple Sisters

[@airbrushken5339]

Just magic.... this group were masters from the music to the voices plus the words are soooo true!

[@OldSchoolHead1990]

I’m 30 years old and this is my jam. I listen to it a lot. I love the staple singers, especially Mavis. Got a girl crush on her. Lol!!! Her voice is so unique.

[@mikekrier1465]

I got you beat. 45 mine too.

[@OldSchoolHead1990]

@@mikekrier1465 lol

[@treyanderson6224]

👀👌😆 My Joint!

[@natalienelson1142]

Those are your staples

[@jimkerrigan1888]

Mavis lets her soul speak loud & proud.

[@charlescoleman3168]

The Staple Singers were a incredibly amazing and talented group of singers blessed with (voices) that blended amazingly (well) that gave their (songs) inspirations for generations of (everyone) 👥👥👥 whoever heard the songs they sung especially ones like "Respect Yourself" giving (all) the understanding of respecting the life you live & love to (all) see what it means to have & get the (respect) everyone (deserves) 💯💯💯✔

[@zitalima3140]

Wonderful and timeless message ❤️ Happy Birthday Mavis Staples 🎶❤️🌹🎶

[@MrRichardsr]

I LOVE THIS SONG!

[@RepriseFan]

Genius lyrics and marvelous vocals by Pops Staple and Mavis Staple, a timeless classic.

[@pulanemokgalabone1982]

How relevant and ageless is the message of this song👌

[@marcellanorfleet4438]

"YOU BETTER KNOW IT"

[@patrickbartley4950]

My Lord give it up Mavis an pop.damn Bruce Willis

[@dannypalmer7701]

Teach your children that while they learning facts of Public life!

[@alhoward4099]

🎵We talk about the president on stopping the corona virus, put a mask on your face when you cough, that would save a bunch of us🎵

[@micheldindaine8403]

NICE !!

[@marcellanorfleet4438]

THANK YOU

[@anotherone5926]

Saved ...from the common cold. Source: AMA Encylopedia. The mask keeps NO germs from entering/leaving, but DOES result in Oxygen DEPRIVATION (causing Lower heartbeat, lower Immunities, slower circulation, slower cell regeneration, POOR JUDGEMENT...)

[@gengis737]

@@anotherone5926 You changed President, change Encyclopedia. No surgeon suffocated after full day with mask. And a doctor in UK just run 2 hours with mask to prove you wrong. But you know you are wrong, the world experiment with masks did not give the result you pretend.

[@anotherone5926]

@@gengis737 I don't know what you are rambling about, pal. You got the wrong One.

[@liamshaughnessy6246]

Heck yeah love This video plus the song😂❤️✔️🎶🎵

[@kimjackson7282]

A Salute To The LegendarY( "Staple Family )Singers Singing ")Group & Band for Nice Music in 60's & 70's.Happy 2022 New Yeat!

[@aikijb]

Obrigado! Thx

[@williambrown6563]

True song

[@carolinehebel8649]

Respect yourself!!!!!!

[@plasteredbastard]

got to love a song made for anyone with blood running thru their veins.

[@davidpatterson1332]

I grew up in this era, What a great time to be Alive!

[@h.s.thompsonduke8105]

Human experience, crushed it. Thank You, Dorothy Morrison.

[@allysonlewis1730]

Good job on the graphics. 10 out of 10

[@trizhaay]

Amen, amen and amen!!

[@imbatman3620]

God opposes the proud but gives more grace to the Humble; JAMES 4:6 *We all need to remember this and respect each other as well.🙏

[@mgmail7279]

They should have played this during the pandemic for the still true line "Put your hand over your mouth when you cough"! Fab song and great group.

[@fbfb64]

black folk were too busy twerking on MLK day to care about "respect" Just ask BLM.

[@barrygreen3829]

I used to love this song 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👍🏿

[@toddholmes2290]

Stands up to the test of time . 👍

[@CharCanuck14]

I remember this song when it first came out. Powerful then and just as powerful now!

[@verauniquefoster3504]

Amen. Keep rising above the non-sense of ppl and the system. 😇✊🏾 #SomePplStillDontUnderstand

[@mgmail7279]

Thanks for the lyrics. Now I know why I could never line up when singing along with that one line: "give a cahoot". I thought it was hoot!

[@juliemcalister2557]

If you don't respect yo YO SELF ain't nobody gonna give one ass I ota bout u! You know a cahoot 👍👍🎀

[@SunnyIlha]

Pops say If you disrespect Anybody that you run into. How in the world Do you think Anybody's going to Respect You

[@danasalter8186]

👍🏽🤣😂

[@charlottedixon6628]

❤❤Oh YES❤❤

[@oldbeatpete]

thank you for being here!

[@sheilapalmer224]

This is a master piece

[@liamshaughnessy6246]

Bleeping/bleeding heck yeah x3!😀😃😁😂

[@richbrake9910]

"You walk around thinking the world owes you something because you're here," sounds like today's generation ....

[@tamararosecollins1623]

Yes

[@donnawoodford8018]

Or entitled people of any generation.

[@user-qr9uh1fd8g]

Greatest Generation, our grandparents were the best!

[@FrankLocklear-cl8gq]

Song ẁas B4 its time. IT IS PERFECT FOR TODAY. Of COURSE THEY WON'T CARE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TOO MUCH LIKE RIGHT. WHEN IT CAME OUT WE GOT ALONG JUST FINE EXCEPT FOR DA HATERS OF COURSE. DEMON-CRATS HAD US HATING LAST CPL YEARS BUT WE'RE UP ON THEIR BS NOW & WE ARE COMING TOGETHER AS BROTHERS & SISTERS & WE'RE GOING TO VOTE THEM OUT OF OUR LIVES IN 2024 TRUMP. UNLESS THEY CHEAT US AGAIN BUT WE AIN'T GOING FOR THAT BS THIS TIME. RIGHT PEOPLES?😊😊😊WE GONNA STICK TOGETHER. GOD BLESS US ALL. AMEN

[@cindydefronzo-cz2xt]

All generations have them.

[@josephsanchez6924]

Respect the faith.

[@joegreatmusicfirstweir9646]

Respect yourself The staple singers love the song then I love it even more today but in the present time today people need to respect each other that's how much this world has changed since 1987 respect each other brothers and sisters amen

[@mkboy1313]

Excellent.

[@sheilapalmer224]

You are so talented

[@verauniquefoster898]

I will forever love this song. She's an Amazing Artist. 1980s baby here. More power to her.✊🏾😇

[@sheilapalmer224]

You are phenomenal

[@oraciocasillas3505]

I will take you there

[@raymondmalcuit8361]

The Staple Singers Version Of This Song, Went To Number 12 On The Billboard Hot-100 Chart In 1971.

[@pamelalovings4711]

😀2020'💕Still Jamming to a Classic Powerful Lyrics to this Song 🎶Respect Yourself💕🎶 R.I.P to the Members whom has passed😇😇😇 in this Life😓... Thanks for Sharing!!👍🏼✌

[@dawnfish477]

Ausome song love it!

[@kimberlyanita1006]

💃🏾 💃🏾 Thanks Stax

[@DeepHouseLovers-keepitdeep.]

Muchas gracias es fantastic.

[@RickyJr46]

We never knew how good we had it, problems and all.

[@elliottbracken9986]

Love The staple singers and the message.Nice video and I see there's two people who still has the sheet on their face.

[@patriciawynn5182]

Yes such a great and meaningful song!

[@dannyboi3352]

RESPECT YOURSELF IF EVERYBODY DID SOME OF THAT TODAY RESPECT WHAT EVER HAPPEN TO IT LETS BRING IT BACK OL SCHOOL LETS DO IT

[@umojaselassie6649]

Brother "Spoon" where are you! now...i remember "Subic Bay" P.I., i never forgot!...Black Love.

[@AnyagirlfromAustralia]

Ttt

[@AnyagirlfromAustralia]

Ttt

[@AnyagirlfromAustralia]

4r4

[@AnyagirlfromAustralia]

4r4

[@liamshaughnessy6246]

again heck yeah lol I love this song!🎵🎶

[@Natijr8]

I love it

[@johnwhite7320]

Mavis Staples is one cool chick. Still

[@sheilapalmer224]

You are a legend

[@RickLipinski]

Yep. RPS.....

[@bgirl13collier55]

🔥 🔥 🔥

[@sheilapalmer224]

I am a fan of yours

[@michelr.beaudin5315]

Cool memories from back then including the lyrics !!!

[@sheilapalmer224]

You are a class act

[@labratamber]

Anybody ever notice how MADONNAs Express yourself chorus sounds like the chorus here?

[@shannonvanderhoof4810]

🤗 🎼🎈 Yes !!! She loved them too. ⭐

[@pong9000]

I dunno how to square this with Alice Walker's "I'm here" speech in _The Colour Purple_ , which I think redefined respect. Respect for simply existing, or for what you do?

[@EileenPCarryEPC]

Yeah man! 💙💭

[@sheilapalmer224]

You are so bless

[@PilgrimPiper]

Levon Helm brought me here. I have heard this song all my life but never really listened to the lyrics as close as I just did. Very well done and enjoying. Peace to all

[@johnfulcher6596]

Graphics are a HIT. One of the Greats.

[@johnfulcher6596]

@Think3Coach

[@timginn2741]

These people make nice music

[@SunnyIlha]

1:44 It's alright na, Auntie Mavis put a lil scold in You If You ain't in the right place

[@sheilapalmer224]

You are so amazing

[@beverlyhoward3512]

SING NOW, BRING THIS BACK AND GIVE TO LITTLE NOS

[@sheilapalmer224]

Ilove this jam

[@Larry-ls7xy]

Let the gentleman with the Bible do his thing. Got that right.

[@altereddogma]

Of course, this song and its release was before the power-rise of American fundamentalist Christians. They were not rolling back social progress for the rest of us in 1971.

[@RickyVanderslice]

@@altereddogma Black paranoia is thing now. lol

[@sheilapalmer224]

You are so brilliant

[@bobbyslappy1027]

Shelia sweetheart baby take a break

[@sheilapalmer224]

You are a powerhouse

[@Garytyronejohnson]

Awesome Stax!

[@boerbel888]

The Great Roger Hawkins on drums !

[@liamshaughnessy6246]

Heck yeah I love this song!

[@sheilapalmer224]

You are so pure

[@sheilapalmer224]

Ilove your voice