Action

Album: Livin' on a High Note (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Livin' on a High Note is an album featuring songs written specifically for Mavis Staples by an assortment of artists. When Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards heard about the project, she eagerly joined it because, she told The New York Times, "The Staple Singers have always done music that is relevant, and unfortunately the same songs are still relevant today."
  • Mavis Staples discussed what she wanted with each prospective songwriter. "We probably talked for 15 minutes, and all of my suspicions about how to last long in this career, she proved them all to be correct," Garbus said. "As in be humble, be everyday people, be a human being. No need to cop an attitude, we're all human beings. She set me at ease right away."

    This upbeat song, which moves from fear to activism is the track that Garbus came up with.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Janet Jackson

Janet JacksonFact or Fiction

Was Janet secretly married at 18? Did she gain 60 pounds for a movie role that went to Mariah Carey? See what you know about Ms. Jackson.