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Mavis Staples — Wrote A Song For Everyone
Album: You Are Not Alone
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1010









Released: 2010
Length: 3:36
Plays (last 30 days): 1
(no lyrics available)
Comments (61)add comment
What a wonderful voice. Unmistakable.
And she and Bob Dylan were a couple for a awhile. 
nah.
 Proclivities wrote:

Yes, and Mavis Staples also sang "The Weight" with The Band in "The Last Waltz".  It's a pretty traditional folk song structure.  You'll have to ask John Fogerty about his inspiration for this tune from 1969.


You just answered a couple of questions. Thanks!
Mavis Staples gets an automatic 8.
 mfcrowe wrote:

Saw her live last night - the crowd was a little older and somewhat subdued but this lady was awesome and her band rocked - guitar player was great and the bass player not only was good, he picked up an electric six string and played one smokin' hot solo. Great mix of old and new, gospel and rock. I would highly recommend seeing this awesome woman if and when she tours near you.



I've seen her twice before and your are right on.  And Miss Mavis is still out there doing it live at age 82!  She'll be opening for Bonnie Raitt this summer!  Can't wait to see her again, always a good time.
 rharvey658 wrote:

Thanks.

How come no lyrics available?  For those who want them,

Met myself a comin' county welfare line.
I was feelin' strung out, hung out on the line.
Saw myself a goin', down to war in June.
All I want, all I want is to write myself a tune.
Wrote a song for everyone,
Wrote a song for truth.
Wrote a song For everyone
And I couldn't even talk to you.

Got myself arrested, wound me up in jail.
Richmond 'bout to blow up, communication failed.
If you see the answer, now's the time to say.
All I want, all I want is to get you down and pray.
Wrote a song for everyone ...

Saw the people standin' thousand years in chains.
Somebody said it's different now, look, it's just the same.
Pharoah's spin the message, 'round and 'round the truth.
They could have saved a million people, how can I tell you?
Wrote a song for everyone ...
 
Songwriters: J. C. Fogerty
Wrote A Song For Everyone lyrics © Concord Music Group, Inc



Somehow Mavis makes this sound like here own.
 loungelizard48 wrote:
Me too! aspicer wrote:
LOL - I thought this was Axel Rose at first!!!! 
 

 
Wait a few hours while you sober up. You might want to look at the guy sleeping beside you who you thought was Pat Benatar around 2am.
 kanabeanz wrote:
Nice and catchy at first listen...most excellent. Funny how some song are great on first listen but fade with multiple listens while other just start timidly but just improve with every listen (Tiny Dancer by Elton for example)
 
Are you serious?
Bay City Rollers are calling you on your cell phone.

God, that voice. We are not worthy.
Nice and catchy at first listen...most excellent. Funny how some song are great on first listen but fade with multiple listens while other just start timidly but just improve with every listen (Tiny Dancer by Elton for example)
Love Mavis! But tbh this song sounds exactly like the track "Don't it All Look Ugly" by the English band Proud Mary (from 2001)...  
 aspicer wrote:
LOL - I thought this was Axel Rose at first!!!! 
 

:D Ме too! They sound suspiciously the same
Great rendition of a great song.
Me too! aspicer wrote:
LOL - I thought this was Axel Rose at first!!!! 
 

Strong lyrics Strong heart Great voice
 angelomisterioso wrote:

I guess Mr Twitty listened to the Staples' Last Waltz version before he rip..., wrote this one.  Your right she is quite the voice.
 

I'm pretty sure this was written by John Fogerty, so may pre-date The Weight.
 aspicer wrote:
LOL - I thought this was Axel Rose at first!!!! 
 
Same here!
Well 10 of course.
LOL - I thought this was Axel Rose at first!!!! 
 jukes1 wrote:

For some reason Mavis' is much more evocative of The Weight to me. No idea why, must be the tempo.

 
Here's how she sounds doing that one...  https://youtu.be/2WmlUXsjSv8
How come no lyrics available?  For those who want them,

Met myself a comin' county welfare line.
I was feelin' strung out, hung out on the line.
Saw myself a goin', down to war in June.
All I want, all I want is to write myself a tune.
Wrote a song for everyone,
Wrote a song for truth.
Wrote a song For everyone
And I couldn't even talk to you.

Got myself arrested, wound me up in jail.
Richmond 'bout to blow up, communication failed.
If you see the answer, now's the time to say.
All I want, all I want is to get you down and pray.
Wrote a song for everyone ...

Saw the people standin' thousand years in chains.
Somebody said it's different now, look, it's just the same.
Pharoah's spin the message, 'round and 'round the truth.
They could have saved a million people, how can I tell you?
Wrote a song for everyone ...
 
Songwriters: J. C. Fogerty
Wrote A Song For Everyone lyrics © Concord Music Group, Inc

 thewiseking wrote:
much prefer the Creedence version

 
So does this guy.


She is a living legend and this is a beautiful sentiment, beautifully performed. 
much prefer the Credence version
 mfcrowe wrote:
Saw her live last night - the crowd was a little older and somewhat subdued but this lady was awesome and her band rocked - guitar player was great and the bass player not only was good, he picked up an electric six string and played one smokin' hot solo. Great mix of old and new, gospel and rock. I would highly recommend seeing this awesome woman if and when she tours near you.

  Yes, I saw her two days ago with Patty Griffin.  A very fun show, although I wish Patty had played a few more songs.


the Staples were so great, brings tears of joy to my eyes as I'm boppin along

youtube this beauty:

The Staple Singers - If You're Ready (Come Go with Me) - Duration: 4:34. by soulbrothanumbahone 98,498 views
Creedence were better than we realized. This one was a towering achievement. It's a song I'd like others to cover. Not all that well kinown. This version, sorry Mavis, too damn raspy.
 losthiker wrote:
Take a load off Annie,
take a load for free;
Take a load off Annie,
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

 
Fannie called. She wants you to stop calling her Annie
 kcar wrote:

Had to look it up, but the CCR version is about a year older than The Band's "The Weight." If we still hear the resemblance between the two songs, I imagine that John Fogerty caught similar flack back in '69. 

 
For some reason Mavis' is much more evocative of The Weight to me. No idea why, must be the tempo.
 losthiker wrote:
Take a load off Annie,
take a load for free;
Take a load off Annie,
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

 
Yes, and Mavis Staples also sang "The Weight" with The Band in "The Last Waltz".  It's a pretty traditional folk song structure.  You'll have to ask John Fogerty about his inspiration for this tune from 1969.
John's new album is pretty dang good.  Same title as the song.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/wrote-a-song-for-everyone-20130523?print=true
 losthiker wrote:
Take a load off Annie,
take a load for free;
Take a load off Annie,
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.
 
Had to look it up, but the CCR version is about a year older than The Band's "The Weight." If we still hear the resemblance between the two songs, I imagine that John Fogerty caught similar flack back in '69. 
Take a load off Annie,
take a load for free;
Take a load off Annie,
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.
Interesting version! Really like her voice!
Damn..  she has the voice of experience!
Make it stop!!
 Randomax wrote:
.....and he put the weight right on me.....sorry, but it sounds like that.  Love her otherwise
 
I guess Mr Twitty listened to the Staples' Last Waltz version before he rip..., wrote this one.  Your right she is quite the voice.
The word that comes to mind when I hear this is 'authenticity'. Her rendition of this song is just excellent.
I hear Van Morrison...And It Stoned Me.
.....and he put the weight right on me.....sorry, but it sounds like that.  Love her otherwise
Saw her live last night - the crowd was a little older and somewhat subdued but this lady was awesome and her band rocked - guitar player was great and the bass player not only was good, he picked up an electric six string and played one smokin' hot solo. Great mix of old and new, gospel and rock. I would highly recommend seeing this awesome woman if and when she tours near you.
 calypsus_1 wrote:

MAVIS STAPLES & JEFF TWEEDY - Wrote A Song For Everyone, Live (2010): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yq2OmK9Pco

Live At David Letterman Show : - Wrote a Song For Everyone, a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival, written by J.C. Fogerty, in "Green River" (1969 album).



 
Nice to see her live and kicking but she toned down I think for Letterman. Unless she feels comfortable she can't reveal that raw edge which makes her performance come alive- same with CCR btw. Amazing how much her voice suits the song.


MAVIS STAPLES & JEFF TWEEDY - Wrote A Song For Everyone, Live (2010)

Live At David Letterman Show : - Wrote a Song For Everyone, a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival, written by J.C. Fogerty, in "Green River" (1969 album).



 grant wrote:
Saw Mavis and Tweedy at this year's Lollapalooza - she can still belt it out!
 
some of the young folks are getting into the older singers and dragging them out for new albums. Jack White has a new one from an original rockabilly lady (perhaps the first rock lady) Wanda Jackson.

 RabbitEars wrote:
FYI Jeff Tweedy produced this.  He & Mavis were on Colbert Report a few weeks ago.  The song "You Are Not Alone" is a beaut.
 
Believe it, OR NOT! (pardon my Jack Palance—sorry if that's a way too obscure reference), but this isn't the first time Tweedy has dove into the CCR catalog. 

There's a decent cover of "Effigy" on Uncle Tupelo's compilation disc 89/93, but it was sung by Jay Farrar.


Is alright !  Would like to hear a "smokin' live version !"
I can't help it, every time I hear this song I start laughing because it makes me think of that old In Living Color / David Allen Grier character Calhoun Tubbs —  (Wikipedia) he portrays an old bluesman whose songs invariably insult or otherwise offend his audience. Catchphrase: "I wrote a song about it. Like to hear it? Here it go!"

my favorit Creedence Song. Not lovin this version which lacks the sweet/sadness of the original.
 Dancing_banana wrote:
Love this - sounds like The Weight
 
Nice song... maybe a little too much like The Weight.


Saw Mavis and Tweedy at this year's Lollapalooza - she can still belt it out!
A female CCR-voice.... love it!
This is a stellar song for the ages.  Not everyone could give it "the weight" it deserves.  Mavis does.
Love this - sounds like The Weight
FYI Jeff Tweedy produced this.  He & Mavis were on Colbert Report a few weeks ago.  The song "You Are Not Alone" is a beaut.
This should make Jeff Tweedy happy
Great!  Really on point from my perspective.  Mavis was awesome, if a little over the top, back in the day with the Staple Singers.   This is the class that I would expect to come into play with her maturity.  Great backing vocals and instruments.  Definitely worthy of a Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee.  I'd like to hear more of this!


I just love her voice.  Age hasn't touched her at all .  I'd LOVE to hear her do a duet with Tina Turner.  Meanwhile, I'm really loving what I'm hearing from Ms. Staples' "You Are Not Alone."  I wish she wrote her own songs - that'd be icing on the cake! {#Sunny}
Eve-ry rose has its thorn.
Quite a voice!