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

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.