The Staple Singers, I’ll Take You There | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 187th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “I’ll Take You There” by The Staple Singers. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 187^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “I’ll Take You There” performed by The Staple Singers.

“I know a place / Ain’t nobody cryin’, ain’t nobody worried / Ain’t no smilin’ faces / Lyin’ to the races.” Word. You always remember your first! The Staple Singers’ first number one hit, “I’ll Take You There”, is a special one.  Not only was it a no. 1 hit on the R&B charts, but “I’ll Take You There” gave the legendary Chicago R&B/soul/funk/gospel collective their first no. 1 hit on the pop charts.  When you think of Mavis Staples and company, “I’ll Take You There” is among the first songs that comes to mind.  The soul juggernaut graces the 1972 album, Be Altitude: Respect Yourself which also features another ‘Staple,’ “Respect Yourself”. Al Bell penned and produced this historic and important song.

Mavis Staples is in top-notch, soulful form singing on “I’ll Take You There.” The background vocals are equally compelling, adding punch.  This is a record where the gospel roots of the group shine through, elevating the funk.  Speaking of funk, the musical accompaniment is super funky with an electrifying groove, a famous, robust bass line, and, overall, a locked-in, turned-up rhythm section. Shout to the guitarist and keyboardist, too – “Play your, play your piano now!” Also, instrumentally, don’t forget about those biting horns! The riffs are fire! Notably, “I’ll Take You There” is spare lyrically.  However, the message sent by The Staple Singers is a big, meaningful one – spreading love and not hate.  Why can’t people of different races love one another without hatred and racism? The Staple Singers want to take us to that authentic, idyllic, and loving place. After all, we should all strive to “Touch a Hand (Make A Friend)”!

The Staple Singers // Be Altitude: Respect Yourself  // Concord Music Group // 1972

The Staple Singers, I’ll Take You There: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 187 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Concord Music Group; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]