Mavis Staples: In Times Like These

The music world has been all a buzz this week concerning the new releases by Robert Plant and Mavis Staples. The new CD by Mavis Staples called “You’re Not Alone” is in the gospel style that her family has been making famous since the 1950s. At 71, she proves that age does not matter when you have the talent to back up your performance.

While our Spiritual Sunday selection is not from the new album, it comes from the 2004 release “Have a Little Faith.” The song “In Times Like These,” is not the slow grooveless hymn of the same name, but rather a newer song written by producer Jim Tulilo and guitarist LeRoy Marinell. Marinell, by the way, also co-wrote “Werewolves of London” with Warren Zevon and Waddy Wachtell.” “Aaahoo,” this song grooves.

Lyrics

In times like these
We need to be strong
We need to carry on
We need to get along hold on
And right what's wrong

In times like these
We need to find a way
To make a better day
Keep my feet on the ground turning 'round
Come what may

Everybody
Everybody needs someone they can lean on
Everybody needs to lean on someone
(Everybody) everybody
(Everybody) everybody needs someone they can lean on
Everybody needs to lean on someone now

In times like these
There's no one not to care, no
There's no one anywhere
Who doesn't feel it in their hearts
Gotta make a new start ya'll

In times like these
Let the world understand
Together hand in hand
Every woman child and man
United we stand

Everybody (everybody)
Everybody (everybody) needs someone they can lean on
Everybody needs to lean on someone
Everybody (everybody)
Everybody (everybody) needs someone they can lean on
Everybody needs to lean on someone

Everybody needs something
Everybody needs someone
Everybody has a friend of friend who knew a friend of a friend who’s got a friend of a friend