Mavis Staples Quotes

If I wasn't my age, I would turn a flip. I would do some cartwheels. That's how I feel.

I'm singing these songs to inspire you, to keep you going, to lift you up and give you a reason to get up in the morning

There's still injustice happening in my world. I sing my songs at concerts and I'm so grateful that the people are ready to hear them.

I won't wear rings and jewelry on the stage because I don't want you looking at my hands. I want you hearing what I'm saying.

I have to pinch myself sometimes. It's unbelievable, but it's not. Because I know that this would not be happening if it hadn't been for Dr. Martin Luther King.

Well Lord, I'm still on the case. I'm still doing what Dr. King and Pops want me to do. I'm still on that freedom highway, and I'm going to walk on it until Dr. King's dream is realized.

I never sang for a Grammy, for money, for fame. That's my whole purpose for singing: for people, for the fans.

We stay strong. We stay positive, keep our heads up, love one another, spread love. The Devil can't win when you have God on your side.

There is a great feeling in a small venue, with the closeness of the people and the intimacy.

I have fun just about everywhere I go.

Music is such a joy, just an absolute joy.

My purpose: to lift your spirit and to motivate you.

I started writing letters home to my mother, saying that I wanted to come home, grandma won't let me sing.

I'm just singing what I feel in my heart.

I was not fortunate enough to run into Obama. We were at the same church per se, but I would never be there when he was there.

Whenever somebody tells me they want me to stop singing, I'm gone.

I feel so good singing songs that I sang with my father.

I'm so blessed that I can still be here to bring the music and have new generations of fans. My Pops would be so proud.

One day, when I was about eight years old, some kids pushed me on stage at school during a talent show because they knew I could sing.

I would get in fights a lot. My voice was so heavy, kids would say you sound like a boy, so I would start beating them up.

I just had a wonderful life, and I couldn't ask for anything else.

I'm old enough to be Obama's grandmom. But I still like seeing good-looking things. Nothing wrong with that.