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Norah Jones sits down with legendary singer Mavis Staples at Jeff Tweedy’s studio, The Loft, in Chicago, to talk about her storied career, family history, and iconic music. Throughout the episode, the two artists reflect on working with Jeff Tweedy, share memories of Prince, and discuss Mavis’s deep involvement in the civil rights movement alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They also break into impromptu performances of classic songs like "You Are Not Alone," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," and "Friendship."
The episode opens with the host introducing the iHeart Podcast and setting the stage for a musical conversation.
Norah Jones introduces Mavis Staples, mentioning her latest album and upcoming tour dates.
The hosts share how special and emotional the recording felt, praising Mavis’s energy and influence.
They discuss and perform several songs, including surprise selections that added fun to the session.
They explore the background of Jeff Tweedy’s song written for Mavis and its emotional impact.
The duo performs the heartfelt song “You Are Not Alone,” sharing its meaning and personal resonance.
Norah reflects on celebrating Mavis’s 80th birthday and their memorable performance at the Apollo.
The episode concludes with final thoughts, a nod to the birthday, and promotion of the new podcast series.
Mavis and the host reminisce about a song written by Pete Rem that was never performed due to the pandemic.
Mavis explains how her father taught her guitar and the early songwriting process within the family.
Mavis recounts the family’s historic visit to Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and their interaction with Dr. King.
The conversation shifts to how the Staples family began writing and performing protest songs inspired by the Civil Rights movement.
Recording You Are Not Alonestory
The guest explains how Jeff Tweedy wrote "You Are Not Alone" right in the studio, and how the lyrics resonated deeply after the loss of her sister.
Origin of the Nickname Bubblesstory
The guest shares that her mother gave her the nickname Bubbles in her twenties because of her constantly happy and bubbly personality.
Singing Sacred Music Without Gimmicksstrategy
The guest recounts a time her father pulled her off stage for jumping around, teaching her that singing from the heart is all a spiritual performance needs.
Elvis Described Pops's Guitarstory
The guest recalls meeting Elvis Presley, who complimented her father's unique guitar playing by calling it a "nervous guitar" due to the tremolo effect.
The guest shares the heartbreaking story of a record executive taking advantage of her youth and stripping away the publishing rights to the songs she wrote.
The Inspiration Behind Why Am I Treated So Badstory
The guest explains how Pops Staples wrote "Why Am I Treated So Bad" after watching television news coverage of nine children integrating Central High School in Little Rock.
“She is full of love, and we love her.”
“I met her for the first time in 2010, when we were both honoring Paul McCartney at the Kennedy Center Honors.”
“We were supposed to go on tour with that song.”
“They said, 'The Staples singers are singing the devil's music.'”
“I told them, I said, 'Look, we're telling you, I know a place.'”
Mavis Staples is pure love and light. She grew up as part of the Staples Singers, a family whose powerful messages of peace rang loud and clear through times of civil unrest.
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