For over 60 years, the voice of Mavis Staples has been ringing out with some amazing covers (The Band’s “The Weight,” or Funkadelic’s “Can You Get to That”). And now, with her latest single, she continues the tradition, taking on Frank Ocean. Staples’ cover of “Godspeed” is, no surprise, warmed by her voice, and the support feels strong when she sings “I will always be there for you.” That warmness is equaled by the backing instruments, a warm fuzz of a guitar and a much smoother piano than the organ that appears in the original.
In a press release, Staples said of the song, “That first line in ‘Godspeed’ of ‘I will always love you’ just crushes me every time I hear it… or sing it. It’s just such a beautiful song and he sounds amazing on it so I was a little nervous if we could pull it off. I was honored to sing his words.”
Joining Staples on the track is musician/poet Kara Jackson. (Her voice replaces Kim Burrell in the original, but is presented here as a poem with samples of people talking about love.) Ocean’s song appeared on his critically acclaimed 2016 album, Blonde.
Staples is touring again this summer, playing festivals and solo shows in both the US and Europe. Her last album was 2022’s Carry Me Home, which featured her singing alongside former Band drummer Levon Helm.
