The Staple Singers - This May be the Last Time

Eerie, lean sound from the Staples' Veejay years.
The Rolling Stones have been accused of ripping this off, and of course they did, but if they owe anyone it is really the arranger Shirley Joiner. The song itself is traditional.

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  Music

[oneUNITED7SS]

Can't believe that this gave genesis to 'Ridin' Solo', which is one of the shittiest songs of all time. The Stones took from this to make the Last Time, after which Andrew Oldham made a symphonic version of it. Then in 1997, the Verve decided to sample the symphonic version of the Last Time in order to make Bittersweet Symphony. And in turn, Jason Derulo sample Bittersweet Symphony in order to make Ridin' Solo. Good music, what happened to you?

[rebelsoftheneongod]

OH MY GOD THIS IS SO GOOD I HAVE TO TYPE IN CAPS!!!!

[Jayceearegee]

People just don't want to use their brains to make music nowadays.

[SandwichMan239]

(replying via my kids' FB- I suck at FB)

Fun fact: Mick Jagger gave the Verve "Bittersweet" kinda like Paul McCartney gave Badfinger "Finding out about you". But what really matters is hearing Pa Staples as thirtysomething. Seriously amazing- with a whole lotta Negro Spiritual goin' on. -Josh

[cosmicowboy111]

Ummm,umm,umm ... thats what I'm talkin' about

[thedangling]

I love this so much

[2diehard4u]

thats why they call you the betamele and not the alphamale cuz you are a huge duche

[SnappyPenguins]

Well, that REALLY strengthened your argument, sir. You should be a politician with your excellent debate skills.

[betamale3]

You are clearly deaf

Oh yes, I nearly forgot, you are also an infinitely large cunt

But I have to agree Bitter Sweet symphony is a work of genius

[bgg222]

"If The Verve can write a better song, they can keep the money"

"The Verve" are pretty much no-talent MTV azzclowns ... make your own music and then keep all the money. Have nearly 100% of the listening seconds of your "song" composed of a sample with little bits of your own crap on top? Then suffer what happens next when the folks you sampled want their cut.

[DeepGospelSound]

Shirley Joiner didn't arrange the Staple Singers version - Roebuck (Pops) Staples did and he's credited on the original label. Shirley Joiner's arrangement was about 25 years later, for her Southeast Inspirational Choir (it's on YouTube, too).

[Jennifer Scott]

I keep coming back to this incredible track, it's so beautiful I get goosebumps every time I hear it-