Candi Staton
Encyclopedia
Candi Staton is an American
soul
and gospel
singer, best known for her 1970
remake of Tammy Wynette
's "Stand By Your Man" and her 1976
disco
hit "Young Hearts Run Free
". In 2007, Staton was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.
. Her vocal abilities quickly set her apart from the crowd; the school's pastor teamed the two sisters with a third girl to form the Jewell Gospel Trio. As teenagers, they toured the traditional gospel circuit in the 1950s with The Soul Stirrers
, C. L. Franklin
, and Mahalia Jackson
. They recorded several sides for Nashbro, Apollo
, and Savoy Records
between 1953 and 1963.
" and "In the Ghetto
". Staton appeared on the September 23, 1972 edition (Season 2, Episode 1) of Soul Train
. In 1975, Staton began collaborating with producer David Crawford
on disco songs such as "Young Hearts Run Free
", which reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart
, during the summer of 1976. It was remixed and re-released in 1986 reaching the UK Top 50. Follow up song "Destiny" hit the Top 50 in the UK. Candi's version of "Nights on Broadway" hit the UK Top 10 in 1977; it had been a US Billboard hit for the Bee Gees over a year before. In 1978 she scored another Top 50 hit in the UK with "Honest I Do I Love You". Other club hits included "When You Wake Up Tomorrow" and "Victim". In 1982 Candi again hit the UK chart with a version of Elvis Presley
's "Suspicious Minds
". In 1997, singer Kym Mazelle
recorded "Young Hearts Run Free" for the film adaption of Romeo and Juliet
. Staton collaborated with Change
, Luther Vandross
, and Janet Jackson
on her 1979 album title song "Chance" and album single "When You Wake Up Tomorrow" (co-written by Patrick Adams and Wayne K. Garfield, lyricist).
In 1982, Staton returned to gospel music. She married her third husband, John Sussewell (drummer for Ashford & Simpson
and also Dory Previn
's sixth album
). Together they founded Beracah Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia
with help from Jim
and Tammy Faye Bakker's PTL Ministries. She has since recorded eight gospel albums, two of which received Grammy Award
nominations.
In 1991 she returned to popular mainstream charts by lending her vocals to The Source's Top Ten British hit, "You Got the Love
," a club-styled dance hit that sold two million copies and that is still considered a seminal classic of that era, leading to many remixes and cover versions being created. Staton signed with Intersound Records in 1995. In 2000, she released her eleventh album, Here's a Blessing. In 2004, the British record label Honest Jon's
released a compilation CD of her country-soul work from the late 1960s and early 1970s, the self-titled Candi Staton, and Staton followed it up with a secular project in 2006 entitled His Hands, produced by Mark Nevers of Lambchop
and with the title track written by Will Oldham
. Two of Staton's children, Cassandra Hightower (background vocals) and Marcus Williams (drums), joined her on the CD. A second studio album for Honest Jon's, titled Who's Hurting Now?, appeared in 2009.
Staton's television show New Direction airs on TBN
. Staton has also made appearances on the Praise the Lord telecast with Paul Crouch
and his wife Jan Crouch.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
singer, best known for her 1970
1970 in music
- Events :*January 3**Davy Jones announces he is leaving the Monkees**Former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett releases his first solo album The Madcap Laughs....
remake of Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette
Virginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists....
's "Stand By Your Man" and her 1976
1976 in music
-January–February:*January 5 – Former Beatles road manager Mal Evans is shot dead by Los Angeles police after refusing to drop what police only later determine is an air rifle....
disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
hit "Young Hearts Run Free
Young Hearts Run Free
"Young Hearts Run Free" is a disco song by American soul singer Candi Staton. Released in 1976 from the album of the same title, it spent a week at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. It also peaked at number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Along with the tracks: "Run To Me"...
". In 2007, Staton was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.
Early years
At the age of eleven or twelve, Staton and her sister Maggie were sent to the Jewell Christian Academy in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. Her vocal abilities quickly set her apart from the crowd; the school's pastor teamed the two sisters with a third girl to form the Jewell Gospel Trio. As teenagers, they toured the traditional gospel circuit in the 1950s with The Soul Stirrers
The Soul Stirrers
One of the most popular and influential gospel groups of the 20th century, the Soul Stirrers were pioneers in the development of the quartet style of gospel and, without intending it, in the creation of soul music, doo wop, and motown sound, some of the secular music that owed much to gospel.The...
, C. L. Franklin
C. L. Franklin
Clarence LaVaughn Franklin , was an American Baptist minister, a civil rights activist, and father of the legendary soul and gospel singer Aretha Franklin.-Background:...
, and Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson – January 27, 1972) was an African-American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice, she was referred to as "The Queen of Gospel"...
. They recorded several sides for Nashbro, Apollo
Apollo Records
Apollo Records may refer to:* Apollo Records - US based company* Apollo Records - US based company* Apollo Records - US based company* Apollo Records - Belgian-based company* Apollo Records - US based company...
, and Savoy Records
Savoy Records
Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part in popularizing bebop.Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part...
between 1953 and 1963.
Solo career
In 1968, Staton launched her solo career as a Southern soul stylist, garnering 16 R&B hits for Rick Hall's Fame Studios and gaining the title of "First Lady of Southern Soul" for her Grammy-nominated R&B renditions of the songs "Stand by Your ManStand By Your Man
"Stand by Your Man" is a song co-written by Tammy Wynette and Billy Sherrill and originally recorded by Tammy Wynette, released as a single in September 1968 in the USA...
" and "In the Ghetto
In the Ghetto
"In the Ghetto" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Elvis Presley Music in 1969. It was written by Mac Davis and made famous by Elvis Presley who had a major comeback hit with the song in 1969. It was released in 1969 as a 45 rpm single with "Any Day Now" as the flip side...
". Staton appeared on the September 23, 1972 edition (Season 2, Episode 1) of Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
. In 1975, Staton began collaborating with producer David Crawford
David Crawford
David Crawford may refer to:*Dave Crawford, former head coach at the Hawaii college football program* David Crawford , Australian rules footballer*David Crawford , Australian non-executive director...
on disco songs such as "Young Hearts Run Free
Young Hearts Run Free
"Young Hearts Run Free" is a disco song by American soul singer Candi Staton. Released in 1976 from the album of the same title, it spent a week at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. It also peaked at number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Along with the tracks: "Run To Me"...
", which reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, during the summer of 1976. It was remixed and re-released in 1986 reaching the UK Top 50. Follow up song "Destiny" hit the Top 50 in the UK. Candi's version of "Nights on Broadway" hit the UK Top 10 in 1977; it had been a US Billboard hit for the Bee Gees over a year before. In 1978 she scored another Top 50 hit in the UK with "Honest I Do I Love You". Other club hits included "When You Wake Up Tomorrow" and "Victim". In 1982 Candi again hit the UK chart with a version of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's "Suspicious Minds
Suspicious Minds
"Suspicious Minds" is a song written by American songwriter Mark James that, after the failure of his own recording, was handed to Elvis Presley by producer Chips Moman becoming one of his most notable hits and a number one in 1969, "Suspicious Minds" was widely regarded as the single that returned...
". In 1997, singer Kym Mazelle
Kym Mazelle
Kym Mazelle is an American dance-pop, Hi-NRG, soul, and house singer. She was brought up and lived on the same street as the Jackson family and knew Michael Jackson's mother and uncle.-Career:...
recorded "Young Hearts Run Free" for the film adaption of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
. Staton collaborated with Change
Change (band)
Change was an Italian-American post-disco group formed in Bologna, Italy in 1979 by businessman and executive producer Jacques Fred Petrus and Mauro Malavasi...
, Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
, and Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
on her 1979 album title song "Chance" and album single "When You Wake Up Tomorrow" (co-written by Patrick Adams and Wayne K. Garfield, lyricist).
In 1982, Staton returned to gospel music. She married her third husband, John Sussewell (drummer for Ashford & Simpson
Ashford & Simpson
Nickolas Ashford , and Valerie Simpson , were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists....
and also Dory Previn
Dory Previn
Dory Previn, née Dorothy Veronica Langan , is an American lyricist, singer-songwriter and poet.During the late 1950s and 1960s she was a lyricist for motion picture songs, and with her first husband André Previn received several Academy Award nominations...
's sixth album
We're Children of Coincidence and Harpo Marx
We're Children of Coincidence and Harpo Marx was the sixth solo studio LP by Dory Previn, released in 1976 by the Warner Brothers label. Apart from the download tracks Planet Blue made available in 2002, it was her last set of recordings....
). Together they founded Beracah Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
with help from Jim
Jim Bakker
James Orsen "Jim" Bakker is an American televangelist, a former Assemblies of God minister, and a former host of The PTL Club, a popular evangelical Christian television program.A sex scandal led to his resignation from the ministry...
and Tammy Faye Bakker's PTL Ministries. She has since recorded eight gospel albums, two of which received Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominations.
Lambchop's "I Would Have Waited Here All Day" Staton is the subject of the song "I Would Have Waited Here All Day" by Lambchop Lambchop (band) Lambchop, originally Posterchild, is a band from Nashville, Tennessee. Lambchop is loosely associated with the alternative country genre... . Helen Hoffner's "Summer of Love" In Hoffner's 1993 hit "Summer Of Love", reference is made in the lyrics to "Young Hearts Run Free Young Hearts Run Free "Young Hearts Run Free" is a disco song by American soul singer Candi Staton. Released in 1976 from the album of the same title, it spent a week at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. It also peaked at number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Along with the tracks: "Run To Me"... "; see Helen Hoffner's album Wild about Nothing Wild about Nothing Wild About Nothing is a music album by Helen Hoffner. It was the culmination of ten years work that started in 1982 when Helen joined the band The Astronauts with Simon Burton and David Lief... . |
In 1991 she returned to popular mainstream charts by lending her vocals to The Source's Top Ten British hit, "You Got the Love
You Got the Love
"You Got the Love" is a 1986 single by the band The Source and Candi Staton. One of its many remixers also adopted the name The Source. In 2008, the song was recorded by English soul singer Joss Stone for her fourth studio album, "Colour Me Free!" released in October 2009...
," a club-styled dance hit that sold two million copies and that is still considered a seminal classic of that era, leading to many remixes and cover versions being created. Staton signed with Intersound Records in 1995. In 2000, she released her eleventh album, Here's a Blessing. In 2004, the British record label Honest Jon's
Honest Jon's
Honest Jon’s is an independent record shop based on Portobello Road in Ladbroke Grove, London, going since 1974. The shop is owned and run by Mark Ainley and Alan Scholefield, who took over from one of the original proprietors, ‘Honest’ Jon Clare...
released a compilation CD of her country-soul work from the late 1960s and early 1970s, the self-titled Candi Staton, and Staton followed it up with a secular project in 2006 entitled His Hands, produced by Mark Nevers of Lambchop
Lambchop (band)
Lambchop, originally Posterchild, is a band from Nashville, Tennessee. Lambchop is loosely associated with the alternative country genre...
and with the title track written by Will Oldham
Will Oldham
Will Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
. Two of Staton's children, Cassandra Hightower (background vocals) and Marcus Williams (drums), joined her on the CD. A second studio album for Honest Jon's, titled Who's Hurting Now?, appeared in 2009.
Staton's television show New Direction airs on TBN
Trinity Broadcasting Network
The Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
. Staton has also made appearances on the Praise the Lord telecast with Paul Crouch
Paul Crouch
Paul Franklin Crouch is a religious broadcaster and, along with his wife Jan, co-founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network .-Biography:...
and his wife Jan Crouch.
Personal life
Staton has been married four times:- Joe Williams (1959–1968) (divorced) 4 children;
- Marcus Williams
- Marcel Williams
- Terry Williams
- Cassandra Hightower
- Clarence CarterClarence CarterClarence Carter is a blind American soul singer and musician.-Life and career:Born in Montgomery, Alabama on 14 January 1936, Carter attended the Alabama School for the Blind in Talladega, Alabama, and Alabama State College in Montgomery, graduating in August 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree...
(1970–1973) (divorced) 1 child;- Clarence Carter Jr.
- John Sussewell (1982–1998) (divorced)
- Otis NixonOtis NixonOtis Junior Nixon, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. He was a center fielder and switch-hitter who played from 1983 to 1999...
(2010-present)
Albums
- I'm Just a Prisoner (1969)
- Stand By Your Man (1971)
- Candi Staton (1972)
- Candi (1974)
- Young Hearts Run Free (1976) UK #34
- Music Speaks Louder Than Words (1977)
- House of Love (1978)
- Chance (1979)
- Candi Staton (1980)
- Nightlites (1982)
- Make Me An Instrument (1983)
- The Anointing (1985)
- Sing A Song (1986)
- Love Lifted Me (1988)
- Stand Up And Be A Witness (1990)
- Standing On The Promises (1991)
- I Give You Praise (1993)
- It's Time (1995)
- Cover Me (1997)
- Outside In (1999)
- Here's a Blessing (2000)
- Christmas In My Heart (2000)
- Glorify (2001)
- Proverbs 31 Woman (2002)
- His Hands (2006)
- The Ultimate Gospel Collection (2006)
- I Will Sing My Praise to You (2008)
- Who's Hurting Now? (Release: spring 2009)
Singles
- "I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than a Young Man's Fool) (1969) R&B #9 US #46
- "I'm Just A Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin'" (1969) US #56
- "Sweet Feeling" (1970) R&B #5 US #60
- "Stand By Your Man" (1970) R&B #4 US #24
- "He Called Me Baby" (1971) R&B #9 US #52
- "In The Ghetto" (1972) US #48
- "Do It In The Name Of Love" (1973) US #80
- "As Long as He Takes Care of Home" (1974) R&B #6
- "Young Hearts Run FreeYoung Hearts Run Free"Young Hearts Run Free" is a disco song by American soul singer Candi Staton. Released in 1976 from the album of the same title, it spent a week at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. It also peaked at number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Along with the tracks: "Run To Me"...
" (1976) US #20 UK #2 R&B #1 (1986 re-release #47, 1999 re-release #29) - "Destiny" (1976) UK #41
- "Nights On Broadway" (1977) UK #6 R&B #16 US #102
- "Honest I Do Love You" (1978) UK #48 R&B #77
- "Victim" (1978) R&B #17
- "When You Wake Up Tomorrow" (1979) R&B #13
- "Suspicious Minds" (1982) UK #31
- "You Got The Love" (1986) UK #95 R&B #88
- "You Got The LoveYou Got the Love"You Got the Love" is a 1986 single by the band The Source and Candi Staton. One of its many remixers also adopted the name The Source. In 2008, the song was recorded by English soul singer Joss Stone for her fourth studio album, "Colour Me Free!" released in October 2009...
" (The SourceThe Source (musician)The Source originally started out as an alias of unknown origin for Source Records's 1986 single release "You Got the Love" which featured Candi Staton. In 1989, DJ Eren, put Candi Staton's vocals over a track by Jamie Principle called "Your Love" which became a club hit. This was also released on...
featuring Candi Staton - 1991) UK #4 (1997 re-release UK #3 (Now Voyager Mix), 2005 import release UK #60, 2006 "You Got the Love (New Voyager Mix)" (featuring Candi Staton - re-release) #7 UK) - "Love On Love" (1999) UK #27
- "Young Hearts Run Free" (re-recording) (1999) UK #29
- "I Just Can't Get To Sleep At All" (2000) Energise Records, UK; limited release
- "Love Sweet Sound" Groove Armada featuring Candi Staton (2007)
- "Wilder Side" Rasmus Faber & Alf Tumble featuring Candi Staton (2010)
External links
- Candi Staton website, accessed 15 Aug 2008.
- Soul Express interview with Candi Staton, accessed 15 Aug 2008.
- Candi comments on her Fame recordings at Soul Express