Mavis Staples Shares Prince-Inspired Song ‘Worthy’

Mavis Staples shared a new single inspired by fellow icon and collaborator, Prince. “Worthy” saw Mavis working with Mark Ronson protégé MNDR and arrived today through ANTI- Records.

Prince and Mavis Staples became close friends and collaborated extensively in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Prince wrote songs on and produced Staples’ 1989 album Times Waits For No One and 1993’s The Voice, which arrived via his Paisley Park Records.

Mavis’ new nod to her late collaborator and friend, “Worthy,” was produced by MNDR, who detailed the experience of recording with Staples.

“Working with the legendary Mavis Staples seems like a dream. Listening to her soulful voice, spending time in her grace, and watching her artistry in the studio as the trailblazing icon of music and culture was an experience too profound to put into words and one that I will never forget. As I listened to her breathe life into our song ‘Worthy’ – a song of celebration through good times and hard times, a song to celebrate ourselves and others – I realized that there is no other artist who could give this song more spirit and soul than Mavis Staples, a legend, an icon. It was one of the most profound moments of my life, and I am forever grateful.”

Mavis also shared her thoughts on “Worthy.”

“It’s a pick-me-up song – it’s a celebration, and you can’t help but move,” she said. “Certain songs just cover you, and this song is just so sassy and fire. It’s got me fired up.”

Listen to “Worthy” below:

Mavis Staples will release a children’s book, Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples’, on July 9. Currently on tour in Europe, the legendary singer returns to the U.S. on July 4 ahead of a tour with Norah Jones. Scroll down for her itinerary with ticket info.