Only for the Lonely
Mavis Staples · 1970
28 min · 9 tracks · blues
Soulful ballads intertwine with bluesy undertones, showcasing Mavis Staples' emotive vocal prowess against a backdrop of poignant instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Have Learned to Do Without You — This track opens the album with a powerful declaration of independence, setting the emotional tone for the entire project while highlighting Staples' dynamic vocal control.
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Since I Fell for You — A heartfelt rendition that captures the pain of love lost, this track showcases Staples' ability to convey vulnerability through nuanced phrasing and emotive delivery.
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It Makes Me Wanna Cry — Its poignant lyrics paired with Staples' soulful interpretation create an atmosphere of deep longing, making it a standout moment on the album that resonates with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and emotive performances, establishing Mavis Staples as a solo artist.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, soulful track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a series of ballads that maintain a similar emotional weight.
- Mavis Staples' vocal delivery varies from soft and intimate to powerful and soaring, particularly in the climactic moments of several songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- heartfelt introspection during solitude
- quick emotional releases throughout
- rich vocals for reflective moments
- soulful melodies for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party tracks
- prefer longer, immersive albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1970, 'Only for the Lonely' was Mavis Staples' debut solo album following her tenure with The Staple Singers. This marked a significant transition as she sought to establish her individual identity in music, stepping away from the gospel influences that defined her earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aretha Franklin· Tina Turner· Etta James
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Since I Fell for You
The bridge where the singer reflects on heartbreak and unfulfilled promises shifts from past affection to present sorrow.
This shift in focus emphasizes the contrast between what once was and what remains, enhancing the emotional weight of the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Have Learned to Do Without You 4:09
- 2 How Many Times 3:21
- 3 Endlessly 3:08
- 4 You're the Fool 2:40
- 5 Since I Fell for You 3:34
- 6 What Happened to the Real Me 2:35
- 7 Since You Became a Part of My Life 3:30
- 8 It Makes Me Wanna Cry 2:50
- 9 Don't Change Me Now 2:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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