Candi Staton is basically a walking miracle. If you grew up in the 70s, you know her as the "First Lady of Southern Soul" or the voice behind that massive disco anthem Young Hearts Run Free. But if you stop there, you’re missing the most important part of her soul. Honestly, the industry spent decades trying to box her into being just another R&B diva, while she spent that same time trying to get back to the pulpit.
She’s 85 now. And she’s finally getting her flowers.
The Gospel Roots Most People Forget
Most fans think her career started in Muscle Shoals with Rick Hall. That's wrong. Before the R&B hits and the sparkly disco dresses, she was Canzetta Maria Staton, a girl from Hanceville, Alabama, who was singing for her life. By the time she was a teenager, she was already a pro. We’re talking about the Jewell Gospel Trio.
They weren't just singing in local churches; they were touring with the heavyweights. Imagine being 13 and sharing a stage with Mahalia Jackson or the Soul Stirrers. That’s where Candi Staton gospel music really lives—in that raw, traditional 1950s fire. She wasn't just "influenced" by gospel; it was her first language.
But the world wanted secular hits. So she gave them to us. She gave us Stand By Your Man and those gritty Southern soul tracks that made her a star.
Then came the 80s.
The 1982 Pivot: Leaving the Disco Lights Behind
Success is a weird thing. By 1982, Candi was tired. She’d dealt with abusive marriages, a nasty battle with alcoholism, and a music industry that chewed people up. She basically said "enough" and walked away from secular music entirely.
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She didn't just "try" gospel; she lived it. She founded Beracah Ministries in Atlanta with her husband at the time, John Sussewell. For the next 20 years, she was a gospel-only artist. If you weren't in the church or watching the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), you might have thought she disappeared. You’d be wrong. She was recording at a feverish pace.
Albums like Make Me an Instrument (1983) and Sing a Song (1986) weren't just side projects. They were her survival guide. These records were stripped-back, urgent, and deeply personal. It’s funny because while the US was ignoring her gospel work, a weird thing happened in Europe. A track called You Got the Love—which was originally a gospel-heavy record—got remixed into a dance anthem.
Suddenly, Candi Staton gospel music was the soundtrack to the UK rave scene. Talk about divine irony.
Back to My Roots: The 2025/2026 Resurgence
Right now, in early 2026, we’re seeing a massive full-circle moment. Her latest album, Back to My Roots, which dropped on Valentine’s Day last year, just earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Roots Gospel Album. It’s her first nomination in 40 years. Think about that for a second.
This isn't a "legacy" award for being old. The music is actually incredible. She recorded it with her British band, PUSH, and it feels like a Muscle Shoals session from 1970 but with the wisdom of an 85-year-old saint.
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Why this album hits differently:
- The personal history: The track 1963 is a haunting, first-hand account of the Birmingham church bombing.
- The family connection: It was produced by her son, Marcus Williams. Her sister Maggie even sings on a few tracks.
- The grit: She covers the Rolling Stones’ Shine A Light and turns it into a Sunday morning testify session.
People always ask why she went back and forth between genres. Candi’s answer is usually pretty simple: it’s all the same feeling. Whether she’s singing about a cheating man or the grace of God, she’s singing about the human condition.
What You Should Listen To First
If you're new to the spiritual side of her catalog, don't start with the polished stuff. Go for the raw power.
Look for The Anointing (1985) or the new record. You’ll hear a voice that has been through the fire and didn't come out smelling like smoke. She’s dealt with breast cancer, divorce, and the loss of peers like Aretha Franklin, yet she’s still here.
Most people get Candi Staton wrong because they think her gospel years were a "break" from her real career. In reality, the soul and disco years were just the detour. The church was always the destination.
Actionable Insights for the Soul Music Fan
If you want to truly appreciate the depth of Candi Staton’s contribution to American music, start by diversifying your playlist beyond her 70s hits.
- Track down the Beracah era: Many of her 80s and 90s gospel albums are now surfacing on streaming platforms. Seek out Love Lifted Me for a masterclass in vocal control.
- Compare the versions: Listen to the original 1986 version of You Got the Love alongside the Source remix. It helps you see how gospel foundations actually built the house of modern dance music.
- Support the new work: Her 2025 album Back to My Roots is a rare example of a veteran artist capturing their "prime" sound late in life. It’s essential listening for anyone who claims to love Southern soul.