I find it hard to believe that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards can actually credit themselves with writing this song when, in fact, a huge part of it is identical to The Staple Singers’ 1960 song of the same name. Described as the Stones ‘first original song’, this was the band’s third UK single to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart when it was released over a decade after the Staple Singers original, original!!
The Last Time is credited to Jagger/Richards, but at no point does it even hint upon its direct copy – in melody and lyrics – to The Staple Singers’ This May Be The Last Time! It wasn’t until 2003 that Richards (generous that he is) finally acknowledged the direct copy when he mentioned how, “We came up with ‘The Last Time’, which was basically re-adapting a traditional gospel song that had been sung by the Staple Singers, but luckily the song itself goes back into the mists of time.”
Yes, luckily for the Stones, this song does date back at least three decades before The Staple Singers glorious rendition, but I still say that they could’ve been credited and it appears I am not alone in thinking this!! Many gospel fans felt The Stones ripped the song off, since The Staple Singers never got any royalties from it, but because it is a traditional song (meaning no one owns the rights to it), many artists have recorded it. The Stones, however, were a very high-profile band that had success reworking songs by black artists into hits. Many people believe The Stones should have compensated The Staple Singers because it was based on their version of the song…and I wholly agree!!!! Lyrically, The Stones just made the song all about a stern message to a girl, whereas The Staples version had a was far more uplifting and spiritual!
It May Be de Las’ Time dates back to 1930 when it was first published in “The Negro Sings a New Heaven” by Mary Allen Grissom. This traditional African-American gospel song inspired many versions to follow. Eagle Jubilee Four (1938), Five Blind Boys of Alabama (1953), Staple Singers (1960), James Brown (1964) and Rolling Stones (1965)!
Nothing comes close to The Staple Singers as far as I’m concerned…. Check it out above!
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