En Vogue has sold over 28 million albums and singles worldwide. They have won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history, a total of 7 VMAs. The group was named the second most successful girl group of the 1990s and the 18th most successful act overall of the 1990s according to Billboard magazine.
Assembled in Oakland, California in July 1989, En Vogue launched with original members Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, Dawn Robinson and Terry Ellis. The inspiration for the group came when production duo of Foster and Mc Elroy envisioned a modern-day girl group in the tradition of the 1950s/1960s female trios. The blueprint was based on the plan of recruiting singers who possessed strong voices, noticeably good looks, and intelligence. Auditions were held in 1988, with Herron, Jones and Robinson making the final cut. Like previous girl groups, En Vogue was originally conceived as a trio, but after hearing Ellis audition, Foster and McElroy decided to create a quartet. At first, they selected the name "For You." They shifted to "Vogue", but ultimately settled on En Vogue, upon learning that another group had already claimed the Vogue moniker.
After forming, the group began working with their producers on their debut album. Recording began in August 1989 and wrapped up in December of the same year. Born to Sing was released on April 3, 1990. The album charted at number twenty-one on the Billboard 200 and number three on Billboard's R&B Albums Chart. The first single, "Hold On," was released to radio in late February 1990 and became a crossover pop hit, reaching number two on Billboard's Hot 100 singles charts, and number one on both the R&B singles and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts. It later went to #5 in the UK, and became a hit in Europe. The next two singles, "Lies" and "You Don't Have to Worry," each went to number one on the Billboard R&B charts, while the fourth and final single, "Don't Go," charted at number three on the Billboard R&B. The album was later certified platinum by the RIAA.
"Hold On" was awarded a Billboard Music Award for "R&B Single of the Year," a Soul Train Award for "R&B/Urban Contemporary Single of the Year, Group, Band or Duo" and have been nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group". In 1990, En Vogue signed an endorsement deal to appear in a Diet Coke commercial directed by Spike Lee.
En Vogue's second album, Funky Divas, was released in the spring of 1992. The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Billboard R&B and ultimately doubled the take of its predecessor, going multi-platinum. The album's first two singles: "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" both went top ten pop, and peaked at number one on the R&B charts. The next single, "Free Your Mind" also went top ten. The final two singles "Give It Up Turn It Loose" and "Love Don't Love You" both were top forty hits.
The album went on to sell more than three million copies, won an American Music Award for "Favorite Soul/R&B Album," and was nominated for five Grammy Awards. The music video for "Free Your Mind" earned the group three MTV Video Music Awards for "Best Choreography," "Best Dance Video," and "Best R&B Video." They were also honored with Soul Train's prestigious "Entertainer of the Year Award." In addition to this, the group were featured in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Essence among other major publications. Riding high on the success of Funky Divas, a six-song EP entitled Runaway Love was released in the fall of 1993, spawning the hit "Runaway Love."
The group was signed to an endorsement deal with Converse, and were featured as an opening act on Luther Vandross' 1993 tour. Among the numerous countries toured were England, Germany, the Netherlands and France which confirmed the group's live vocal and performing prowess. However, according to an article in Vibe magazine, Vandross (by his own admission in interviews) and his entourage clashed with the members of En Vogue during the tour and he vowed never to work with them again afterwards.
En Vogue also made numerous television appearances on such series as In Living Color, A Different World, Roc and Hangin' With Mr. Cooper (the latter two of which they also sang the show's theme songs.) In 1993, En Vogue were featured vocalists on Salt-N-Pepa's top ten hit "Whatta Man", from Salt-N-Pepa's Very Necessary album. The track also appeared (slightly edited) on En Vogue's Runaway Love EP.
In 1995, En Vogue was amongst numerous female vocalists featured on the song "Freedom" for the soundtrack to Panther. Also in 1995, group member Terry Ellis recorded a solo album entitled Southern Gal, which spun off the top ten R&B single "Where Ever You Are."
In 1996, En Vogue recorded "Don't Let Go (Love)" for the soundtrack to the motion picture Set It Off. Released in the autumn, it became the group's biggest hit to date; the single peaked at number two on the Hot 100, number one on the R&B singles chart, and was certified platinum by the RIAA. It, inadvertently, would also be the final En Vogue single to feature Robinson. One of Robinson's final performances with her bandmates came in October of that year, when the group sang the final National Anthem rendition in the history of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, which came in game five of the 1996 World Series.
In response to the large commercial success of "Don't Let Go (Love)", the group steadfastly went to work on its third album. As the album was nearing completion, Robinson chose to leave the group in April 1997 after difficult contractual negotiations reached a stalemate. Despite Robinson's abrupt departure, En Vogue resolved to continue on as a trio (forcing the group to re-record some of the tracks on their forthcoming album that had originally featured her on lead vocals).
EV3, the group's third album, was released in the spring and debuted at number eight on both the Billboard 200 and the Billboard R&B charts. The first single, the Babyface-penned and produced "Whatever" went on to become a top-20 pop hit, a top ten R&B hit, while also peaking at number five on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. On August 26, 1997, the single was certified gold by the RIAA. The follow-up single "Too Gone, Too Long" (which was produced by David Foster and written by Diane Warren) performed more modestly, managing to only peak in the top forty.
Despite its being certified platinum, and the album being nominated for Grammy Award and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award, sales of EV3 failed to live up to full commercial expectation. A world tour had been planned, but was canceled due to poor ticket sales. In 1998, En Vogue recorded "No Fool No More" for the soundtrack to the motion picture, Why Do Fools Fall In Love as well as a version of I Want A Monster to Be My Friend for the Elmopalooza special on ABC. The following year, a greatest hits compilation, The Best of En Vogue, was released.
In 2004, En Vogue (now composed of Ellis, Herron and Bennett) released Soul Flower on independent label 33rd Street Records. While the album failed to chart on the Billboard 200, it managed to peak at number forty-seven on the R&B charts. The albums two singles: "Losin' My Mind" and "Ooh Boy", however, failed to chart. Soon after promotion had finished on this album, Maxine Jones returned to En Vogue, turning the group back into a quartet for the first time since 1996. The group teamed with Boyz II Men for select concert dates during the summer of 2004. That same year En Vogue graced the cover of R&B Showcase magazine.
In 2005, after an eight-year absence, Robinson rejoined En Vogue. The original four went on to sign with one of the industry's largest management firms, The Firm Management Group. That September, they joined Salt N Pepa for the girl groups' first-ever joint public performance of their 1994 hit, "Whatta Man" at VH-1's Hip Hop Honors, and briefly toured. They also earned another Grammy nomination for the single "So What the Fuss", which featured Stevie Wonder and Prince (on guitar). The group also appeared in the single's music video. After failing to agree on business terms, Robinson once again chose to defect from En Vogue and Bennett returned. As a result, En Vogue was let go from The Firm. En Vogue continued to perform spot dates in North America with Terry Ellis, Maxine Jones, Cindy Herron and Rhona Bennett. This line-up also saw the group return to Europe and Japan for select concert dates. During this time, En Vogue teamed up with Belgian singer Natalia for a song called "Glamorous" where Rhona Bennett's vocals are featured. The single reached No. 2 in the Belgian charts and was followed by a DVD release of the concert, which went double platinum.
On June 24, 2008, the original lineup of En Vogue appeared on the BET Awards, performing with Alicia Keys, SWV and TLC as a tribute to girl groups of the 1990s. With speculation abuzz, En Vogue received the twenty-eighth highest number of hits on the Rock on the Net website for the month of June 2008. The following month, the group ascended to the twelfth position. As of June 30, Robinson stated via an En Vogue Yahoo! fan site that she had indeed returned to En Vogue. On August 6, the original members appeared on Los Angeles' KTLA television station and announced that they have reunited and would do spot dates around the country during the latter part of 2008. The foursome kicked off the Americana at Brand Concert Series in Glendale, California that same evening. Furthermore, En Vogue performed at the 2009 Essence Music Festival, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. They continue to tour throughout the United States. In October 2010, the band performed their first UK show in 18 years in London.
On September 26, 2011, a new single called "I'll Cry Later" was sent to select urban adult contemporary radio stations. In December 2011, Dawn Robinson left En Vogue once again.
In March 2012, a lawsuit was filed by Wells Fargo Bank against Rufftown, Inc. for breach of contract. On May 8, Cindy Herron announced on their official En Vogue Facebook page that no new album was coming out.[citation needed] En Vogue toured in 2012. In June 2012, Rhona Bennett, who was filling in for Robinson's absence announced on her Facebook page that she was in rehearsals with the group, hinting that she was once again filling in for Robinson.
In August 2012, Maxine Jones, as well as Dawn Robinson, left the group and would begin their own En Vogue with two new members and would be touring, releasing solo albums and potentially another group album. Herron and Ellis would continue to tour as En Vogue with Rhona Bennett. It was also soon announced that the members would take each other to court for use of the En Vogue name; a judge ruled that Herron and Ellis, as holders of the group's LLC, had exclusive rights to the group's name. Herron and Ellis filed suit against Jones and Robinson, demanding $1 million for unauthorized use of the name, though the damages request was ultimately determined to be without merit, as Herron and Ellis could not demonstrate harm done to the company from Jones's use of the name (although Robinson was named in the suit, she was not directly involved in the dispute, as she had surrendered her rights to use the name herself when she departed from the LLC years earlier).
In late 2012, Robinson and Jones announced that they would be starting a new group called "Heirs to the Throne". In 2013, Robinson chose not to begin a new group with Jones and joined the cast of the reality show "R&B Divas: L.A.". In early 2013, Jones began a touring with Alison Carney and Maria Freeman as her new line-up of En Vogue, entitled En Vogue to the Max.
In March 2012, a lawsuit was filed by Wells Fargo Bank against Rufftown, Inc. for breach of contract. On May 8, Cindy Herron announced on their official En Vogue Facebook page that no new album was coming out. En Vogue toured in 2012. In June 2012, Rhona Bennett, who was filling in for Robinson's absence announced on her Facebook page that she was in rehearsals with the group, hinting that she was once again filling in for Robinson.
In July 2014, Pyramid Records announced that En Vogue (Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron-Braggs, Rhona Bennett) will be recording a new studio album. Their first one in almost ten years since their last studio album Soulflower.
Give It Up Turn It Loose
En Vogue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe in yesterday
What's the problem?
You keep comin' in and keep comin' out and singin flat
I'm sorry, I'm sorry
What's wrong? What's wrong?
You're not concentrating
No, you're not
I'm sorry, let's just do it again
Nonono, uh uh. What's the problem
There's no problem.
Dawn, what's wrong?
There's nothing wrong, Terry.
Kevin.
Mmhm
Please don't tell me it's Kevin.
Mmhm
Ew, Kevin Swahili, I knew it! He's got cooties.
And he's seeing Tamika right now
And everybody else
He is not seeing Raneka
He is.
How you know?
Wait a minute guys.
Wait wait wait. You guys, we should not attack her, it sounds like it's
serious because we can't concentrate and get this right. So, let's deal with
the problem.
You see, I've been through this myself, and, let's talk.
And it goes a little something like this - hit it.
Mmm.....
Baby girl (unfair but true)
Can love him once but not twice
Who plays games with no rules (a fool)
Tears for fears (are no surprise)
Happens almost every time
Love knocks you on your behind
(Loved you hard, loved you long, now his love is gone)
Love 'em and leave 'em (is the rule of most dogs)
You must be strong
Stand up on your own
Take control of your life
I've seen it time and time again
It's not worth it, no
Don't be down and miserable
You and only you
Can bring yourself around
Give it up, turn it loose
Oh, if it don't wantcha, you don't need 'em, girl, yeah
Give it up, turn it loose
Oh, you got to have
Fact of life (so sad but true)
Love can often hurt you
Leaving scars most of your life (nightmares can haunt you)
But fairytales of love, can come true
Both play tricks on your mind
(You'll be fine, take this time, to find piece of mind)
Sooner or later (bad feelings will die)
You must be strong
Don't blame it all on love
In time good things will come
I've seen time and time again
It's not worth it, no no
Don't be down and miserable
You and only you
Can bring yourself around
Give it up, turn it loose
Oh, if it don't wantcha, you don't need 'em, girl... yeah
Give it up, turn it loose
Oh, you got to have
(Give it up)
Give it up
(Give up)
Give it up
(Give up)
Give it up
Give it up turn it loose
Turnin' it loose, baby
The lyrics of En Vogue's "Give It Up Turn It Loose" song express the idea that heartbreak and pain are inevitable experiences that come with love. The song is also an encouragement for people to move on from relationships that no longer serve them well. The opening lines, "I believe in yesterday," express a sense of yearning for happier times in the past. The first part of the song is a dialogue between the members of the group discussing the reason for their inability to perform. The conversation veers towards a discussion of relationship problems, with Dawn being the focus due to Kevin Swahili's alleged unfaithfulness. The dialogue before the song speaks on the struggles of navigating relationships with partners who do not have your best interest at heart, and the distracting effects it can have on one's career or other endeavors.
The chorus, "Give it up, turn it loose, oh if it don't wantcha, you don't need 'em girl," is an empowering message to anyone who has experienced heartbreak or is in a toxic relationship. The lines "you must be strong, stand up on your own, take control of your life," further emphasize the theme of self-empowerment and personal agency.
The song's overall message is about the need for self-love and growth, especially in the face of heartbreak. The lyrics emphasize the idea that you deserve better and that you have the power to control your own happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe in yesterday
The singer has an attachment to the past
What's the problem?
Asking for clarification about a situation that seems off
You keep comin' in and keep comin' out and singin flat
The other person is consistently inconsistent and not performing well
I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Apologizing for something they may or may not have caused
What's wrong? What's wrong?
Insisting on finding out why things are not going well
You're not concentrating
Pointing out a lack of focus
Yes, I am concentrating
Denying the accusation of a lack of focus
No, you're not
The other person still disagrees about the lack of focus
I'm sorry, let's just do it again
Trying to start over in a difficult situation
Nonono, uh uh. What's the problem
Pushing to figure out the root cause of the poor performance
There's no problem.
Denying that there is anything wrong
Dawn, what's wrong?
Directing a question to a specific person
There's nothing wrong, Terry.
Denying that anything is wrong
Kevin.
A name is mentioned, likely indicating someone who is causing issues
Mmhm
Confirmation that the named person is the cause of an issue
Please don't tell me it's Kevin.
A request to not confirm that Kevin is the issue
Ew, Kevin Swahili, I knew it! He's got cooties.
Mocking the person causing the issue with childlike insults
And he's seeing Tamika right now
Spreading gossip about the person causing the issue
And everybody else
Implying that the person causing the issue is not faithful
He is not seeing Raneka
Denying that the person causing the problem is involved with someone else
He is.
Insisting that the person causing the problem is involved with someone else
How you know?
Questioning how the information about the person causing the problem was obtained
Wait a minute guys. Wait wait wait. You guys, we should not attack her, it sounds like it's serious because we can't concentrate and get this right. So, let's deal with the problem.
Suggesting that the group should not blame the person causing the issue and instead focus on solutions
You see, I've been through this myself, and, let's talk.
Identifying that the artist has relevant experience to share
And it goes a little something like this - hit it.
A prompt to start the advice
Baby girl (unfair but true)
An affectionate term said before offering tough love advice
Can love him once but not twice
Explaining that it is not always smart to give someone another chance after they hurt you the first time
Who plays games with no rules (a fool)
Calling out someone who plays emotional games without respecting other people's feelings as a fool
Tears for fears (are no surprise)
Acknowledging that feeling emotional pain after heartbreak is completely normal
Happens almost every time
Suggesting that heartbreak is a common result of relationships
Love knocks you on your behind
Using a metaphor to explain how love can knock you down emotionally
(Loved you hard, loved you long, now his love is gone)
Reciting a phrase that reinforces how difficult it can be when love ends
Love 'em and leave 'em (is the rule of most dogs)
Criticizing people who only care about their own pleasure when it comes to romantic relationships
You must be strong
Encouraging the listener to be strong in a tough time
Stand up on your own
Encouraging independence and self-sufficiency during a difficult time
Take control of your life
Encouraging the listener to take steps to control their own life and happiness
I've seen it time and time again
Suggesting that the advice being given is based on past experiences
It's not worth it, no
Saying that heartbreak and drama is not worth the pain it causes
Don't be down and miserable
Encouraging the listener to not give up and feel depressed
You and only you
Suggesting that it is up to the individual to take action to improve their life
Can bring yourself around
Ending on a message of hope and empowerment
Give it up, turn it loose
Encouraging the listener to let go and move on from a difficult situation
Oh, if it don't wantcha, you don't need 'em, girl, yeah
Reinforcing that if someone does not want you, you do not need them
Fact of life (so sad but true)
Acknowledging that life is not always easy or pleasant
Love can often hurt you
Explaining that love can often lead to hurt and pain
Leaving scars most of your life (nightmares can haunt you)
Describing how romantic pain can leave a lasting impact on a person's life and mental health
But fairytales of love, can come true
Ending on a hopeful message that love can still be magical and happy
Both play tricks on your mind
Acknowledging that love and heartbreak can be confusing and emotional
('You'll be fine, take this time, to find piece of mind)
Offering calming and reassuring words to lift the listener's spirits
Sooner or later (bad feelings will die)
Reminding the listener that time can heal even the toughest emotional wounds
Don't blame it all on love
Suggesting that one should not blame love for all situations, as there are many factors at play
In time good things will come
Ending on another hopeful message about future happiness
Give it up turn it loose
Repeating the message about letting go and moving forward
Turnin' it loose, baby
Ending the song with the repeated message once again
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DENZIL FOSTER, THOMAS MCELROY, THOMAS DERRICK MC ELROY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Right_Direction_
Maxine Jones SLAYS this lead and boy does she look so utterly stunning in this video, they all do. THIS IS THE REAL EN VOGUE RIGHT HERE!
@virginiaredbone771
Yesssssss...π―π₯
@virginiaredbone771
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@o0R3stless0o
Make sure to go to her IG and show her some Love. She deserves it! β€
@reginaldroundtree1325
I wish they would all get back together.
@melaniep6964
Yes, absolutely beautiful!
@martinkreps9946
These girls had everything: the class, the harmonies, the looks, the style, the package, the vocals,
everything.
@user-pr5tc8pf1v
Except the money that they deserved
@marlonnorris9288
The main reason why I love and still love En Vogue is that any of them could sing lead. Best Female Group Of All Time!
@hotchocolate6320
Facts π―