The Philadelphia born Beverly started the group as Raw Soul in 1970. They recorded a couple of singles on the small Gregar label, but without any major hits. But with a few personnel changes, a relocation from Philadelphia to the San Francisco Bay Area in California in 1971, and an introduction to Marvin Gaye, the group became an immediate success. Gaye took the group on the road with him as one of his opening acts, and in 1976 he suggested that they changed their name from Raw Soul to Maze.
Maze signed a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1976, and released their debut album, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, in 1977. From that album, the hit singles included "Happy Feelin's," "While I'm Alone," and "Lady of Magic"; ultimately giving them their first gold record and earning Maze a devoted fan base. They also had success with the following albums Golden Time of Day (1978), Inspiration (1979) and Joy and Pain (1980).
Their next recording was Live in New Orleans, three quarters of which was recorded at the Saenger Theatre, on November 14–15, 1980. Three of those songs got into the U.S. R&B chart, including "Running Away," "Before I Let Go," and "We Need Love To Live." By that time, the band had both a reputation in America also enjoyed a following in the United Kingdom with promotional support from the British DJ Robbie Vincent. In May 1985, Maze sold out eight nights at the Hammersmith Odeon.
In 1989, they signed with Warner Bros. and released the hit album Silky Soul, plus Back to Basics in 1993, and released the live DVD recording at London's Hammersmith Odeon in 1994. The two albums also attained gold disc status.
The group released Can't Stop the Love in March 1985, which featured the group's first number one R&B hit "Back In Stride." The Top 5 follow-up, "Too Many Games," was part of that recording. They had another number one R&B success with "Can't Get Over You."
In October 2004, "Twilight" appeared in the video game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on funk radio station, Bounce FM.
Maze continues to tour around the United States as well as Europe to this day. Every year they are the also the closing act for the Essence Music Festival.
Back In Stride
Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll tell you something I'm not gonna let it get me down
I been going through some funky changes changes are the same
We like the joy but we can't really stand the pain
I'm just happy to see you and me
Back in stride again
I'm just happy to see you and me
I'm gonna try to keep it coming things ain't always smooth
But I'll be alright as long as I can feel the groove
Some how I know that I can make it you seem to like my style
Well don't you worry I'm gonna be around awhile
I'm just happy to see you and me
Back in stride again
I'm just happy to see you and me
Back in stride again
Tell you what I'm gonna do
I just want to be with you
Gonna give it all I can
Yes I'm back in stride again
There's so much going on it's crazy trouble all around
I tell you something I'm not gonna let it get me down
I been going through some funky changes changes are the same
We like the joy but we can't really stand the pain
I'm just happy to see you and me
Back in stride again
I'm just happy to see you and me
Back in stride again
Tell you what I'm gonna do
I just want to be with you
Gonna give it all I can
Yes I'm back in stride again
Back in stride again
Back in stride again
Back in stride again
Back in stride again
The opening lines of "Back in Stride" suggest that there's a lot happening all around, but the singer refuses to let it bring them down. Despite going through some changes, which may be challenging or unpleasant, the singer sees hope and joy in the fact that they are "back in stride" with someone they care about. They acknowledge that there's no joy without pain, but they're happy to have overcome whatever obstacles they faced to arrive back in this positive place.
The chorus of the song is a celebration of being back in stride once again. The singer is content to be with the person they care about, and they promise to give it their all. The overall message is one of perseverance and resilience. The difficulties of life may knock us off balance, but we have to keep pushing through them to get back to the good times.
Overall, the song is about the ups and downs of life, and the importance of staying positive and strong even when things get tough. It's a message that has resonated with listeners for decades, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
There's so much going on it's crazy trouble all around
The world is chaotic and there are problems everywhere
I'll tell you something I'm not gonna let it get me down
I won't let the problems bring me down
I been going through some funky changes changes are the same
I've been undergoing changes, as we all do
We like the joy but we can't really stand the pain
We enjoy the good times, but struggle through the tough ones
I'm just happy to see you and me Back in stride again
I'm glad we're back to being ourselves together again
I'm gonna try to keep it coming things ain't always smooth
I'll make an effort to keep things going, despite the bumps in the road
But I'll be alright as long as I can feel the groove
As long as I'm in sync with myself and the people around me, I'll be okay
Some how I know that I can make it you seem to like my style
I have confidence that I can handle what comes my way, and I appreciate your support
Well don't you worry I'm gonna be around awhile
You can count on me to stick around for a while
Tell you what I'm gonna do I just want to be with you
I'm committed to spending time with you
Gonna give it all I can Yes I'm back in stride again
I'll do my best, and I feel good about being myself again
Back in stride again Back in stride again Back in stride again Back in stride again
Repeating the chorus to emphasize our renewed sense of self and togetherness
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FRANKIE BEVERLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikebrown1052
Lawd, Lawd, Lawdy !!!!!! Real Deal Music. I'm so very happy that I'm a product of this era when people genuinely loved one another and had REAL FUN 🎼👏🏿🎼👏🏿🎼👌🏿👍🏿!!!!!
@oldskoolmusicforever0724
COME ON ROCK AND ROLL VOTERS,PUT THESE MEN IN THE HALL OF FAME ALREADY.THEY DESERVE THAT SO MUCH.
@autolife2785
Makes me think of my family reunions every summer. They've played this and other Maze hits over the years at our picnics!
@KarimBenhamouda-ww1qe
Superbe album 1985 du groupe maze, back in stride, too many games 2 superbes titres
@SeanRankin2
I remember this coming out in the spring of 1985 🥂💯
@kwakuboatenggyapon1842
Gone at the days when we were in high schools,with carrie lucas summer in the street the whispers emergency,dazz band and many more.l play them every weekend on my yamaha 1020 amp.superb come on this generation does't know funk and jazz.
@TheLyounger66
Back in stride again. Who still jamming this in 2019/2020
@mitchsalawine5420
2/27/2020
@desmondmorrison7317
3-25-2020 still listing to this
@nerdsfortheculture
Got to see them live not to long ago!!! Man they still got it!!!!!!! This song sounds so good live!!!!!! Everyone needs to do themselves a favor and see them As soon as outside open back up