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.
Happiness
Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been thinkin of you ever since the day we met
Given me happiness and I feel the fire burning with desire
And I swear I won't forget
Can you tell what you have done for me
You opened up my eyes and I see
We've stood through the test of time
And you've given me happiness and I know it's real
Girl you make me feel so good and I know
That you belong to me
Given me happiness the way you show you care
And how your always there for me
It's like I'm in a dream
You just came along and won my heart
It happened from the very start
I thank god for who you are
Your my bright shining star ooh
You belong to me
The song "Happiness" by Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly is a beautiful declaration of love and gratitude between two people in a relationship. The opening lines "You've given me happiness and I really love you, I've been thinkin of you ever since the day we met" set the tone for the entire song, indicating that the singer has found deep happiness through their relationship with this person. It's clear that the person being addressed in the song has had a profound impact on the singer's life, "You opened up my eyes and I see" and has stood the test of time, "We've stood through the test of time, And oh I'm glad that your mine".
As the song progresses, we see that the singer is overwhelmed with positive emotions for their partner, "Given me happiness and I feel the fire burning with desire". The singer emphasizes how important their partner is to them, "Can you tell what you have done for me", and how much they mean to them, "Girl you make me feel so good and I know, That you belong to me". The song's chorus is a celebration of the happiness that this relationship has brought, and how the singer knows that it's real.
The last verse embodies the awe that the singer feels in regards to their partner, "You just came along and won my heart, It happened from the very start". The singer expresses gratitude for their partner, recognizes the value of their kindness, "The way you show you care, And how your always there for me", and acknowledges their belief that they are meant to be together, "Your my bright shining star, You belong to me".
Overall, the song is a beautiful homage to a loving and supportive relationship where one person acknowledges the happiness and gratitude that their partner has brought into their life.
Line by Line Meaning
You've given me happiness and I really love you
Your affection has brought me joy and I adore you
I've been thinkin of you ever since the day we met
I constantly reminisce about the day we first met
Given me happiness and I feel the fire burning with desire
Your love has ignited a passion in me that brings me joy
And I swear I won't forget
I promise to always remember the happiness you've given me
Can you tell what you have done for me
Do you realize the impact you've had on my life?
You opened up my eyes and I see
You've helped me see things in a new light
We've stood through the test of time
Our love has endured the challenges of life
And oh I'm glad that your mine ooh
I'm grateful to have you as my partner
And you've given me happiness and I know it's real
I'm certain that the happiness you've given me is genuine
Girl you make me feel so good and I know
You bring me immense joy and it's undeniable
That you belong to me
I'm proud to call you mine
Given me happiness the way you show you care
The love you show me brings immense happiness
And how your always there for me
Your constant support brings happiness to my life
It's like I'm in a dream
Our love feels surreal and too good to be true
You just came along and won my heart
You captured my heart with ease
It happened from the very start
From the beginning, I knew you were the one for me
I thank god for who you are
I'm grateful to God for bringing you into my life
Your my bright shining star ooh
You brighten up my life like a shining star
You belong to me
You are mine and I cherish you
Contributed by Aria M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Trucker Rob
I swear listening to Frankie Beverly got me down these highways. I absolutely love his voice. To me, HE'S THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME without question
Paulette Theus
Such a beautiful song. My husband and I was together for 31 years he died five years ago and two weeks after that my father died. During that dark period music and prayers were my the light of my life. Frankie and Maze, is what I listen to most of the time as days I wanted mellow soft music and then days I wanted some fun music. You are the GOAT. Thanks for help healing a broken heart.
Moe Den
One of my favorite Maze songs.... This man means what he sings
Cynthia Winn
This is my FAVORITE Song of all times!! My late husband played it for me the night before my Mother's Homegoing told me he had something he wanted me to listen to We sat in his Sierra and listen to it I believe twice never knowing that he would be deceased 5 years later. I know my husband love me unconditionally. Whenever I listen to this song I feel So close to him I believe he felt that after my mom had passed knowing she was my heart that he had me to himself my whole heart needless to say he had it anyway he loved my mom and always said that mothers are the next thing to God! He is missed every day and it's been almost 10 years. We were married for 32 years 3 months and 24 days. I miss him sooooo MUCH!💔💛😢
Elsie Robinson Varmall
This song add soo much harmony to my soul.
Carnella Patterson
For real now that's real talk 💯
Bernice Pigram
I PLAY THIS SONG EVERY NIGHT. MY JAM FOREVER. MY BABY IS OUT OF TOWN. PKEASE COME HOME SOON.
Latunya Williams
I love it, as long as I have been listening to maze, today 2021 this song is what I needed to hear, omg!! Soothing and depth
Karus Pitts
Indeed
Ricky Smith
I agree