Maze are a soul / quiet storm band, also known alternately as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Frankie Beverly and Maze, was established in San Francisco, California in the early 1970s.
The band can be considered as the project formerly known as The Butlers, and later Raw Soul, with member Frankie Beverly being songwriter, record producer, arranger, singer, keyboardist and guitarist.
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. 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 following. They also had success with the 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 US 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 and 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.
The group released their next album, 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 also featured on this album. The latter single also became the band's biggest hit in the UK, where it peaked at number 36 on the charts.
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. 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 .
In 2009, a tribute to the hits of Maze was released. Called Silky Soul Music: An All Star Tribute to Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, it included modern stars performing Maze's biggest hits with Maze acting as the backing band.
On September 2, 2011, their percussionist and background singer, McKinley "Bug" Williams, died of an apparent heart attack at a hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Maze continues to tour around the United States as well as Europe to this day. Every year they are the closing act for the Essence Music Festival.
Changing Times
Maze feat. Frankie Beverly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's enough to really blow your mind
You and me we keep on pushing and pushing
We'll get through these changing times
Things are up things are down lord it's crazy
To survive you've got to know the signs
You and me we keep on lovin and lovin
We'll get through these changing times
We'll get through these changing times
In this world there are all kinds changes
It's enough to really blow your mind
You and me we keep on pushing and pushing
We'll get through these changing times
We'll get through these changing times
We'll get through these changing times
We'll get through these changing times
The lyrics of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly's "Changing Times" are about the challenges and uncertainties of life in a changing world. The opening lines of the song suggest that the world is full of all kinds of changes that can be overwhelming and mind-blowing. However, the song emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of these changes. Beverly encourages his listener that "you and me we keep on pushing and pushing" and he assures them that they will "get through these changing times."
The song acknowledges the ups and downs of life and the necessity of staying attuned to the signs in order to survive. Despite the unfathomable craziness that can come with surviving, Beverly suggests that love and a persistent spirit can see us through the changing times.
"Changing Times" is more than just a soulful and R&B tune; it is a reflection of the world at that time. Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly displayed an amazing ability to write and produce songs that spoke to the soul of the black community, particularly in the 1970s and 80s. The song resonates with people from all over the world, especially those who are experiencing personal struggles or who are living in uncertain times.
Line by Line Meaning
In this world there are all kinds changes
The world is constantly changing in various ways.
It's enough to really blow your mind
The changes can be overwhelming and hard to comprehend.
You and me we keep on pushing and pushing
Despite the changes, we continue to persevere and work hard.
We'll get through these changing times
We will make it through the difficult times brought on by change.
Things are up things are down lord it's crazy
The changes can bring both positive and negative developments, which can be unpredictable and confusing.
To survive you've got to know the signs
It is important to recognize and understand the changes in order to adapt and survive.
You and me we keep on lovin and lovin
Despite the challenges, we continue to love and support each other.
We'll get through these changing times
We will make it through the difficult times brought on by change.
We'll get through these changing times
We will make it through the difficult times brought on by change.
We'll get through these changing times
We will make it through the difficult times brought on by change.
Contributed by Jeremiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tyrone Augustine
This song predicted today's times 2020 been a hell of a year..the world changed drastically....We will get through these changing times!!
henry clemons
we have to prepare my brother,stay in tune
Ernest Benavidez
And it's still changing we must endure and preserve through our faith through these changing times
Eric Stewart
One of the Greatest Performers ever. You can't say enough about his feel good music.
Joanie Taylor
Loving this song even this 68th Birthday...The World keeps Changing But God Stays The Same..I shall keep pushing
henry clemons
AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO
Joanie Taylor
Gods Grace
Hannah Brooksbank
Many years since I saw Maze in London and my heart is still in love with them ♥️🙏🎶🎵💕😍
ddesign63
All I can say is, THANK YOU Frankie Beverly and Maze !❤️✊🏾
Mackmeister
The message in this song is definitely relevant to what's going on now in this pandemic.