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.
Just Us
Maze feat. Frankie Beverly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But if that's what we want everything will be ok
I love will survive if we really need eachother
No matter how hard we can surely find a way
The closer we get the more we're gonna find the reason
Soon we will have a love that cannot be denied
I'm gonna be right there to help you
You can depend that I will be right by your side
Just us we're gonna make it we're gonna make it you and I
Just us we're gonna make it we're gonna make it you and I
There's gonna be time we'll have to show some understanding
Whatever it is I know that we can work it out
The joys and the pains is something we'll go through
I do believe that's what love is all about
We live and we learn that's the way life treat us
Sometimes you'll see things that make you doubt your mind
I'm gonna be right there I'm gonna be right there to love you
Cause I do believe that love will stand the test of time
Just us we're gonna make it we're gonna make it if we try
Just us we're gonna make it we're gonna make it you and I
Just us we're gonna make it
Just us just us just us just us
Just us just us just us just us
The song "Just Us" by Maze feat. Frankie Beverly is about the power of love and companionship in overcoming obstacles that arise in relationships. The lyrics express that although maintaining a relationship can sometimes be tough, it is worth the effort to be together with someone you love. The chorus states that "just us" (referring to the couple) can make it through any challenges as long as they try and work together.
The verses of the song touch on different aspects of relationships. The first verse highlights the idea that love can survive even through difficult times, as long as the couple truly needs each other. The second verse mentions the importance of understanding and working through issues that come up in order to maintain the relationship. The overall message of the song is one of hope and belief that love can triumph through any situation.
Line by Line Meaning
It's gonna be tough if we are to be together
The journey to be with each other will have its challenges
But if that's what we want everything will be ok
As long as we want this enough, we can overcome any obstacle
I love will survive if we really need eachother
Our strong love for each other will prevail if we truly need it to
No matter how hard we can surely find a way
No matter how difficult things may seem, we will find a solution
The closer we get the more we're gonna find the reason
As we grow closer, we will discover the purpose of our love
Soon we will have a love that cannot be denied
Our love will become undeniable as time passes
I'm gonna be right there to help you
I will always be there to support and assist you
You can depend that I will be right by your side
You can trust that I will always be by your side
Just us we're gonna make it we're gonna make it if we try
We will succeed as long as it's just us and we put in the effort
There's gonna be time we'll have to show some understanding
There will be times when we need to be patient and empathetic
Whatever it is I know that we can work it out
No matter the issue, we have the capability to resolve it
The joys and the pains is something we'll go through
We will experience both happiness and hardship in this relationship
I do believe that's what love is all about
I believe love encompasses both joy and pain and is still worthwhile
We live and we learn that's the way life treat us
Through life experiences, we gain knowledge and wisdom
Sometimes you'll see things that make you doubt your mind
There may be times when you question your thoughts and emotions
I'm gonna be right there I'm gonna be right there to love you
I will always be there to support and love you
Cause I do believe that love will stand the test of time
I have faith that our love will endure the trials of time
Just us we're gonna make it you and I
We will overcome any challenge as long as it's just us
Just us just us just us just us
Our love is strong enough to withstand anything, as long as it's just us
Contributed by Gianna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CJ Jeanie
It's gonna be tough if we are to be together
But if that's what we want everything will be ok
I love will survive if we really need each other
No matter how hard we can surely find a way
The closer we get the more we're gonna find the reasons
Soon we will have a love that cannot be denied
I'm gonna be right there to help you
You can depend that I will be right by your side
Just us we're gonna make it we're gonna make it if we try
Just us we're gonna make it we're gonna make it you and I
There's gonna be times we'll have to show some understanding
Whatever it is I know that we can work it out
The joys and the pains is something we'll go through
I do believe that's what love is all about
We live and we learn that's the way life treat us sometimes
Sometimes you'll see things that make you doubt your mind
I'm gonna be right there I'm gonna be right there to love you Sweet Baby
Cause I do believe that love will stand the test of time
Just us we're gonna make it we're gonna make it if we try
Just us we're gonna make it we're gonna make it you and I
Just us we're gonna make it
Just us just us just us just usThis is when you know it's GOOD!!!
mson3478
One of the most powerful songs EVER made..Only Frankie Beverly and Maze could deliver such a beautiful ballad..Maze fan forever
Deekay Musiclover
My FAVORITE band all time. Their concerts are GREAT.
Brill Mcwilliams
❤yes they are
Birdw
i agree along with EWF .
JDSoul69
1 of the deepest cuts ever, pure soul.
dreambigger
💯💪
Lamont Leverette
@dreambigger 😊😊a😊
Rob Brown
Love this katt... Frankie Beverly is a true musical genius.. He's been in the game nearly 5 decades.. May GOD continue to bless 🙏 this music 🎤🎼🎹🎶 GIANT.. .. ✌❤
Davita McWilliams
Amen
Jerry Thegreat
2019 and this is STILL on repeat.. music like this is for the soul, it NEVER dies #80'sBABY