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.
We Are One
Maze feat. Frankie Beverly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mmh
Ohh, oh, ooh
Mmh, mmh, mmh
Ohh
Ooh, mh
Can't understand
Taking up time
With the silly, silly games we play
We've got our love
And no matter how it's said or done
Ohh
We are one
No matter what we do we are one
Our love will see us through we are one
And that's the way it is we are one
Ohh
Sometimes I feel
That we try and make each other sad, I don't know why
The things we do
How we make each other feel so bad
We've got so much
We could all be having so much fun
Ohh
We are one
Right from the very start we are one
Deep down in your heart we are one
And that's the way it is (we are one)
Ohh, whoa, ohh, yeah
Ooh, uh-huh
I can't understand
Why we treat each other in this way, uh-huh
Taking up time
With the silly, silly games we play, play
We've got our love, our love
And no matter how it's said or done
Ohh
We are one (ahh)
We are one
Our love will see us through we are one
And that's the way it is (we are one), yeah, ohh
We are one
Right from the very start we are one
Deep down in your heart we are one, ooh
And that's the way it is (we are one)
Yeah
We are one
We are one (I know)
(We) we are one
We are one
We are one (oh my)
We are one (you can't get away)
(We) we are one
We are one (that's the way, that's the way it is)
We are one
We are one
We are one
We (ohh) are one
(Ohh)
We are one (no)
(I know)
We are one (I know, I know, I know)
(I know, I know, I know, I know, I know)
We are one
In "We Are One" by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, the lyrics express confusion and frustration about the way people treat each other. The singer questions why there is so much negativity and why we choose to engage in "silly games" with each other. Despite all of this, the song emphasizes the power of love and unity. The chorus repeats the message that "we are one" no matter what we do or how we treat each other. Love is the unifying force that will see us through.
The verses suggest that our negative behavior comes from a place of insecurity and a need to make others feel bad. However, the singer points out that we have the potential to have fun and enjoy life together. The lyrics don't offer a solution to this problem, but they do encourage listeners to remember that we are linked by our love and that we should strive to treat each other with kindness and compassion.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't understand
The singer is puzzled by why people treat each other poorly.
Why we treat each other in this way
The singer questions why people engage in hurtful behavior towards one another.
Taking up time
The singer believes that people waste valuable time by playing games with one another.
With the silly, silly games we play
The artist thinks that people engage in petty and immature activities that have no real value.
We've got our love
The artist asserts that even though people act poorly towards one another, love exists between them.
And no matter how it's said or done
The singer believes that love endures despite people's negative actions and words.
We are one
The singer believes that despite people's differences and negative behavior, they are all united and connected on a deeper level.
No matter what we do we are one
Regardless of people's actions or choices, they are still connected and part of the same whole.
Our love will see us through we are one
The artist believes that love is a powerful force that can overcome any obstacle or challenge that comes between people.
That's the way it is we are one
The artist accepts that people may not always act in the best way towards one another, but ultimately they are still united and connected as one.
Sometimes I feel
The singer acknowledges that they sometimes experience confusing or conflicting emotions about people's behavior towards one another.
That we try and make each other sad, I don't know why
The artist questions why people sometimes act in hurtful ways towards one another, when it is not beneficial for anyone involved.
The things we do
The singer believes that people's actions and choices can have negative consequences on themselves and others.
How we make each other feel so bad
The singer recognizes that people's behavior towards one another can cause pain, hurt, and negative emotions.
We've got so much
The singer believes that people have a lot to offer one another, and that there is potential for positive interaction.
We could all be having so much fun
The artist thinks that people could be enjoying life and each other's company, but instead they engage in negative behavior.
Right from the very start we are one
The artist believes that people are interconnected and united from the very beginning, and that this connection transcends any differences or conflicts.
Deep down in your heart we are one
The singer believes that people are united and connected on a deeper, emotional level.
Ooh, uh-huh
This line is an expressive vocalization and does not offer a clear meaning.
We are one (ahh)
The artist repeats the refrain and asserts that people are connected and united as one.
We are one (yeah, ohh)
The artist repeats the refrain, emphasizing the idea that despite any negative behavior, people are still connected and united as one.
We are one (no)
The artist repeats the refrain, negating any idea that people are not connected or united as one.
(I know)
The singer asserts their confidence in the idea that people are united and connected as one.
(I know, I know, I know)
The artist repeats their conviction that people are united and connected as one multiple times.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frankie Beverly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@asafmalka4935
I'm a 46 year old guy, born and raised in Israel yet i've been drawn to this type of music my whole life to the point i feel my soul must have other origins .. yes it's 2020 and there's just no music like that being made nowadays. keep it coming please !!!!!!!
@godd-ess5289
It’s the Blackness in your Genes Baby Boy!!!😎
@christinewest6480
Welcome..you are so right. It's that soul in you! 😁
@ttopbugatti9430
Blessings to you 🙌🏾✊🏾
@DavidIrthum
Shalom, I can certainly understand where you are coming from. I love listening to R&B and Swamp Pop since I was very young.
@babesrus674
Black is the true Israel. You were lied too.
@user-ur2hx2ow4i
Still listening to this in 2024!!❤
@MrLoyalty3
❤️
@misty28882
It's a shame he never got awards.......he didn't sell his soul to the industry....good for you Frankie....he is the best!!!
@sarahsimpkins1311
They did get a B.E.T life time achievement award