Phats & Small appeared on the scene in 1998 with "Turn Around", a track that featured sampled Toney Lee's "Reach Up" and Change's "The Glow of Love". The song debuted at number three in the UK Singles Chart, before climbing to number two, with career sales of this hit amassing them £5,000 in total due to their recording contract. Singer Ben Ofoedu appears in the video for the track miming to the vocals. Future releases featured his voice but "Turn Around" featured Lee's voice. However, Ofoedu has been known to perform the track live. In 1999, they also released their first album, Now Phats What I Small Music, a play on their name and the compilation series Now That's What I Call Music!. Ofoedu sang on two tracks, "Feel Good" and "Tonite", which were also released as singles. In 1999, Phats & Small also achieved notoriety for remixing the Earth, Wind & Fire track, "September" and Simply Red's "Ain't That a Lot of Love". Other remixes around the same time included PJ "Happy Days", Space Raiders "I Need The Disko Doktor", High Steppers "I Will Follow" and pop group A1's single "Be the First to Believe".
Ofoedu left the group to pursue a solo career as singer, songwriter and producer, and his backing vocalist Tony Thompson, was promoted to main vocalist. He sang on most tracks in Phats & Small's second album, This Time Around, released in 2001, which featured an eponymous single, as well as "Change" and "Respect The Cock" (which was supposed to feature the phrase uttered by Tom Cruise in the film Magnolia).[citation needed] The second album was co-produced by Jimmy Gomez.
After a few years away from the recording studio, Phats & Small returned in 2005 with a new vocalist, Ryan Molloy, and a new album, Soundtrack to Our Lives, featuring the single "Sun Comes Out", this track sung by a returning Ofoedu and a new female vocalist, Carrie Luer.
In 2016, a new version of "Turn Around" was made featuring new vocals from Ofoedu.
Small is also one half of the production team The Freemasons, along with James Wiltshire (Jimmy Gómez) who was a co-producer for Phats & Small.
Small is a Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. fan after being taken to games as a youngster by his uncle.
Their song "Turn Around" was on the CD of the computer game K.S.-n-Kickin.
Turn Around
Phats & Small Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're lookin' kind of down to me
'Cause things ain't gettin' over
Listen to what I say
Got to turn around
Got to turn around
You're lookin' kind of down to me
'Cause things ain't gettin' over
Listen to what I say
Got to turn around
Got to turn around
Hey, what's wrong with you?
You're lookin' kind of down to me
'Cause things ain't gettin' over
Listen to what I say
Got to turn around
Got to turn around
Hey, what's wrong with you?
You're lookin' kind of down to me
'Cause things ain't gettin' over
Listen to what I say
Got to turn around
Got to turn around
Hey, what's wrong with you?
You're lookin' kind of down to me
'Cause things ain't gettin' over
Listen to what I say
Got to turn around
Got to turn around
Got to turn around
Listen to what I say
Got to turn around
Got to turn around
Got to turn around
The song "Turn Around" by Phats & Small is a motivational track encouraging listeners to keep moving forward despite obstacles or setbacks. The opening lyrics "Hey, what's wrong with you? You're lookin' kind of down to me 'Cause things ain't gettin' over" convey the concern for someone who seems unhappy or stuck in a certain state. The repetition of the phrase "Listen to what I say" suggests that the singer is trying to offer advice or guidance to help the listener get out of their rut.
The chorus "Got to turn around" emphasizes the need for action and change. It may refer to the need to change one's perspective or attitude towards a situation, or even physically turning around to face a new direction. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song serves as a reminder to stay motivated and to not give up.
Overall, "Turn Around" is a catchy dance track with a message of resilience and positivity. It encourages listeners to take action towards their goals and not let setbacks hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, what's wrong with you?
The singer is concerned about the listener's wellbeing.
You're lookin' kind of down to me
The singer perceives the listener as sad.
'Cause things ain't gettin' over
The listener is likely experiencing some sort of difficulty that is not resolving.
Listen to what I say
The artist wants the listener to pay attention and take their advice.
Got to turn around
The artist believes that the listener needs to make a change.
Got to turn around
The singer repeats their suggestion.
Hey, what's wrong with you?
The singer reiterates their concern.
You're lookin' kind of down to me
The artist continues to perceive the listener as sad.
'Cause things ain't gettin' over
The artist restates their belief that the listener is experiencing an ongoing problem.
Listen to what I say
The artist emphasizes that their advice is important.
Got to turn around
The singer repeats their suggested course of action.
Got to turn around
The artist again emphasizes the need for the listener to make a positive change.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Toney Lee, Eric Matthew, Mauro Malavasi, Davide Romani, Wayne K. Garfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ManchesterCowboy0161
This song saved a life, Mine!! I was at lowest point in My life, thought about ending it, this came on the radio and well, 24 years later, I am still here, the words hit Me BIG TIME,
@marcelnevesvieiradesousa7726
God bless you !!!
@paweakomski7136
Have a good day❤
@Aaron-Heart
💚💚💚
@Xardueth
It is incredible the impact that music can make, this song was fated to play for you that day.
@zinozee8929
Love reading comments like this. Read a comment like this on David guetta’s song from football factory. The lyrics inspire people to change ❤️ hope you’re good matey and KNOW YOUR WORTH!!!! 100%
@sarahsaritta3330
What a voice what a beat. Of course it's 1999. Someone takes me back to that time again please 🙏
@jamesedwards4590
Take me with you too, please!!!
@sratus
The voice is a sample...just in case you didn't know
@PROBLEMASAQUI
sure. back in 1999 when you had to wait for the song to come on on the MTV or VH1, couldn't replay it over and over like you can now on YouTube, when you couldn't download the mp3 to your phone and carry it around in your pocket and listen anytime you want
1999, an inconvience has now become romanticism.