The group came up with the Heavies name after signing their first record contract, borrowing from a liner note on a James Brown single declaring the artist "Minister of New Super Heavy Funk". As The Brand New Heavies they gained a cult following in the London club scene and soon signed to Cooltempo as acid jazz replaced rare groove in clubs. The band issued a debut recording for Eddie Piller's Acid Jazz label in 1990 with Jay Ella Ruth as lead singer.
A single, "Got to Give", came out on Cooltempo before the Brand New Heavies signed to Acid Jazz Records and released Brand New Heavies to critical acclaim. The band signed to a division of Chrysalis Records in the UK, and American distribution was picked up by influential label Delicious Vinyl, and N'Dea Davenport (who had signed an artist development deal with Delicious Vinyl) joined the group. A revamped version of the first album with vocals by N'Dea Davenport was then released, and the singles "Dream Come True", "Never Stop" and "Stay This Way", all with Davenport on lead vocals, became hits on both sides of the Atlantic, with the latter becoming a music video directed by Douglas Gayeton that saw heavy rotation on MTV.
The group's appearance with MC Serch (formerly of 3rd Bass) and Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest) at a performance in New York City, inspired the group to incorporate elements of hip hop music. Their next album was the critically acclaimed Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1, which included collaborations with Guru of Gang Starr and The Pharcyde, among others, but lacked any female vocals.
While under management by Colin Lester's and Ian McAndrew's Wildlife Entertainment, The Brand New Heavies released Brother Sister (1994) which was the last album for a while with N'Dea Davenport, who had left to complete her solo album (which she had put on hold to join the Heavies). The album spawned more singles, though one of them, a cover of Maria Muldaur's "Midnight at the Oasis", was popular only in the UK because it was not included in the US version of the album.
Siedah Garrett joined the group for their next album, Shelter (1997). It contained the minor hit, the Carole King-penned song "You've Got a Friend" that was originally made famous by James Taylor. Again, though, this song did not appear on the US version of the album. The album also contained the hit "Sometimes". The remix of "Sometimes" included the rap vocals of Q-Tip from Tribe.
The Brand New Heavies then released their greatest hits album, Trunk Funk - The Best of The Brand New Heavies (2000) with Carleen Anderson on vocals for some newly recorded songs, followed by the Japan only album We Won't Stop (2003) featuring a variety of vocalists and Allaboutthefunk (2004) featuring British singer Nicole Russo on vocals.
In April 2006, the Brand New Heavies reunited with N'Dea Davenport and former label Delicious Vinyl. A new album, Get Used to It was released on June 27 2006 via Starbucks and more traditional music retail outlets. The album was recorded in New York and London; and the lead single "I Don't Know Why (I Love You)" was issued in early May. The single was notable for being one of very few late releases to feature the trademarked "A Tom Moulton Mix", as the legendary disco pioneer had been asked to contribute mixes. Later that year, their song "Jump 'N' Move" was featured on the soundtrack for the 2006 computer animated feature film, Happy Feet, and the in-game soundtrack for 2004's NBA Live 2005. The band toured at the end of 2006.
After the release of a live CD Live at the Indigo2 in late 2008, the Brand New Heavies announced they would be releasing a new album in 2009 with N'Dea Davenport on vocals.
Back To Love
The Brand New Heavies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If we are trying now don't seem to try too long
Watching your neighbour seems to fill you with alarm
Just ‘coz he's different now
Don't mean he means you harm
City living has got us all pent up inside
When we have problems it seems we all just run and hide
Time to discover why we are feeling this way
Chorus:
I know you need it, brother said he needs it, sister said she needs it,
we're all gonna need it someday
We seem to loose our way, somehow got led astray
That's why I'm here to say, gotta get back get back to love
I know you need it, brother said he needs it, sister said she needs it,
we're all gonna need it someday
We seem to loose our way, somehow got led astray
That's why I'm here to say, gotta get back get back to it now
Trouble started when we don't communicate
We'll build our future now or we can seal our fate
Wasted energy on promises we break
We've wasted chance now, but still it ain't too late
There is a common goal we must all realize
It's time to make a change, in how we live our lives
Time to discover why, we are feeling this way
Let's let love save the day
The lyrics to The Brand New Heavies' "Back To Love" address the need for connection and unity in our society. The song highlights the fact that we don't always get along with each other and that city living has caused us to become pent up inside. The lyrics encourage us to let love have its say and to get back to love because we all need it someday.
The first verse speaks to the fear that people have of those who are different from them. The lyrics suggest that this fear is unfounded and that just because someone is different, it doesn't mean they mean harm. The second verse suggests that our problems are the result of a lack of communication and a failure to work together towards a common goal. The lyrics encourage us to build our future now or else we can seal our fate.
The chorus repeats the message that we all need love and that we have all lost our way somehow. The lyrics suggest that we need to make a change in our lives and get back to love to save the day. Overall, the lyrics to "Back To Love" are a call to action for people to come together and work towards a better, more loving society.
Line by Line Meaning
It seem to me that we don't always get along
The singer observes that people don't always agree/understand each other.
If we are trying now don't seem to try too long
If a change is being attempted, it shouldn't take too long for it to work.
Watching your neighbour seems to fill you with alarm
People tend to be wary of those different from them.
Just ‘coz he's different now Don't mean he means you harm
Being different doesn't necessarily mean one poses a threat to another.
City living has got us all pent up inside
Urbanization has driven people to live in constant tension/stress.
When we have problems it seems we all just run and hide
People tend to evade issues they face.
Time to discover why we are feeling this way
It's time to introspect the reasons behind our negative emotions.
Let's let love have its say
The power of love should be recognized and utilized.
Chorus: I know you need it, brother said he needs it, sister said she needs it, we're all gonna need it someday We seem to loose our way, somehow got led astray That's why I'm here to say, gotta get back get back to love I know you need it, brother said he needs it, sister said she needs it, we're all gonna need it someday We seem to loose our way, somehow got led astray That's why I'm here to say, gotta get back get back to it now
The chorus emphasizes the universal need for love and the necessity of returning to it despite losing our way.
Trouble started when we don't communicate
Lack of communication usually leads to complications.
We'll build our future now, or we can seal our fate
Actions taken today will mold the future, and bad decisions will seal one's fate.
Wasted energy on promises we break
We expend energy making promises that we don't fulfill.
We've wasted chance now, but still it ain't too late
We may have failed to capitalize in the past, but we still have time to make amends.
There is a common goal we must all realize
All humans must recognize that they share common aspirations.
It's time to make a change, in how we live our lives
We must alter our way of life to make it better.
Time to discover why, we are feeling this way
It's time for introspection to identify the reasons why we feel a certain way.
Let's let love save the day
Love should be utilized to bring about positive change.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jivon Lee Jackson
N’dea. Is gorgeous & Jan is a phenomenal vocalist. Haven’t heard this song in 26 years, but brings back great memories. Fun song too!!
David Taylor
Love this duet!!! Wish they would've done this more often!!! Love the message, too! Sweet song....
cHAWELO3
Love this song, moves me in a way I can't explain. Message is so relevant. Love from South Africa
Michael Moraga
Right on.
THE🍞BOX pt2
Brand New Heavies will never go out of style!
Dmco
It is the style. London.
HispanicImpression
N'dea is just SO beautiful... and I just LOVE the music of the Brand New Heavies ! This is music with substance.
Michelle Ford
Absolutely love this band! They have influenced my music tremendously. Jan Kincaid-you have my heart :-)
thesun collective147
me too
Michael Moraga
Ditto... soundtrack to the positivity of life... and The Boogie!