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 It contained the minor hit, the Carole King-penned song "You've Got a Friend" that was originally made famous by James Taylor.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.
Don't Let It Go to Your Head
The Brand New Heavies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How I feel about you
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
Now that you know
I can't live with you, ooh-wee
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no)
Don't take advantage of my love
Treat me good, treat me fair
Treat me fine
Now that I've given you
Every part of me, ooh-wee
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
'Cause if you're playin' games
It would be a shame
Don't break my heart
Don't break my heart
Woo, woo
'Cause if you're playin' games
It would be a shame
Don't break my heart
Don't break my heart
Woo, oh, ho, ho
Now that you know
How I feel about you, ooh-wee
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no (no)
Now that you know
I can't live with you, ooh-wee
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no)
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Go to your head, no
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Go to your head, no
Oh, ho
Don't break my heart
Woo, woo, ho, ho, ho, ooh-wee, uh-huh
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Don't let it go to your head, no, no, no, mmm, hmm
Don't, don't ever never, never let it
Don't let it go to your head, your head (no, no, no, no, no, no)
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Don't let it go to your head, no (oh, no, no, no, no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no (ooh, hoo, mmm, hmm, mmm, hmm)
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Don't let it go to your head, no (no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no (ooh, hoo, ooh, hoo)
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Don't let it go to your head, no (ooh, no, no, no, no)
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't let it go to your head, no
The lyrics of The Brand New Heavies' song Don't Let It Go To Your Head speak to the danger of letting one's ego or sense of self-importance overshadow a relationship. The singer confesses strong feelings for the other person, but warns that they should not let that knowledge go to their head, or allow it to impact their treatment of the singer. There is a sense of vulnerability in the lyrics, as the singer expresses that they have given the other person "every part" of themselves, and pleads with them not to break their heart.
Additionally, there is a sense of frustration or concern that the other person may not take the relationship as seriously as the singer does, and that they may be playing games. The repetition of phrases such as "no, no, no" and "don't break my heart" add to the urgent tone of the lyrics. Ultimately, the song's message is to prioritize treating one's partner with love and respect, rather than letting one's own ego get in the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that you know
Since I have told you my true feelings
How I feel about you
The depth and nature of my emotions towards you
Don't let it go to your head, no
Don't get overly confident or arrogant because of my feelings
Don't take advantage of my love
Don't use my affection for you to exploit me or mistreat me
Treat me good, treat me fair
Behave towards me in a compassionate and equitable manner
Treat me fine
Take care of me and show me kindness
Now that I've given you
After I have bestowed upon you
Every part of me, ooh-wee
All of myself, including my emotions and physical presence
Don't break my heart
Don't hurt me emotionally
Woo, woo
An exclamation of pain or worry
'Cause if you're playin' games
Because if you're insincere or deceptive
It would be a shame
It would be regrettable or unfortunate
Now that you know
Since I have told you
I can't live with you, ooh-wee
I can't continue to exist without you in my life
Don't let it, don't let it, don't let it
Repeated emphasis to prevent over-inflating ego
Go to your head, no
Don't let it affect your behavior or attitude
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@philliprobinson-muhammad2034
N'Dea and rhe heavies are magical together. I wish that they could settle thier differences and get back to making beautiful music together.
@loveyu2778
1 of my favorite groups is
The Brand New Heavies...
❤❤❤❣️💕
@davidalexander7952
She a angel from heaven SOOO BEAUTIFUL!
@emceeultra2677
Beautiful woman, her voice reminds me of high school miss them days
@Carpy1964
Just a tune.... paying major respect to the original
@ajs41
Never paid much attention to the Brand New Heavies in the 1990s, but now I'm trying to catch up on their songs. Better late than never!
@josephkupper3173
Love the video. Thanks for posting
@dree2295
Love the shout out to Jean Carne @1:25!!!
@TheRetroWoman80
Major respect shown👍🏼👏
@rayraysmoove4823
Nice groove