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 It contained the minor hit, the Carole King-penned song "You've Got a Friend" that was originally made famous by James Taylor.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.
Last to Know
The Brand New Heavies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna make it clear now, let me lay it on the line
You're giving me the runaround dishonestly and lies,
The time has come to hear me out & recognise the fact
BRIDGE:
You should know by now
My Mama didn't raise no fools
You're breaking all the rules
Tell me, tell me is it really so
I don't wanna be the last to know
Talk me don't waste my time
Tell me if you're really mine
Broken dreams and promises
Think of all the love you'll miss
Just the other night I overheard you on the phone
Whispering sweet nothings
Guess you thought you were alone
Well, you might think that I am blind
But hear me when I say
I can see right through you and your double crossin' ways
Bridge
Talk me don't waste my time
Tell me if you're really mine
Broken dreams and promises
Think of all the love you'll miss
Lonely days and lonely nights
Is it truth or is it lies
Listen to these words I say
Love's a heavy price to pay
After all that we've been through
I can't believe you'd be untrue
Still you're telling me our love can grow
So you better let it show
Bridge
Talk to me don't waste my time
Tell me if you're really mine
Broken dreams and promises
Think of all the love you'll miss
Lonely days and lonely nights
Is it truth or is it lies
Listen to these words I say
Love's a heavy price to pay
Talk to me don't waste my time
Tell me if you're really mine
Broken dreams and promises
Think of all the love you'll miss
The Brand New Heavies' song "Last to Know" is a reflection of a relationship experiencing tension and stress because of dishonesty and lack of transparency. The song's message urges the partner to open up and to reveal the truth instead of evading and hiding uncomfortable topics. The singer recognizes the signs of a deteriorating bond and is aware of the implications of how everything fits into place.
The song describes the different aspects of a relationship that are at risk of disintegration because of dishonesty. The bridge asserts a point that the singer's mother raised him well, thereby making him aware of the underhanded tactics that someone might attempt in a relationship. Thus, he is not going to be a fool and hopes his partner realizes that too. The desire to know the truth as soon as possible is illustrated in the last two-halves of the song. The lyrics talk about the implications of one's actions and how they affect the other person. The overall message in the song is that communication, honesty, and transparency are essential in any relationship, and lack of it can severe real and genuine bonds.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you have a minute, I've got something on my mind
I need to talk to you about something important
I'm gonna make it clear now, let me lay it on the line
I need to be honest with you and tell you how I feel
You're giving me the runaround dishonestly and lies,
You're being deceitful and not truthful with me
The time has come to hear me out & recognise the fact
It's time for you to listen to me and acknowledge the truth
You should know by now
You should be aware after all this time
My Mama didn't raise no fools
I was raised to be smart and not naive
If half of what I'm hearing's true
If any of the rumors I'm hearing are true
You're breaking all the rules
You're going against what is right and proper
Tell me, tell me is it really so
I need you to confirm if it's true or not
I don't wanna be the last to know
I don't want to be the last one to find out the truth
Talk me don't waste my time
Talk to me honestly and don't waste my time
Tell me if you're really mine
Let me know if our relationship is genuine
Broken dreams and promises
Promises that have been broken and dreams that have been shattered
Think of all the love you'll miss
Consider all the love and happiness you could lose
Just the other night I overheard you on the phone
I heard you talking to someone else recently
Whispering sweet nothings
Speaking in a sweet and romantic manner
Guess you thought you were alone
You assumed no one was listening to you
Well, you might think that I am blind
You assume I am naive and unintelligent
But hear me when I say
But let me make myself clear
I can see right through you and your double crossin' ways
I am aware of your deceitful behavior
Talk to me don't waste my time
Communicate with me honestly and don't waste my time
Lonely days and lonely nights
Times of sadness and isolation
Is it truth or is it lies
Is what you're telling me the truth or a lie?
Listen to these words I say
Pay attention to what I'm telling you
Love's a heavy price to pay
Love can be a burden and sacrifice
After all that we've been through
Considering all that has happened between us
I can't believe you'd be untrue
I find it hard to believe you could be deceitful
Still you're telling me our love can grow
You still claim our relationship can improve
So you better let it show
You need to prove it to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charles Cowan
This really does something to the soul 💯
Stephen Forster
Played this album to death in the truck on night shift....absolute masterpiece and Siedah Garret is fantastic on vocals!!!🌛🚚💨🎼
Charles Cowan
🔥🔥does something to the soul .
James White
This song is tight. I always liked this group.
relish5667
GOD YES! Heard this on the Home Depot store playlist.
Charles Cowan
💯💯