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 It contained the minor hit, the Carole King-penned song "You've Got a Friend" that was originally made famous by James Taylor.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.
Ride In The Sky
The Brand New Heavies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I. Take a ride in the sky tonight.
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Make a ride in the sky tonight.
It′s like a story that I never ever told
My one desire is to have and to hold
So come on baby if you want to fly with me
Let′s take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Take a ride in the sky tonight.
Let′s take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Make a ride in the sky tonight.
I began to wonder why my love feels so unreal
Without you it had lost the appeal
So take a chance if you want to fly with me
Let's stay together baby just you wait and see.
Let′s take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Take a ride in the sky tonight.
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Make a ride in the sky tonight.
Let′s take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Take a ride in the sky tonight.
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Make a ride in the sky tonight.
Yeah hea
I began to wonder why my love feels so unreal
Without you it had lost the appeal
So take a chance if you want to fly with me
Let′s stay together baby just you wait and see.
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Take a ride in the sky tonight.
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Make a ride in the sky tonight.
Let′s take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Take a ride in the sky tonight.
Let′s take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Make a ride in the sky tonight.
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Take a ride in the sky tonight.
The lyrics to The Brand New Heavies’ “Ride In the Sky” are an invitation to take a journey with someone special. The singer begins by proposing that they take a ride in the sky together, through the heavens above. The idea of flying through the sky with someone is presented as a romantic, exciting idea that both parties can enjoy. The singer then reveals that this is a story he has never told before, indicating that the message of the song is deeply personal.
The lyrics go on to express the singer’s desire to be with the person he loves. He wants to hold them close and to take a chance on freedom and adventure with that special someone. He admits that without that person, love seems unreal and without appeal, so he invites them to take a chance and fly with him. The chorus repeats the invitation to “take a ride in the sky” with the person he loves, emphasizing the longing for adventure and togetherness. The lyrics of “Ride In the Sky” ultimately express a desire for connection, love and adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Take a ride in the sky tonight.
The singer is inviting the listener to join them on an adventure in the sky, emphasizing the connection between them as they embark on this journey together.
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Make a ride in the sky tonight.
The singer is urging the listener to join them in creating an unforgettable experience, suggesting that they have the power to shape this adventure however they want.
It's like a story that I never ever told
My one desire is to have and to hold
So come on baby if you want to fly with me
Let's take a chance cause we've got to be free.
The singer is comparing their shared experience to a story yet to be written, expressing their desire to experience it with the listener at their side. They urge the listener to take a leap of faith with them, embracing the unknown in order to find freedom.
I began to wonder why my love feels so unreal
Without you it had lost the appeal
So take a chance if you want to fly with me
Let's stay together baby just you wait and see.
The artist is reflecting on how their love felt incomplete without the listener, and is encouraging the listener to take a chance on them in order to build a stronger connection. They express their commitment to the future, assuring the listener that the journey they're embarking on will be worthwhile.
Yeah hea
This line is simply a musical interlude and doesn't convey any particular meaning.
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Take a ride in the sky tonight.
The repetition of this line serves to reinforce the invitation to join the singer on this adventure in the sky, highlighting the singer's enthusiasm and sense of anticipation.
Let's take a ride in the sky baby you
And I. Make a ride in the sky tonight.
This line repeats the invitation to take control of their shared experience and make it their own, emphasizing the importance of the listener's involvement in shaping this journey.
Writer(s): Andrew Levy
Contributed by Max C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.