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 It contained the minor hit, the Carole King-penned song "You've Got a Friend" that was originally made famous by James Taylor.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.
You've Got a Friend
The Brand New Heavies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and you need some loving care
and nothing, no whoa is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
Whoa and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest night, yeah
you just call out my name
I'll come running, yeah
to see you again. Yeah.
Don't you know that
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
all you gotta to do is call
and I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.
Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you
take your very soul if you let them.
So don't let them No
you just call out my name
and you know where ever I am
I'll come run run run run running yeah
to see you again yeah
don't you know that,
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
all you've got to do is call
and I'll be there, yes I will
You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.
You've got a friend in me
You've got a Friend that's what you got,
You've got a friend in me
Call out my name why don't you
I'm gunna brighten up EVEN your darkest night
Whenever you call
I'll be there
Whenever you need me, I'll be right there
Just call
Call out my name why don't you
I'm gunna brighten up EVEN your darkest night
The Brand New Heaviesβ song Youβve Got a Friend is a reminder of the importance of friendship and the comfort it brings in difficult times. The lyrics describe a friend who is always there for you, no matter what season it is or what kind of trouble you may be facing. The song encourages the listener to call out the friendβs name and they will come running to brighten even the darkest night. The song suggests that even in a world where people can be cold and hurtful, a true friend will always be loyal and supportive.
The lyrics can be interpreted in different ways, but the overall message is clear: friends are there to provide comfort and support when we need it the most. The songβs upbeat tempo and catchy melody give the impression that lifeβs challenges can be overcome with the help of a good friend. It is also interesting to note that the song acknowledges the negative aspects of human behavior, such as betrayal and coldness, which makes it all the more poignant when it emphasizes the importance of having a friend.
In conclusion, The Brand New Heaviesβ song Youβve Got a Friend is a celebration of the positive influence of friends in our lives, providing comfort and support in times of trouble. The song reminds us to treasure our friendships, even in a world where people can be cold and hurtful, because a true friend will always be there to brighten up our darkest nights.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're down and troubled and you need some loving care and nothing, no whoa is going right.
When you are feeling sad and overwhelmed, and everything seems to be going wrong.
Close your eyes and think of me Whoa and soon I will be there to brighten up even your darkest night, yeah
Imagine me in your mind, and I will come to comfort you and bring light to your darkest moments.
you just call out my name and you know where ever I am I'll come running, yeah to see you again. Yeah.
If you call my name, I will come running to be by your side once more.
Don't you know that Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you gotta to do is call and I'll be there, yes I will. You've got a friend.
No matter the season, if you call me, I will always be there for you. You have a true friend in me.
Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold. They'll hurt you and desert you take your very soul if you let them. So don't let them No
Having a friend you can rely on is a great comfort, as people can often hurt and abandon you. But don't let them, because you have a true friend in me.
You've got a Friend that's what you got, You've got a friend in me
You have a friend, a real friend, in me.
Call out my name why don't you I'm gunna brighten up EVEN your darkest night
If you call my name, I will come and brighten up even your darkest moments.
Whenever you call I'll be there Whenever you need me, I'll be right there Just call
You can always count on me to be there for you, whenever you need me. All you have to do is call.
You've got a friend in me
You have a true friend in me
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lise2378
Still a top tune in 2023 as it was the day it was released
@babinimaneli8306
I've loved Siedah Garrett ever since I first saw/heard her on Don't Look Any Further with Dennis Edwards in the '80s.
@tonyde52
Love SIEDAH !
@roberthall7117
nothing wrong with this version. i love this version β€οΈ
@albinocardoso234
Musica letra melodia lindo de mais
@kellywilliams548
Beautiful x
@maschicool54
Wow top song π
@gianalessandro5824
Greatings from Brasil!!! π§π· fabulous version!
@albinocardoso234
O que tem do brasil estΓ‘ mΓΊsica ?
@gylmarsantos8161
ClΓ‘ssico β€β€β€