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 It contained the minor hit, the Carole King-penned song "You've Got a Friend" that was originally made famous by James Taylor.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 Can Do It
The Brand New Heavies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dance!
Let your body go
You know you can do it
Like thee
(ee-ne-me-ne-manny-mo)
There's really nothing to it
Repeat Intro
(1st Tag)
You can do it
And you know that you can
There's nothing to it
Just go ahead and do your dance
Repeat 1st Tag
(Chorus)
Get up and do your thing
(You know you can do it)
And don't you feel your shame
(There's really nothing to it)
(2nd Tag)
You know you can do it
So get up and move your body to it
Don't be 'fraid to do your thing
No such words as being shame
Everybody, boogy tonight
Chorus (x2)
(Bridge)
Repeat 2nd Tag
Intro - 2nd half - x2
Chorus - x2
Intro - x2
Chorus - x2
Intro - x2
The Brand New Heavies's song You Can Do It is an upbeat, fun and motivational song about letting go of any fear or shame and simply dancing. The lyrics of the song repeat the message that there is nothing to it and that everyone can get up and dance. The opening lyrics tell people to let their body go and that there is nothing to it, like a children's game of ee-ne-me-ne-manny-mo.
The first tag repeats the message that anyone can do it, and there is nothing to fear or be ashamed of. The chorus reiterates this message, encouraging listeners to get up and do their thing, and not to feel any shame. The second tag encourages listeners to move their bodies to the music and to not be afraid to dance. The lyrics say that there is no shame in doing your thing, and everybody should boogie tonight.
The song's message is simple and profound at the same time. It encourages people to let go of their inhibitions, to have fun and to be themselves. The upbeat and lively nature of the music adds to this message, making it almost impossible for people not to dance along to the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Dance!
Begin dancing.
Let your body go
Fully engage and enjoy your movement.
You know you can do it
You have the ability to dance and express yourself.
Like thee (ee-ne-me-ne-manny-mo)
This is like a children's counting game that means there is a simple decision to be made.
There's really nothing to it
It's easy and uncomplicated to dance.
You can do it
You have what it takes to dance and have fun doing so.
And you know that you can
You have faith in your abilities to dance.
Just go ahead and do your dance
Go ahead and express yourself through dancing.
Get up and do your thing
Stand up and express yourself through dancing.
(You know you can do it)
You have the talent and ability to dance.
And don't you feel your shame
Don't be embarrassed or feel guilty about expressing yourself through dancing.
You know you can do it
You have the ability to dance without fear of shame.
So get up and move your body to it
Start dancing and use your body to express yourself.
Don't be 'fraid to do your thing
Don't be afraid to express yourself through dancing.
No such words as being shame
There's no reason to feel ashamed when dancing.
Everybody, boogy tonight
Everyone should dance and have fun tonight.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALICIA MYERS, KEVIN DUANE MCCORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind