Elston had been singing with the Hi-Fi's in the mid-60s, warming up for Ray Charles in tours across the country. When that group split in 1966, members Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore went on to co-found the enormously successful Fifth Dimension and Elston started the Friends, whose sound was similar to, and often confused with, the Fifth Dimension -- both included tightly harmonizing men and women dressed in late 60s "hip" clothing -- though the Friends' music was generally more soulful.
The newly formed Friends of Distinction was managed by football great Jim Brown and signed with RCA Records. Hitting the popular music scene when Motown and Stax were dominating, the Friends arrived with a breezy California pop/soul sound. Great harmonies and crossover arrangements backed the individually strong lead vocals of the group members. Combined with top notch material (both originals and covers), the group, like the Fifth Dimension, sounded like a breath of fresh air on Pop radio in 1969.
Their first single, "Grazin' In the Grass," was a Elston-sung vocal remake of a Hugh Masekela instrumental cut, and hit the top 5 on both Pop and Soul charts in 1969. The group's follow-up, "Going In Circles," was a brilliant ballad that also charted high. Love took some time off to have a baby, and Charlene Gibson stepped in and sang lead on the group's third big hit, "Love or Let Me Be Lonely." She also sang on the wonderful album cut, "Crazy Mary."
The Friends were quite prolific from 1969-71, releasing 5 albums (a sixth appeared in 1973). They also released a number of great singles, including "Check It Out" (later remade by Tavares) and a terrific cover of Neil Sedaka's "Time Waits for No One." Their best cuts are excellently compiled in The Best of the Friends of Distinction, which was released in 1996.
As popular music changed in the mid-70s, the Friends' fortunes declined. Jessica Cleaves was featured with Earth Wind and Fire,first appearance on the"Last Days and Time" release. A grueling touring schedule and the lack of a hit for several years led the group to call it quits in 1975. Elston and Butler continued to write and perform for a few years, then ultimately went their separate ways, taking jobs outside of music.
Over the next two decades, there was a rediscovery of the great music that the Friends had made together, and their biggest hits were remade by several artists, with "Going In Circles" charting for the Gap Band and Luther Vandross and "Love or Let Me Be Lonely" for pop artist Paul Davis. Most recently, "Grazin In the Grass" was released by Disney star Raven.
In 1990, Elston and Butler decided to bring the Friends back together. Tragically, Butler died (at Elston's side) before the group reunion could be realized. After Butler's death, Elston spent several years forming a new Friends group, ultimately bringing together Geno Henderson, Wendy Bruné and Berlando Drake to sing with Elston. That lineup currently tours and continues to entertain audiences nearly 40 years after the world first heard the Friends of Distinction.
Eli's Comin'
The Friends of Distinction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eli's comin'
Whoa you better hide your heart
Your lovin heart
Eli's a comin and the cards say
Broken heart
Oh broken heart
Eli's comin'
Eli's comin'
Hide your heart girl
Eli's a comin'
Better hide girl
Eli's a comin'
Better hide your heart
Your heart
Eli's comin'
Hide your heart
You better better hide your heart
Eli's comin'
Better walk walk
But you'll never get away
From the burn and the heartache
I walked to apollo and the bay
And everywhere I go
Eli's a comin'
Eli's a comin'
Eli's a comin'
And he's comin' to get me mama
I'm down on my knees
Eli's comin'
Hide it girl
Eli's a comin'
Better hide girl
Eli's a comin'
Better hide your heart
Your heart
Eli's comin'
Hide your heart
You better better hide your heart
Eli's comin'
Better walk
Cry but he's never gonna follow
I cried at the corners of the square
And everywhere I go
Eli's a comin'
Eli's a comin'
Eli's a comin'
And he comin' to get me mama
I'm down on my knees
I'm down on my knees
Oh no no no
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Hide it
Eli's comin'
Better hide your heart girl
The Friends of Distinction's song Eli's Comin' is a warning to all those who have a heart to hide it because Eli is coming and he might break it. Eli is a symbolic character in the song, who represents heartbreak and pain. The lyrics suggest that he is a force to be reckoned with, and one should hide their heart to avoid getting hurt. The repetition of "hide your heart" and "better hide your heart" emphasizes the urgency of the warning.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a cautionary tale to those who are about to fall in love or begin a new relationship. The "cards say broken heart" suggests that Eli's arrival is inevitable, and heartbreak is an inherent risk in any relationship. The lines "You better walk, but you'll never get away from the burn and the heartache" suggest that even if one tries to escape the pain of love, it will always follow them.
The Friends of Distinction's song has a groovy, upbeat, and jazzy sound that contrasts with its somber lyrics. The use of horns, percussion, and harmonized vocals gives the song a unique sound. The song was originally written by Laura Nyro and covered by The Friends of Distinction in 1969, where it reached #18 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Eli's Comin' is one of their most well-known songs and still resonates with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Whoa you better hide your heart
You should hide your loving heart to protect it
Your lovin heart
Your caring and affectionate heart
Eli's a comin and the cards say
Fortune tellers predict that Eli's arrival will bring heartbreak
Broken heart
Heartbreak and emotional pain
Hide your heart girl
Girls should hide their hearts to avoid being hurt by Eli
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Hide your heart girl
Girls should hide their hearts to avoid being hurt by Eli
Eli's a comin'
Eli is coming
Better hide girl
Girls should hide to avoid being hurt by Eli's arrival
Eli's a comin'
Eli is coming
Better hide your heart
You should hide your heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Your heart
Your emotional center
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Hide your heart
Hide your emotional center to avoid being hurt by Eli
You better better hide your heart
You should definitely hide your heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Better walk walk
You should keep walking to avoid Eli
But you'll never get away
You can't escape Eli's influence
From the burn and the heartache
From the emotional pain and suffering caused by Eli
I walked to apollo and the bay
The artist has traveled to different locations to escape Eli, but with no luck
And everywhere I go
No matter where the singer goes, Eli's arrival is imminent
Eli's a comin'
Eli is coming
Eli's a comin'
Eli is coming
Eli's a comin'
Eli is coming
And he's comin' to get me mama
The singer fears that Eli is coming to hurt them
I'm down on my knees
The artist is begging for protection from Eli
Hide it girl
Girls should hide their emotions to protect themselves from Eli's heartbreak
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Better hide girl
Girls should hide to protect themselves from Eli's arrival
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Better hide your heart
You should hide your heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Your heart
Your emotional center
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Hide your heart
Hide your emotional center to avoid being hurt by Eli
You better better hide your heart
You should definitely hide your heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Better walk
You should keep walking to avoid Eli
Cry but he's never gonna follow
Crying won't help, but it won't stop Eli either
I cried at the corners of the square
The artist has cried in many places, but it didn't stop Eli's arrival
And everywhere I go
No matter where the singer goes, Eli's arrival is imminent
Eli's a comin'
Eli is coming
Eli's a comin'
Eli is coming
Eli's a comin'
Eli is coming
And he comin' to get me mama
The artist fears that Eli is coming to hurt them
I'm down on my knees
The singer is begging for protection from Eli
Oh no no no
The situation is dire and the artist is in fear
Hide it
Hide your emotions and heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Hide it
Hide your emotions and heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Hide it
Hide your emotions and heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Hide it
Hide your emotions and heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Hide it
Hide your emotions and heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Hide it
Hide your emotions and heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Hide it
Hide your emotions and heart to avoid being hurt by Eli
Eli's comin'
Eli is coming
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAURA NYRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
btinsley1
THANK YOU Laura Nyro for writing this, thank you. RIP
THANK YOU Jessica Cleaves for your angelic vocal interpretation, thank you. RIP
Blanking Blanks
I love this version. ELIS COMING!!!
Slick Danger
They murdered this shyt at the end!
MargotAnn
Superb rendition! Beautiful vocals throughout especially as the music slows and Ms. Jessica sings her heart out……In my opinion the best version ever.
Robert Jones
The music and melody is fantastic Is anybody paying attention to the lyrics and facing reality? I’m a big fan of the “FoD”. I appreciate the lives of the band and members it takes to bring about melody for wise people to feel relatable to.
Bad Boswell l'st & 4_Most
This version beats Laura Nyro's & most DEFINITELY Three dog nights respectively!!!! JESSICA CLEAVES & FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION ARE THE BEST HANDS DOWN!!!! & JESSICA CLEAVES SIMPLY ("ROCKED IT TO SLEEP!!!!") 🎙🎻🎶🎺📯🎷🎸🎼🎵🎹🥁👄❤👍
Invisible Sun
Always loved this version of the song. I rate the original by Laura Nyro a bit higher but this one beats 3 dogs hands down.
Joe Postove
Three Dog Night only gets two dogs on their version.
The Friends
Of Distinction get an extra two friends PLUS a Nyro.
Robert Jones
2:30 and On On. That’s a bad song. The harmony, the waves, the angelic breeze! Can’t wait until this singing comes back.
Invisible Sun
Definitely superior to three doggies! (lean slightly more towards the original by Laura, but this version still kicks tail!)