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.
Great Day
The Friends of Distinction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's kind of a nice day isn't it?
I don't know
(speaking part in parenthesis)
Ain't it a great day?
(I don't know)
Could it be better?
(I don't know babe)
I got an idea!
Let's go to the park
and we'll ride on a merry-go-round
(Baby, it's kind of a nice day don't you think?)
(*sigh* I don't know)
(You reckon it could be a little better?)
(*chuckle* *sigh* I don't know)
(Come on)
Couldn't we just sit around the house here
and have us a little drink of tea?
Gotta get away
Gonna have a groovy day
Spend some time with you
doing just what comes naturally
(Dig baby, I know what we could do on this very day)
(*sigh* I don't know about all that)
(Then, what would be nice...)
Baby baby baby baby baby... I don't know
Whatever we do dear,
There's one thing that's for sure
That nothing could be better
Than just being together.
Gotta get away
Gonna have a groovy day
Spend some time with you
Doing just what comes naturally
(sing 3x's)
Gotta get away
Gonna have a groovy daaaaayyyy---oooohhhh...
The Friends of Distinction's song "Great Day" seems to be a conversation between two lovers who are trying to figure out how to spend the day together. They start by saying that it is a nice day but they are not completely sure. The man suggests going to the park and riding on a merry-go-round, while the woman seems hesitant and simply wants to stay at home and have tea. Although they are unsure about how to spend their day, they both agree that they want to be with each other and spend time together doing what comes naturally. The song emphasizes the joy and happiness that comes from spending time with loved ones and enjoying the simple things in life.
Overall, the song is a celebration of life's little pleasures and the importance of relationships. It emphasizes the idea that sometimes we don't need to have big plans or complicated activities to have a good time. Instead, just being together with those we love can create the greatest memories and bring the most happiness. The song's upbeat and groovy rhythm adds to the overall positivity and joy that it conveys.
Line by Line Meaning
It's kind of a nice day isn't it?
Commenting on the weather, wondering if it's a good day
Ain't it a great day?
Asking if the day is exceptional
Could it be better?
Wondering if there is any way to improve the day
Let's go to the park
Suggesting a change of location
And we'll ride on a merry-go-round
Proposing a specific activity to do at the park
Couldn't we just sit around the house here
Suggesting staying at home instead of going out
and have us a little drink of tea?
Proposing a relaxing activity to do at home
Gotta get away
Feeling the need to escape from the routine
Gonna have a groovy day
Planning to have a fun, cool day
Spend some time with you
Expressing the desire to be with their loved one
doing just what comes naturally
Emphasizing the importance of doing things effortlessly and spontaneously
Baby baby baby baby baby... I don't know
Repeating 'I don't know' to suggest indecision or uncertainty
Whatever we do dear,
Acknowledging that the activity doesn't matter, as long as they are together
There's one thing that's for sure
Stating a definite truth
That nothing could be better
Nothing could improve the happiness they feel when together
Gotta get away
Re-emphasizing the need to escape from routine
Gonna have a groovy day
Reaffirming the plan to have a fun day
Spend some time with you
Stating the primary goal of the day
Doing just what comes naturally
Emphasizing that they will have a happy day by embracing spontaneity and naturalness
Contributed by Aaliyah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.