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.
Let Yourself Go
The Friends of Distinction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say you got a problem
If you don't mind
I'd like to help you solve 'em
Why don't you just let yourself go?
Take off your shoes
Go walkin' down the beach
Now let yourself go
That'll make you feel good
Now let yourself go
It's not unusual
Everyone is down some of the time
Not knowin' what to do at times
You got to break away repeat
Oh, you got to break away
Let yourself go
Stop what you're doin'
Go out and catch a movie
Let yourself go
Doin' some of the things
That'll make you feel groovy
Let yourself go
Not knowin' what to do at...
The Friends of Distinction's "Let Yourself Go" is a soulful and uplifting song that encourages listeners to let go of their worries and enjoy life by doing things that make them happy. The song opens with the singer offering to help someone who is struggling with a problem, inviting them to let go and enjoy life. The lyrics suggest taking off shoes and walking down the beach, doing little things that make one feel good. The repetition of "let yourself go" throughout the song emphasizes that the key to overcoming stress and anxiety is to release control and live in the moment.
The song's message of letting go resonated with audiences when it was released in 1970. At that time, many people were feeling disillusioned and indifferent to the world around them, with the Vietnam War and civil rights struggles causing widespread unrest. "Let Yourself Go" serves as a reminder to find joy in life despite the struggles and challenges that one may face.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey you
The singer is addressing the listener
You say you got a problem
The listener has expressed that they are facing difficulties
If you don't mind
The singer is asking for permission to offer help
I'd like to help you solve 'em
The singer wants to assist the listener in resolving their problems
Why don't you just let yourself go?
The singer suggests that the listener should let go of their worries and enjoy the moment
Take off your shoes
The singer advises the listener to relax and be comfortable
Go walkin' down the beach
The singer suggests an outdoor activity that could be refreshing and calming
Now let yourself go
The singer repeats the suggestion to let go of worries and enjoy the moment
Doin' little things
The singer advises the listener to engage in small activities that could improve their mood
That'll make you feel good
The singer suggests that these activities could have a positive impact on the listener
It's not unusual
The singer reassures the listener that it's normal to feel down sometimes
Everyone is down some of the time
The singer further emphasizes that it's a common experience to face difficulties
You got to break away repeat
The singer encourages the listener to break away from their routine and do something different
Oh, you got to break away
The singer repeats the encouragement to try something new
Stop what you're doin'
The singer advises the listener to take a break from their current activities
Go out and catch a movie
The singer suggests that watching a movie could be a good way to relax and be entertained
Doin' some of the things
The singer advises the listener to engage in activities that they enjoy
That'll make you feel groovy
The singer suggests that these activities could improve the listener's mood and make them feel good
Let yourself go
The singer repeats the advice to let go of worries and enjoy the moment
Writer(s): Willie Hutchison
Contributed by Lauren H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kelvin Jones
Man, their sense of harmony, beautiful,I grew up in this error
Maurice Belk
1st track off the Friends’ 2nd album,but apparently didn’t catch on til some soul DJ’s started playing the B-side called “Going in Circles”,which ultimately became the group’s 2nd gold record (after “Grazing in the Grass”)!!!!!!
david neate
Gorgeous production on this .Thanks for posting .
008BUCKINSSR
THIS! IS A SUPER! TUNE!
Expat Marc
Production quality, spectacular!
Louie Colon
I grew up to their music during high school in L.A.
Capcoor
First.