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.
Lonesome Mood
The Friends of Distinction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is there for me to do?
Cry, no I'll just be sad and blue
But you taught me how to love, it's true
Why did you leave me here too blue?
You left me, left me in a lonesome mood
This heart aches, not an easy thing to lose
Now here alone I sing the blues
This feeling, oh what a lonesome mood
Now that you've gone
I feel so bad
I lost the only love that I ever had
You left me, left me in a lonesome mood
Do do do, do do do do do do do
Cry
Do do do do do do do
Do do, do do do do do do do
Why
Do do do do do do do
do do do
Now that you've gone
I feel so bad
Lost the only love that I ever had
You left me, left me in a lonesome mood
Bye now, oh what a lonesome mood
Bye now, oh what a lonesome mood
Bye now, oh what a lonesome mood
Bye bye, now now, oh
The Friends of Distinction's "Lonesome Mood" is a song about heartbreak and the pain of losing a lover. The lyrics express a deep sense of sadness and loneliness that the singer feels after being left by their partner. The song's opening lines "Oh yes you gone now, what is there for me to do?" immediately convey the sense of loss and helplessness that the singer is experiencing. They are left with nothing to do but to "cry" but instead choose to be "sad and blue" and sing the blues - indicating that the singer's emotions are overwhelming and powerful.
Despite the heartache, the singer acknowledges that their former partner taught them how to truly love. The line "But you taught me how to love, it's true" suggests that the relationship was a significant one, and that it had a lasting impact on the singer. However, the ultimate question asked in the song is: "Why did you leave me here too blue?" The lyrics do not provide an answer but the absence of one adds to the overall sadness and confusion of the song. The song closes with the singer saying goodbye, but they are still left in a "lonesome mood" - perhaps suggesting that closure is not the solution.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yes you gone now
You have left me alone now
What is there for me to do?
I have nothing left to do
Cry, no I'll just be sad and blue
I won't cry, but I'll remain sad and low
But you taught me how to love, it's true
Despite your absence, I acknowledge you taught me how to love
Why did you leave me here too blue?
Why did you abandon me and leave me feeling sad?
You left me, left me in a lonesome mood
Your departure left me feeling lonely
This heart aches, not an easy thing to lose
My heart is in pain; it isn't easy to lose someone
Now here alone I sing the blues
Now I am here singing the blues on my own
This feeling, oh what a lonesome mood
This feeling is indescribable and very lonely
Now that you've gone
Now that you're not here
I feel so bad
I feel extremely sad
I lost the only love that I ever had
I lost the only person I have ever loved
Do do do, do do do do do do do
Instrumental
Cry
Expressing sadness
Do do do do do do do
Instrumental
Do do, do do do do do do do
Instrumental
Why
Questioning why
Do do do do do do do
Instrumental
do do do
Instrumental
Now that you've gone
Now that you're not here
I feel so bad
I feel extremely sad
Lost the only love that I ever had
I lost the only person I have ever loved
You left me, left me in a lonesome mood
Your departure left me feeling lonely
Bye now, oh what a lonesome mood
Departing now, this lonely feeling prevails
Bye now, oh what a lonesome mood
Departing now, this lonely feeling prevails
Bye now, oh what a lonesome mood
Departing now, this lonely feeling prevails
Bye bye, now now, oh
Saying goodbye, this lonely feeling persists
Contributed by David D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tina Thomas
Favorite song from them. Those harmonies.. goodness gracious!
Michelle Mcdonald
amazing
Kwasi Kisiedu
The harmonies are just awesome
LaShane
Those instruments ❤️❤️
silverback1017
I dare...and I MEAN DARE...some to make music like this today...IMPOSSIBLE!!!
Curtis Whitehead Jr
I ain’t a Musician, but I am learning to play the Bass 🎸 I hope one day to answer your challenge with some Real Music. 💯
Curtis Whitehead Jr
@Paa Kaber Khamem Zazan you ain’t never lied. 💯 Pure garbage on the 🎤 these days.
Paa Kaber Khamem Zazan
Anything's possible, fam. It's that these industry fools and so-called rappers just don't want to do it
Antionette Blake
Wow...such a wonderful classic!
thelasonj
WOW! That is absolutely beautiful!!