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.
Time Waits for No One
The Friends of Distinction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And nobody gets away
There's no exception
We all got our dues to pay
And it's as sure as all the stars up above
If we don't hurry up we're gonna lose our love
And we're running out of time
Some people blow it
They wake up when it's too late
Don't say tomorrow
The clock on the won't wait
It won't slow down,
it just keeps movin' so fast
While you talk about the future,
it's becomin' the past
Time waits for no one
And we're running out of time
Running, running, running, running
So take me now and love me right on the spot
We gotta make the most of every minute we've got
Time waits for no one
And we're running out of time
Time waits for no one...
The Friends of Distinction's song "Time Waits For No One" is a reflective and inspirational song that reminds listeners that time is precious and fleeting. The first verse states that time waits for no one, and that everyone has their own dues to pay. The second verse emphasizes that some people waste their time and only realize their mistake when it's too late. The chorus repeats the message that time waits for no one and that we're running out of time.
The song is a call to action, urging listeners to take advantage of the time they have and not waste it. The lyrics encourage people to seize the moment and love fully in the present, without worrying about what might happen in the future. The overall message of the song is that life is short, and we should make the most of it.
In terms of musical composition, "Time Waits For No One" features a catchy melody and a soulful sound that would appeal to fans of R&B and funk. The vocals are powerful and emotive, and the instrumentation features a strong rhythm section and lively horns.
Overall, "Time Waits For No One" is a timeless classic that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. Its message of making the most of every moment is as relevant now as it was when the song was first released.
Line by Line Meaning
Time waits for no one
There is no stopping or slowing down of time.
And nobody gets away
Everyone has to face the consequences of their actions.
There's no exception
No one is exempt from the reality of time.
We all got our dues to pay
We all have responsibilities and obligations.
And it's as sure as all the stars up above
This is an undeniable fact, just like the constellations in the sky.
If we don't hurry up we're gonna lose our love
If we don't act quickly, we may lose what is most important to us.
And we're running out of time
The time we have left is limited and slipping away.
Some people blow it
Some people waste their opportunities.
They wake up when it's too late
They realize the importance of time only when it is gone.
Don't say tomorrow
Don't procrastinate or put things off until later.
The clock on the won't wait
Time will not slow down or wait for anyone.
It won't slow down,
The pace of time does not change.
it just keeps movin' so fast
Time moves quickly and relentlessly.
While you talk about the future,
While you make plans for tomorrow,
it's becomin' the past
Time is constantly moving forward, and the future quickly becomes the past.
So take me now and love me right on the spot
Seize the moment and make the most of every opportunity.
We gotta make the most of every minute we've got
We must use our time wisely and not waste any of it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, NEIL SEDAKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@girarddunn7903
I was in high school in the 70s when this song came out, I’m 70 yrs old now, still listening to this great song.
@neoconsnightmare4
Great, underrated song here. I can't believe nobody has said anything in the 2.5 years this video has been up. Great group, great individual singers, great harmonies...it's a pity they're mostly forgotten.
@dchern
composed by Sedaka and Greenfield
@TheAerovons
Amazing bass line too!
@tomatobanana7730
Heard this on the radio the other day. Glad i finally found it.
@itsabovemenow1016
Hard to believe this album is over 50 years old now
@XXIHCVET91
Love the Friends. Was surprised to learn that Jessica Cleaves was an original member. Thought for many years that her sole musical contribution was with EW&F on Head To The Sky, '73.
@FerdelJarman
Jessica Cleaved also sang with Parliament Funkadelic for a little while during the late 70s and early 80s, she had some unreleased songs produced by George Clinton that were released many years ago as well.
@FerdelJarman
I apologize for the typo Jessica Cleaves, my spell check kept changing the spelling.
@mrob75
Neil Sedaka