They had their first U.S. hit in 1971 with "You're a Big Girl Now". Signing to Avco Records, The Stylistics began working with producer Thom Bell, who had already produced a catalogue of hits for The Delfonics, and songwriter Linda Creed. Bell imported the sweet soul techniques he had perfected with The Delfonics, and his arrangements worked perfectly with Thompkins' falsetto. The bittersweet lyrics from Creed were a key factor in creating hugely memorable music.
Their hits, distilled from three albums, from this period included "Betcha by Golly, Wow", "I'm Stone in Love with You", "You Make Me Feel Brand New" featuring a double lead with Love, "Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart" and "You Are Everything". "You Make Me Feel Brand New" was the group's biggest U.S. hit, holding at #2 for two weeks in the spring of 1974, and was one of five U.S. gold singles the Stylistics collected. The Stylistics' smooth sound also found an easier path onto adult contemporary airwaves than other soul artists, and the group made Billboard magazine's Easy Listening singles chart twelve times from 1971 to 1976, with three entries, "Betcha By Golly, Wow," "You Make Me Feel Brand New," and "You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)" reaching the Top 10.
The group split with Thom Bell in 1974, and the split proved devastating commercially to the group's success in the USA. Just as with The Delfonics, The Stylistics were to some extent a vehicle for Bell's own creativity. They struggled hard to find producers who could come up with the right material, and partnerships with Hugo & Luigi and Van McCoy were notably less successful. They left Avco for H&L Records and the Stylistics' popularity rapidly declined in the U.S., though their British popularity continued for the rest of the 1970s.
In 1980, James Dunn departed due to health problems, and James Smith left shortly thereafter. The group continued, recruiting new member Raymond Johnson, and releasing the album Some Things Never Change, in 1985. Johnson departed shortly afterward, leaving the group a trio. Love, Murrell, and Thompkins continued to tour until 2000, when original lead Thompkins left. Love and Murrell brought in two new members, Harold "Eban" Brown, formerly of the Delfonics, as lead ( who sounds amazingly like a young Russell Thompkins), and tenor Van Fields. The present group is featured live on the DVD's "The Stylistics Live at the Convention Center" (2006), as well as along with other artists of the '70's on the DVD "The Big Show."
In 2004, Russell Thompkins, Jr. started a new group, the New Stylistics, with the returning Raymond Johnson, James Ranton, and Jonathan Buckson. They are featured on the DVD "Old School Soul Party Live!," which was part of the PBS "My Music" series.
The Stylistics' catalog of hits have been mined frequently by other artists in recent years. Notable examples include "Betcha By Golly, Wow" covered by Prince, "You Are Everything" remade by Vanessa Williams, and "You Make Me Feel Brand New" redone by Boyz ll Men Roberta Flack and Simply Red. Mary J. Blige also used the chief line from the chorus of "You Are Everything" ("You are everything, and everything is you") in her 1997 hit "Everything." In 2006, Letoya Luckett used a similar sample to the background track of "You Are Everything" for the music to her hit single "Torn."
07. People Make The World Go Round
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, why
Because they want more pay
Buses on strike want a raise in fare
So they can help pollute the air
But that's what makes the world go 'round
The up and down, the carousel
Go underground, young man
People make the world go 'round
Wall Street losing dough on every share
They're blaming it on longer hair
Big men smoking in their easy chairs
On a fat cigar without a care
But that's what makes the world go 'round
The up and down, the carousel
Changing people, heads around
Go underground, young man
People make the world go 'round
But that's what makes the world go 'round
The up and down, the carousel
Changing people, heads around
Go underground, young man
People make the world go 'round
People make the world go 'round
People make the world go 'round
People make the world go 'round
People make the world go 'round
In this song by The Stylistics titled "People Make the World Go Round", the lyrics describe the various struggles and issues that people face in society. The opening lines talk about how the trash men didn't show up to do their job because they want more pay, and then moves on to describe how the bus drivers have gone on strike to demand higher fares. The song then goes on to talk about how the stock market is losing money and how people in high positions of power are smoking cigars and not caring about the world around them.
Despite all of these struggles and issues, the chorus emphasizes that "people make the world go round". The song acknowledges that society is flawed, but ultimately it is the actions of people that keep the world moving forward. The lyrics speak to the idea that even though there are problems and struggles, people have the power to change things and make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Trash men didn't get my trash today
The trash collectors did not collect my trash today
Because they want more pay
The reason for the trash collectors not collecting my trash is that they are on strike for higher wages.
Buses on strike want a raise in fare
Bus drivers are on strike and they demanded an increase in their fares.
So they can help pollute the air
Ironically, the strike for a pay raise might potentially increase air pollution as more people now use personal vehicles for transportation.
But that's what makes the world go 'round
Despite the difficulties brought about by strikes, protests, and economic downturns, these events are what constitute the dynamics of the world - its ups and downs, and its constant changes
The up and down, the carousel
The ins and outs of life's fluctuations and uncertainties, constantly seeing the world around us shift and move.
Changing people's heads around
Life's challenges and tribulations can change a person's perspective and way of thinking.
Go underground, young man
The song encourages the youth to seek deeper understanding and perspective by exploring different ideas and experiences.
Wall Street losing dough on every share
The stock market is experiencing losses as stocks fall in value.
They're blaming it on longer hair
The older generation is blaming the younger generation, particularly those with longer hair, for the financial downturn.
Big men smoking in their easy chairs
Wealthy and influential people who have minimal concerns can afford to enjoy luxurious activities like smoking cigars without any worries.
On a fat cigar without a care
These wealthy individuals who are unaffected by Wall Street's losses are relaxing and enjoying a good smoke without any stress or worry.
People make the world go 'round
The song's main message is that people drive the world, with their actions and choices making significant impacts on the world's progress and development.
People make the world go 'round
People are the key ingredient in the progress of the world.
People make the world go 'round
People have a powerful impact on the direction of the world, particularly through their actions and decisions.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LINDA DIANE CREED, THOMAS RANDOLPH BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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