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."
08 Ebony Eyes
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At work it seems I do things wrong
Thinking about the girl I love
My ebony eyes
She is everything a girl should be
Sometimes I find it hard to see
Why she loves a guy like me
Sweet little ebony eyes
Girl, you got me hypnotized
Talking about the girl I love
My ebony eyes
There will never be
Anyone as good for me
She's the only girl
I'll ever love (the only girl that I'll ever love)
Ebony eyes
My ebony eyes
Sweetest little girl alive
My ebony eyes
Talking about the girl I love
My ebony eyes
Oh, loveliest girl alive
My ebony eyes
Talking about the girl I love
My ebony eyes
Oh, talking about the girl I love
The Stylistics' "Ebony Eyes" is a love song and a homage to the singer's love interest. It begins with the singer talking about how he talks about her all day long, so much that it distracts him from work. He thinks about her consistently, especially her features, exemplified by the repetition of "My ebony eyes." The singer then goes into how she is everything that a girl should be, although he is not sure why she loves him. The chorus continues with the singer proclaiming his love for the girl and how she has him hypnotized with her "ebony eyes." He admits that there will never be anyone as good for him and that she is the only girl he will ever love.
Line by Line Meaning
I talk about her all day long (talk about her all day long)
I can't seem to stop thinking about her and the feeling is so strong that I can't help but talk about her constantly.
At work it seems I do things wrong
My affection towards the girl I love is so overpowering that it has started to have an impact on my work life, leading me to make mistakes out of distraction.
Thinking about the girl I love
My thoughts are completely consumed with the one girl that I love and care about deeply.
My ebony eyes
This is in reference to the girl's beautiful and captivating eyes, which are a deep shade of black or brown, commonly referred to as 'ebony'.
She is everything a girl should be
The girl I love possesses all the qualities that I could possibly imagine in a perfect partner, making her the ideal match for me.
Sometimes I find it hard to see
Despite being with the perfect girl, there are still times when I question myself and my worthiness to be with someone so wonderful.
Why she loves a guy like me
I am constantly amazed and humbled by the fact that this incredible girl could love someone like me, who by comparison seems ordinary and unremarkable.
Sweet little ebony eyes
This is another endearing nickname for the girl, specifically referring to her beautiful and captivating eyes.
Girl, you got me hypnotized
The girl I love has such a profound effect on me that it feels as though I am under her spell or hypnotized by her presence.
There will never be
It is an absolute certainty that nobody else will ever match up to this girl in my eyes.
Anyone as good for me
Nobody else could ever come close to matching the unique qualities of the girl I love, and she is truly the best fit for me as a partner.
She's the only girl
There is only one girl who holds a special place in my heart, and no other could ever hope to take her place.
I'll ever love (the only girl that I'll ever love)
The girl I love is not just a passing infatuation or temporary crush, but rather someone who I truly love with all my heart, and always will.
Sweetest little girl alive
Another term of endearment used to describe the girl I love, emphasizing how sweet and wonderful she is in every way.
Oh, loveliest girl alive
Yet another way of describing the girl I love as the most beautiful and charming person I have ever met.
Talking about the girl I love
This line serves as a reminder that the entire song is dedicated to the girl who has won the singer's heart and continues to enchant him with her presence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: THOM BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dailton Alves
Música Linda parabéns pelo vídeo
MyFriendIsaac
Fantastic 👌🏾🔥🎤
Mr J
Real music love
It. 4 life. Peace ✌
rollerchickable
I Love This Song, This My Skating Jam, Thank you For Sharing.
C Flo
OH THAT GUITAR INTRO!!!!!
Nancy Wood
Russell singing recording this so alone....he double cut and singing along with himself...(all parts) versatile 4 range voice. Thom Bell singing along with him. 🎶🎤🎶
Earl S
Wow!, really.