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."
Because Of You
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The world is like a toy balloon
I hear a love song and I cry
And I know why
Because I love you, girl
Because I love you, girl
You know there's nothing in the world that I wouldn't do
Nothing in the world that I wouldn't do
If you ask me for the moon
Of course Id show up the moon
No matter what you ask Ill try
And you know why
Because I love you, girl
Because I love you, girl
You know there's nothing in the world that I wouldn't do
Nothing in the world that I wouldn't do
For you because I love you
Because I love you, girl
Because I love you, girl
You know there's nothing in the world that I wouldn't do
Nothing in the world that I wouldn't do
For you because I love you
The Stylistics' song "Because of You" is a love song that speaks of the lengths a person would go to for the one they love. The opening lines refer to how even a rose blooming in Holland seems important, and the world seems like a toy balloon to the person in love. This could be interpreted as the heightened awareness and appreciation of the world that love can bring. The singer then mentions hearing a love song that makes them cry, but it is not clear whether it is a sad or happy cry. Regardless, the cry is indicative of the depth of emotion and feeling that the person experiences due to their love for their partner.
The chorus of the song highlights the main message, and the title of the song: "Because I love you, girl." The repetition of this line drives home the message, emphasizing the central theme of the song. The lyrics go on to say that there is nothing in the world that the singer wouldn't do for their partner. They would even go so far as to get them the moon, figuratively speaking. The line "No matter what you ask, I'll try" exemplifies the unconditional love that the singer feels for their partner.
Overall, the lyrics of "Because of You" by The Stylistics are a testament to the power of love and the incredible lengths that it can drive a person to go. The song celebrates the intense emotions and strong connection that can be found in love.
Line by Line Meaning
A rose in Holland starts to bloom
Even the most unexpected and unlikely events can happen, just as my love for you grew unexpectedly like a rose in Holland.
The world is like a toy balloon
The world seems so small and insignificant compared to my love for you, which feels limitless like an ever-expanding balloon.
I hear a love song and I cry
The beauty and emotion in love songs move me to tears, reminding me of the depth of my love for you.
And I know why
I understand and embrace the reasons for my love and devotion to you.
If you should ask me for the moon
No matter how impossible the request, I would do anything to make you happy and fulfill your desires, going as far as getting the moon for you.
Of course I’d show up with the moon
I am determined and committed to doing whatever it takes to make you happy, no matter how challenging or improbable the task may seem.
No matter what you ask, I’ll try
My love for you motivates me to put in effort towards any request or challenge, even if it may seem difficult or out of reach.
And you’d know why
You would understand the depth of my love and commitment to you, and know that I will always strive to make you happy and fulfill your wishes.
Because I love you girl
The reason behind my devotion to you is simply because I love you, and the depth of that love knows no bounds.
You know there’s nothing in the world
There are no limits to what I am willing to do for you, because nothing in this world is greater than the love I have for you.
That I wouldn’t do
I am committed to fulfilling any request or challenge you may have, because my love for you is limitless and knows no bounds.
Nothing in the world
No matter what the challenge or obstacle may be, my love for you ensures that I will always strive to overcome it and accomplish what you desire.
Because I love you
The reason behind and driving force of all my actions and dedication towards you is simply because I love you more than anything else in this world.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: GEORGE DAVID WEISS, HUGO PERETTI, LUIGI CREATORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Concerned
on Mine All Mine
These are NOT the lyrics to this song in any language or version.
Neil Aspin
on Me - U = Blue
Wonderfull
Melvin Miles
on Could This Be The End
Love the song