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."
Break Up to Make Up
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never seem to make you happy though heaven knows I try
What does it take to please you? Tell me just how
I can satisfy you woman, you're driving me wild
Break up to make up, that's all we do
First you love me then you hate me, that's a game for fools
Break up to make up that's all we do
When I come home from working, you're on the phone
Talking about how bad I treat you, now tell me I'm wrong
You say it's me who argues, I'll say it's you
We have got to get together or baby, we're through
Break up to make up, that's all we do
First you love me then you hate me, that's a game for fools
Break up to make up, that's all we do
Yeah, first you love me then you hate me, that's a game for fools
Break up to make up, that's all we do
Yeah, first you love me then you hate me, that's a game for fools
Break up to make up, that's all we do
First you love me then you hate me, that's a game for fools
The Stylistics' "Break Up to Make Up" highlights the tumultuous nature of a relationship that keeps going through cycles of breakups and reconciliations. The singer is lost in a state of perplexity as he tries to understand what's driving his woman to be unhappy, despite his best efforts. He is willing to do whatever it takes to bring her satisfaction and joy. But no matter how hard he tries, the relationship seems to be a never-ending game of cat and mouse between love and hate. The couple keeps getting back together only to fall apart again, like they are addicted to each other's misery.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me what's wrong with you now, tell me why I
The singer is asking his partner to communicate what is bothering her, as he is struggling to understand why his efforts to make her happy are not working.
Never seem to make you happy though heaven knows I try
Despite his best efforts, the singer has been unable to satisfy his partner and make her content.
What does it take to please you? Tell me just how
The singer is desperate for guidance on what he needs to do to make his partner happy and meet her needs.
I can satisfy you woman, you're driving me wild
Although the singer is feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by his partner's dissatisfaction, he is still deeply in love with her and committed to making things work.
When I come home from working, you're on the phone
The singer's partner is frequently on the phone, discussing their relationship and complaining about how he treats her.
Talking about how bad I treat you, now tell me I'm wrong
The partner is accusing the singer of mistreating her, despite his belief that he is doing everything he can to make her happy and meet her needs.
You say it's me who argues, I'll say it's you
Both partners blame each other for the conflict and tension in their relationship.
We have got to get together or baby, we're through
The singer recognizes that their relationship is in serious trouble and may not survive without significant effort from both partners to work through their issues.
Break up to make up, that's all we do
Their relationship has become a cycle of breaking up and reconciling, with little real progress towards resolving their underlying issues.
First you love me then you hate me, that's a game for fools
The singer believes that their tumultuous relationship, in which they oscillate between love and hate, is inherently self-destructive and foolish.
Break up to make up, that's all we do
Their repeating pattern of breaking up and making up is causing them to feel stuck and unable to move forward in their relationship.
Yeah, first you love me then you hate me, that's a game for fools
The singer reiterates that their dysfunctional relationship is a common trap that many people fall into and warns against continuing to play this destructive game.
Break up to make up, that's all we do
Their relationship seems to be defined by this never-ending cycle of breaking up and getting back together.
First you love me then you hate me, that's a game for fools
The repeated cycle of loving and hating in their relationship is a futile and foolish game that they must stop playing if they hope to make things work.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH GAMBLE, KENNY GAMBLE, LINDA CREED, LINDA DIANE CREED, THOM BELL, THOMAS RANDOLPH BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@langellove4198
"THE STYLISTICS" MUSIC WAS ALWAYS A VERY GOOD WISE
INVESTMENT WHENEVER YOU
LISTEN TO THEIR MUSIC AND
BOUGHT THEM FOR GREAT
ENTERTAINMENT BECAUSE
THEY HAD SO MANY MUSIC
CONNOISSEURS BACK IN DAY
THAT LISTEN TO THEM ALMOST
24/7 ON EVERY RADIO STATIONS
PLAYED IN EVERY HOUSEHOLD AND NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY
WERE THE BEST IN THE LOCAL
NIGHTCLUBS, RESTAURANTS
HOUSE PARTIES AND JUKEBOXES
INCLUDING MYSELF W/MY COPY BACK IN THE DAY, SO ONCE
AGAIN IT'S GREAT TO ENJOY
THEM AGAIN IN 2019, AND DUE
TO THE FACT THEIR MUSIC WAS AND STILL "TIMELESS" TO THE MAX
@adamadam-tp6hh
I remember being a kid, moms would play this album all the time, brings back so many memories. She recently passed away, that hurt more than words can ever express. RIP mom, rest eternally. I hope I see you again. 😘🙏😘
@curtissantos3137
That's because she loved your dad!!!!!!! That's why she played it my beloved brother!!! Sorry you lost your mom!!!! Rest assure she lives still in the real world
@sheilacox2174
Be Comforted in her Memories ! Always With You !
@lesleyburton6286
Life a Song worth Singing so sing it!😊😊
@loraeichel7304
😔
@lesleyburton6286
Luv is what Luv does luv but if it hurts just exhale and let it go to many other's to have your luv!😊😊
@mikem5396
This song is Ridiculously Beautiful and everyone in the world should have it in their playlist hands down!!
@blooflazh7
thats what im saying! so underrated
@celestegarcia3567
Oldies will never die 😻
@jamesdouglasiii5810
Wow, you are beautiful!