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."
Can't Give You Anything But Lo
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
My luck is changing, it's gotten from
simply rotten to something worse
Who knows, some day I will win too.
I'll begin to reach my prime.
Now though I see what our end is,
I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find
Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.
Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.
Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
But I am willing to wait, dear,
Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
You have a lifetime before you.
I'll adore you, come what may.
Please don't be blue for the present,
When it's so pleasant to hear you say
I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile
We're sure to find
Happiness and I guess
All those things you've always pined for.
Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
I can't give you anything but love.
The Stylistics' song "Can't Give You Anything But Love" is a romantic ballad that expresses the singer's love for their partner, despite the financial and personal hardships they face. The lyrics reflect the struggles of being financially broke and the uncertainty of the future, but the singer is willing to wait for his loved one and offer them the only thing they can give, which is love. The song suggests that material wealth does not equate to happiness and that true happiness can be found in the love shared between two people.
The lyrics "Gee but it's tough to be broke, kid, it's not a joke, kid, it's a curse" highlight the financial struggles that the singer is facing. The line "My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse" suggests that the singer's hardships have only gotten worse despite attempts to improve their situation. Despite this, the singer believes that their luck will eventually change, and they will be able to give their loved one the material things they desire.
The chorus repeats "I can't give you anything but love, baby" which emphasizes that even though the singer cannot provide material possessions, love is the most important gift they can offer. The verse "Dream awhile, scheme awhile, we're sure to find, happiness and I guess, all those things you've always pined for" suggests that despite their financial situation, they can still dream and create a plan to work towards a better future together.
Line by Line Meaning
Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid.
Being poor is a difficult situation, my dear.
It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse.
It's not a funny situation, it's a terrible misfortune.
My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse
Things are getting worse, my fortune is declining.
Who knows, some day I will win too.
Maybe someday I will also be fortunate.
I'll begin to reach my prime.
I'll start to achieve my full potential.
Now though I see what our end is,
But now I understand what our fate is,
All I can spend is just my time.
All I can offer is my time.
I can't give you anything but love, baby.
I may not have material wealth to give you, darling.
That's the only thing I've plenty of,baby.
But I have an abundance of love to offer.
Dream awhile, scheme awhile
Let's dream and plan for a while
We're sure to find Happiness and I guess
We'll eventually find happiness and all the things you desire
All those things you've always pined for.
All the things you've always longed for.
Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, baby.
I'd love to see you happy and thriving, my love.
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, baby.
I may not afford expensive jewelry for you, my love.
Till that lucky day you know darned well, baby.
Until I am lucky enough to provide for you as you deserve.
Rome wasn't built in a day, kid.
Big achievements take time, my dear.
You have to pay, kid, for what you get.
You have to work and sacrifice to achieve your goals.
But I am willing to wait, dear,
But I am patient and willing to wait for you.
Your little mate, dear, will not forget.
I'll never forget you, my beloved partner.
You have a lifetime before you.
We have plenty of time ahead of us, my love.
I'll adore you, come what may.
I'll love you no matter what happens in our lives.
Please don't be blue for the present,
Please don't be sad in the meantime.
When it's so pleasant to hear you say
When it's delightful to hear you speak
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dianebarnaby-watler6877
I would give anything to bring back these Groups of yesteryear. The songs they sang had meaning. They had style and charisma. They had it all. Most of all very entertaining. These songs are timeless. Kudos to the songwriters and all who were involved to make these beautiful songs. 🙂🙂🙂
@yington
Which song are you on about?
@andersoncleyton5916
Músicas, que nos faz voltar ao passado e fazer tudo diferente. Mas nem tudo podemos mudar!!! ❤️🎶
@luanova2022
Eu vou amar esses caras para sempre!🍎
@20079037
Yo tengo 20 años pero esta canción me ENCANTA! creo que mi generación se esta criando sin grandes bandas como THE STYLISTIC, THE PLATTERS y muchas mas de los años 50's, 60's y 70's !!!! eso es muy penoso ahora las producciones musicales son muy descartables! Esta canción tiene todos los ingredientes que la transforman en LEYENDA E INOLVIDABLE. ESTO SI QUE ES MÚSICA!
@nigelbeaumont1109
JOSE BRINGAS ..... this is America..., we speak English.
@caroljoclark9643
One of the most beautiful loves songs ever written.
@sampono1962
Written by Van McCoy?
@bobbywall172
Carol Jo Clark oh yes!! Saw them in Winston Salem a few years ago,!sang every song, the crowd was wild!!!!
@paulkmetko6979
These singers are good i like the oldies are the best.