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."
Country Living
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going back to country living
Where the air is fresh and clean
Going back to natural living
Where the grass grows tall and green
And the sky can be seen
(I'm going back, I'm going back)
I said goodbye to New York City
City life is not for me
Going where the stars shine nightly
And the sound of nature's voice
Lulls you to sleep
(I'm going back)
There's room enough for birds to fly
Time enough to try all the things you want to do
Country life, I'm with you
(I'm going back, I'm going back)
(I'm going back, I'm going back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Going back to country living
That's where I was meant to be
Gonna to take life nice and easy
Country bound to my old hometown
Gonna live as I please
(I'm going back, I'm going back)
There's room enough for birds to fly
Time enough to try all the things you want to do
Country life I'm with you
(I'm going back, I'm going back)
(I'm going back, I'm going back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
There's room enough for birds to fly
Time enough to try all the things you want to do
Country life I'm with you
(I'm going back, I'm going back)
There's room enough for birds to fly
Time enough to try all the things you want to do
Country life I'm with you
(I'm going back, I'm going back)
There's room enough for birds to fly
Time enough to try all the things you want to do
Country life I'm with you
(I'm going back, I'm going back)
The lyrics to The Stylistics' "Country Living" speak to the desire to return to a simpler way of life. The singer expresses a longing for the peace and tranquility of the countryside, where the air is fresh and clean and the grass grows tall and green. He contrasts this with his experience of city life, which he describes as not for him. Instead of the hustle and bustle of the city, he longs for the calm of nature and the sound of the stars shining nightly, which lulls him to sleep.
The lyrics also celebrate the freedom of country living, where there is room enough for birds to fly and time enough to try all the things you want to do. The singer expresses a desire to live as he pleases and take life nice and easy. There is a sense of returning to one's roots, as he declares that going back to country living is where he was meant to be. The repeated refrain, "I'm going back, I'm going back," reinforces the sense of inevitability and determination in the singer's desire to return to the countryside.
Overall, the lyrics to "Country Living" speak to a yearning for a simpler, more natural way of life, one that is free from the stresses and pressures of modern city living. They express a deep appreciation for the freedom and beauty of the countryside, and a desire to return to a place of peace and tranquility.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going back to country living
I am returning to living in the countryside
Where the air is fresh and clean
Where the atmosphere is pure and refreshing
Going back to natural living
Returning to a more organic and sustainable lifestyle
Where the grass grows tall and green
Where the flora is lush and verdant
And the sky can be seen
Where the horizon is clear and unobstructed
I said goodbye to New York City
I have left the hustle and bustle of the city
City life is not for me
I do not enjoy the urban lifestyle
Going where the stars shine nightly
Moving to a place with a clear view of the stars at night
And the sound of nature's voice
To be surrounded by the sounds of the natural world
Lulls you to sleep
Soothes you into slumber
There's room enough for birds to fly
There is ample space for avian creatures to soar
Time enough to try all the things you want to do
There is adequate time to pursue all one's ambitions
Country life, I'm with you
I'm committed to living a rural lifestyle
Going back to country living
Returning to a countryside dwelling
That's where I was meant to be
That is where I feel I belong
Gonna take life nice and easy
I plan to live a relaxed and leisurely existence
Country bound to my old hometown
I'm headed back to my former hometown in the countryside
Gonna live as I please
I will take pleasure in living exactly how I wish
Country life I'm with you
I've chosen the country lifestyle
Contributed by Isabella V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rosyrose6969
Love this song
@carmelsmith5372
I lv the stylistics. They sing such beautyful songs that hit u right in the heart. Songs about love and life. Pure genius. I have loved them 4 at least 40 years. Il c them at cliffs pavilion soon.xxxx
@jessicafalstein
Just wonderful.
@nazarenojunior3189
Curtindo aqui no RN Brasil esse grupo maravilhoso The Stylistics
@nancywood9531
Sing it pretty Russell. You're the man. For 34 years you did it the best. 🎤👏🎶
@kwameaboagye121
The Stylistics so bold beautiful and brilliant.
Russell Herb and Arion our brothers known as the Stylistics.
@waynesims2254
I'm going back to country living there's room enough for you if you're willing to go!!!
@dlittle39dl
Amherst Records Parent Company Is Tommy Boy Records......... Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice........🙂💯👍🏾
@waynesims2254
Great lead singer I had the chance to listen to a tape of there music back in the day at Kimble's East Emeryville Ca very kind brother I spent a little time with him in their dressing room during intermission break people was bringing in albums Tobe signed can you believe that be we had a great time!!!! Wayne M Sims.
@darrell6677
@waynesims2254 +nice anecdote...Fine venue back in the day.