The Stylistics were one of the most well-known Philadelphia soul groups of … Read Full Bio ↴The Stylistics were one of the most well-known Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they comprised lead Russell Thompkins, Jr., Herbie Murrell, Airrion Love, James Smith, and James Dunn.

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."

Funky Weekend
The Stylistics Lyrics

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Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday, Friday

What it is, what it is
What it is

Funky weekend
Funky weekend
Funky weekend

Doo, doo, doo, woo
Funky weekend
Doo, doo, doo, woo

Gonna funk all night in a discotheque
Gonna love you, girl, till I'm just through it
Can't you dig it
Gonna get on down, gonna make some heat
Gonna rock my baby with a funky beat
Can you dig it

Funky weekend
Funky weekend
Funky weekend

Doo, doo, doo, woo
Funky weekend
Doo, doo, doo, woo

Funk, funk
Funk, funk, funk
Funk, funk, funk

Funk, funk, funk

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday, Friday

What it is, what it is
What it is

Funky weekend
Funky weekend
Funky weekend
Funky weekend

Doo, doo, doo, woo
Funky weekend
Doo, doo, doo, woo
Funky weekend

Doo, doo, doo, woo
Funky weekend
Doo, doo, doo, woo, woo, woo
Funky weekend

Doo, doo, doo

Overall Meaning

The Stylistics' "Funky Weekend" is a funk-infused love song about a couple's weekend plans. The song is predominantly constructed on four words repeated several times throughout: "Funky Weekend" and "What it is." The use of repetition here not only adds to the groove but also emphasizes the urgency and excitement of their plans.

The first verse suggests that they will be dancing all night in a discotheque and ends with a message of passion with the line "Gonna love you, girl until I'm just through it." The chorus reiterates their plans for a funky weekend but is extended in the second verse to include "gonna make some heat" and "gonna rock my baby with a funky beat." This adds an element of sensuality and funk to the weekend. The song concludes with the final repetition of "Funky weekend" and "Doo, doo, doo, woo," suggesting that they're going to have a wild and thrilling weekend.

Overall, "Funky Weekend" is an upbeat, danceable song about a couple's plans for an exciting and passionate weekend. The lyrics convey their intentions clearly and its driving funky beat is sure to get people on the dance floor.

Line by Line Meaning

Monday
The beginning of the workweek

Tuesday
The second day of the workweek

Wednesday
Midweek, still two days till the weekend

Thursday, Friday
Anticipation for the weekend rises as these are the last two days of the workweek

What it is, what it is
Acknowledgment and emphasis on the current situation

Funky weekend
A fun-filled and lively weekend ahead that promises some exciting activities

Doo, doo, doo, woo
Musical bridge to the next part of the song

Gonna funk all night in a discotheque
Planning to enjoy the night dancing to funky music in a discotheque

Gonna love you, girl, till I'm just through it
Expressing love for someone and planning to spend quality time together throughout the weekend

Can't you dig it
Asking if the listener is excited about the plans as well

Gonna get on down, gonna make some heat
Planning to have a good time and create a fun and lively atmosphere