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."
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The Stylistics’ rendition of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is an upbeat and uplifting take on the classic Christmas carol. The song’s lyrics offer a message of comfort and joy, reminding listeners of the birth of Christ and its significance as a means of salvation. The song directs listeners to “let nothing [them] dismay” and to remember the good news of Christ’s birth. The chorus repeats the comforting message of “tidings of comfort and joy,” reinforcing the song’s theme of hope and redemption.
The first verse of the song reflects on the power of Christ to save humankind from Satan’s grip. The second verse paints a picture of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, and notes that even his mother, Mary, did not scorn his humble birthplace. The third verse tells of an angel coming to shepherds to announce the birth of Christ, and encourages them to have no fear. The shepherds leave their flocks to go and find the baby Jesus, and the final verse calls on all people to come together in celebration and love during the holy tide of Christmas.
Overall, The Stylistics’ rendition of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” offers a message of hope and joy during the Christmas season. The song’s lyrics remind listeners of the power of Christ to save and encourage them to embrace each other in true love and brotherhood.
Line by Line Meaning
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
May God bring you peace and happiness, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Do not let anything bring you down
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Think of Jesus Christ, our rescuer
Was born on Christmas day
He was born on December 25th
To save us all from Satan's power
To rescue us from the devil's control
When we were gone astray
When we had lost our way
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Oh what wonderful news that brings peace and happiness, comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
In the town of Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
This special baby was delivered
And laid within a manger
And placed in a feeding trough
Upon this blessed morn
On this special morning
The which His Mother Mary
His mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
Did not look down on it
From God our Heavenly Father
From our father in heaven, God
A blessed Angel came;
A lucky angel arrived;
And unto certain Shepherds
And to a group of shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
Delivered the same good news:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
That the Son of God was born in Bethlehem.
Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
"Do not be afraid," said the angel, "Nothing will harm you. Today is born a rescuer, born of a pure and shining virgin. He will set free all those who believe in him from the devil's control."
The shepherds at those tidings
The shepherds upon hearing the news
Rejoiced much in mind,
Were very happy in their hearts
And left their flocks a-feeding
And left their sheep grazing
In tempest, storm and wind:
In bad weather conditions:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
And immediately went to Bethlehem
The Son of God to find.
To find the Son of God.
Now to the Lord sing praises,
Now sing praises to the Lord
All you within this place,
All of you who are here,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
And hug each other with love and friendship;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
The holiness of Christmas outshines everything else.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonywashington1247
A piece of Art, this song is. It is really smooth and heartfelt.
@tlp003tp
I LOVE THIS RENDITION, SO SOOTHING,,
@nanettewhite8269
I have always loved this version