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."
I
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love's last episode
There's nowhere to go, oh no
You made your choice, now it's up to me
To bow out gracefully
Though you hold the key, but baby
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
I'll be around
I, knew just what to say
Now I found out today
That all the words had slipped away, but I know
There's always a chance
A tiny spark will remain, yeah
And sparks turn into flames
And love can burn once again, but I know you know
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
I'll be around, yeah
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
Even if I have to call, I'll be there
I'll be around
Just call me on the phone, I'll be there
I'll never leave you alone, I'll be there
Just call out my name you know I know you know
I'll be around
I'll be skipping and jumping, I'll be there
I'll be a-rippin' it up, I'll be there
I'll be calling out your name to let you know
I'll be around
The Stylistics' song "I'll Be Around" expresses the sense of loss and confusion when a relationship comes to an end. The lyrics are about being left with nothing to do but to move on and let go because the other person has already decided to end the relationship. The song paints a picture of a fork in the road where the lovers must part ways for good. The line "Love's last episode" indicates that this is the end of the romantic journey the couple has been on.
The first verse of the song shows that the writer is aware that their relationship is ending, but they still hold on to some hope that things can work out. The second verse expresses regret, with the singer admitting that they knew what to say earlier but lost their words at the most critical moment.
The chorus shows the singer's willingness to be there for their ex-partner whenever they need them. They want the person to know that they will always be around, ready to offer whatever support is necessary. The writer's commitment to be there for their ex-partner shows that they still care about them even though the relationship is over.
Overall, "I'll Be Around" is a song of emotional maturity and resilience. The writer acknowledges the pain of loss and shows a willingness to accept the situation, move on, and be there for the other person in a more platonic way.
Line by Line Meaning
This, is our fork in the road
This is the point where we have to make a decision about the future of our relationship
Love's last episode
This may be the final moment or chapter of our love story
There's nowhere to go, oh no
There's no more hope left for us, and we can't continue our relationship any longer
You made your choice, now it's up to me
You've made a decision, and now it's up to me to accept it and respond accordingly
To bow out gracefully
I will remove myself from the situation respectfully
Though you hold the key, but baby
Even though you have the power to determine the outcome, my love for you still remains
Whenever you call me, I'll be there
I will always be available for you whenever you need me, whether it be for love or support
Whenever you want me, I'll be there
I will always make myself available to you when you need me, regardless of the circumstances
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
I will be there to provide comfort, help, or support whenever you require it
I'll be around
I will always be there, even if it's just to listen or lend a shoulder to cry on
I, knew just what to say
I used to know exactly what to say to make you feel loved and happy
Now I found out today
But now I realize that I may have lost that ability
That all the words had slipped away, but I know
I may not be able to express myself as well as I used to, but I still love you deeply
There's always a chance
There's still hope for our relationship, even though we may be at a difficult point right now
A tiny spark will remain, yeah
There's still a flicker of love and affection between us, and it could grow into something more profound
And sparks turn into flames
Small feelings and emotions can increase and develop into a comprehensive love once again
But I know you know
I think you agree and understand this possibility
Even if I have to call, I'll be there
Even if you don't reach out first, I will always be willing to make the first move and reach out to you
Just call me on the phone, I'll be there
Just pick up the phone and give me a call, and I will be there for you
I'll never leave you alone, I'll be there
No matter what, you can always count on me to be by your side and support you
Just call out my name you know I know you know
You don't have to say or do anything special – just say my name, and I'll understand what you need
I'll be skipping and jumping, I'll be there
I'll be eager and enthusiastic to see you, and I'll be there for you with a smile
I'll be a-rippin' it up, I'll be there
I'll put my energy and effort into being there for you, no matter what it takes
I'll be calling out your name to let you know
I'll do whatever it takes to let you know that I'm there for you, and that you can always count on my love and support
I'll be around
I'll always be there for you, even if things get tough
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Phil Hurtt, Thom Bell, Thom Randolph Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Concerned
on Mine All Mine
These are NOT the lyrics to this song in any language or version.
Neil Aspin
on Me - U = Blue
Wonderfull
Melvin Miles
on Could This Be The End
Love the song