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 Just Can
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me, oh
If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
Hey, cause I believe in me, oh
If I can see it, then I can do it (I can do it)
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
Hey, if I just spread my wings
I can fly
I can fly
I can fly, hey
If I just spread my wings
I can fly
Hum, fly
The lyrics to The Stylistics' song "I Can" convey a powerful message of self-belief and determination. The song begins with the singer reflecting on a time in their life when they felt like they couldn't go on, and when life felt unbearable. However, the singer now understands the true meaning of love, which has given them the strength to keep going. They speak of "leaning on the everlasting arms," suggesting a sense of security and trust in something greater than themselves.
The main message of the song really comes across in the chorus, where the singer repeatedly declares "I believe I can fly." This is a powerful metaphorical statement that speaks to the idea of personal growth and breakthrough. By "flying," the singer is suggesting that there are no limits to what they can achieve - and that if they only believe in themselves, they can accomplish anything. Throughout the song, the message is positive, uplifting, and emotional.
The second verse speaks to the idea that sometimes, we can be our own worst enemies. The singer reflects on a time when they were "on the verge of breaking down," and acknowledges the importance of focusing on personal growth and achievement. They speak of "miracles in life" that they must achieve, but emphasize that these begin within themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to think that I could not go on
I thought I couldn't continue with life
And life was nothing but an awful song
I believed life was difficult and unpleasant
But now I know the meaning of true love
But now I understand what true love is
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms
I am relying on the support of eternal love
If I can see it, then I can do it
I can accomplish anything if I can visualize it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I just need to have faith to achieve it
I believe I can fly
I have the confidence to soar
I believe I can touch the sky
I have the power to reach great heights
I think about it every night and day
I constantly ponder my potential
Spread my wings and fly away
I will take flight to new opportunities
I believe I can soar
I have the ability to elevate and surpass my goals
I see me running through that open door
I envision success and embrace new possibilities
See I was on the verge of breaking down
I was close to falling apart
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
Silence can be overwhelming and stressful
There are miracles in life I must achieve
I have goals to reach and dreams to fulfill
But first I know it starts inside of me, oh
However, I understand that the change must begin within myself
Hey, cause I believe in me, oh
Because I have confidence in myself
If I can see it, then I can do it (I can do it)
I can accomplish anything if I have a clear vision of it
Hey, if I just spread my wings
If I take a leap of faith and embrace new challenges
I can fly
I can achieve great things
Hum, fly
I will soar towards my dreams and aspirations
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT S. KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LESLEY A. LOVE
I NEVER KNEW THIS SONG EXISTED BEFORE BY "THE LEGENDARY STYLISTICS" BECAUSE IT'S ALL
NEW TO MY EARS, JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I HEARD ALL THEIR GREATEST HITS, BUT
BUT, NEVERTHELESS,
"THE STYLISTICS" WOULD ALWAYS
SING SOME OF THE GREATEST
LOVE SONGS THROUGHOUT THEIR
MUSIC CAREERS IN PERFECT
HARMONY AND SWEET MELODIES,
ALSO ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL
ALONG WITH EXCELLENT QUALITY
MUSIC TO COMPLEMENT THEIR
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES WITHIIN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AS GREAT ENTERTAINERS, BASICALLY
TO PLEASE ALL THEIR MUSIC CONNOISSEURS WORLDWIDE AND DOMINATE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY,
AND THEY DID JUST THAT
SUCCESSFULLY.
Maribeth Vergara
This is so beautiful, never heard this song of stylistics before.Can't stop listening and loving this song.
Arthur Jankins
Gorgeous song, and this sounds so classic!
Sonia Ortiz Pernetti
I grew up listening to the stylists.
“In Fashion” was my favorite album. I’ll never stop listening to their beautiful music!!! 💕😌💕
SendaAngosta
It happened the same to me, this one I never heard before but it is precious. The Stylistics were really kings of music.
Marcos Fontes
Lindas músicas que não voltam mais
Stylistics SoulGroove
we need more songs like this to get America back on track about what love is really about...and not angry rap about women being sluts and glocs or the N word...I just want real music that is positive and moving...
Sugar Marshall
This is how I feel about my baby right now. Love this song.
ISR Berlinerin
I love this song, never heard it before!
Marshmallow
What a beautiful song, and such smooth vocals from Airrion Love in this selection.
LESLEY A. LOVE
I NEVER KNEW THIS SONG EXISTED BEFORE BY "THE LEGENDARY STYLISTICS" BECAUSE IT'S ALL
NEW TO MY EARS, JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I HEARD ALL THEIR GREATEST HITS, BUT
BUT, NEVERTHELESS,
"THE STYLISTICS" WOULD ALWAYS
SING SOME OF THE GREATEST
LOVE SONGS THROUGHOUT THEIR
MUSIC CAREERS IN PERFECT
HARMONY AND SWEET MELODIES,
ALSO ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL
ALONG WITH EXCELLENT QUALITY
MUSIC TO COMPLEMENT THEIR
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES WITHIIN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AS GREAT ENTERTAINERS, BASICALLY
TO PLEASE ALL THEIR MUSIC CONNOISSEURS WORLDWIDE AND DOMINATE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY,
AND THEY DID JUST THAT
SUCCESSFULLY.