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."
It Started Out
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tales of woe with happy endings
Tell me no more
Tired of hearing people's problems
Tired of hearing how they argue
Tell me no more
Can't control no one but me
So if you can let them work it out
So if you can let them work it out
Friends like you come by the dozen
Spreading tales for some excitement
Tell me no more
I'm aware that they have problems
Talk won't ease the situation
Tell me no more
Realize that you're creating
Vicious lies whenever you speak
So if you can let them work it out
So if you can let them work it out
Realize that you're creating
Vicious lies whenever you speak
So if you can let them work it out
So if you can let them work it out
So if you can let them work it out
So if you can let them work it out
So if you can let them work it out
The lyrics of The Stylistics' song "It Started Out" appear to convey a sense of exhaustion and frustration with hearing about other people's problems and dramas. The singer is tired of listening to stories of hardship that supposedly end with a happy resolution, as well as tired of hearing about people's arguments and conflicts. They assert that the way others live their lives doesn't affect them and that they can only control themselves.
The singer urges their friend, who seems to thrive on spreading tales for excitement, to stop sharing such stories with them. They also emphasize that talking about these problems won't actually solve them and may even create vicious lies. The repeated plea to "let them work it out" suggests a desire for others to resolve their own issues without the interference or gossip of others.
Overall, the lyrics seem to reflect a sense of detachment from the drama and problems of others, as well as a plea for the friend to stop perpetuating gossip and allow people to solve their own issues.
Line by Line Meaning
Tired of hearing cinder stories
I'm tired of listening to stories that have a predictable, happily-ever-after ending
Tales of woe with happy endings
I'm tired of hearing stories about people's troubles that miraculously get resolved in a positive way
Tell me no more
Please refrain from sharing any more of these stories with me
Tired of hearing people's problems
I'm worn out from listening to others' issues
Tired of hearing how they argue
I'm exhausted from hearing about their conflicts and disagreements
How they live doesn't affect me
The way they live their lives has no impact on me
Can't control no one but me
I can only control myself, not others
So if you can let them work it out
If possible, please allow them to resolve their issues on their own
Friends like you come by the dozen
I have many friends like you who enjoy spreading gossip and rumors
Spreading tales for some excitement
You enjoy sharing stories to create some excitement or drama
I'm aware that they have problems
I understand that they are facing difficulties in their lives
Talk won't ease the situation
Engaging in conversations about their problems won't improve the circumstances
Realize that you're creating
You should be aware that you are fabricating
Vicious lies whenever you speak
You are intentionally spreading harmful and false information whenever you talk
So if you can let them work it out
If possible, please refrain from interfering and allow them to resolve their issues on their own
So if you can let them work it out
If possible, please allow them to resolve their issues on their own
So if you can let them work it out
If possible, please allow them to resolve their issues on their own
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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