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."
Let
The Stylistics Lyrics
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My arms are meant to hold you
Your arms and my arms
What more is there to say
Let's put it all together
Let's put it all together
Let's put it all together
Your lips can thrill me just touching my cheek
My lips are meant to kiss you
Your lips and my lips
What more is there to say
Let's put it all together
Let's put it all together
Let's put it all together
Girl, 'cause lovin'is there is
Love like this never happened before
Perfect and true
Day by day we been feeling it more
You love me (you love me) and I love you
Let's put it all together
Let's put it all together
Let's put it all together
Girl
, 'cause lovin'is there is
The lyrics of The Stylistics' "Let's Put It All Together" convey a deep sense of love and affection. They are both romantic and practical, emphasizing the physical aspects of the couple's relationship, but also the deeper emotional connection that binds them together. The opening lines describe the physical comfort of being wrapped in each other's arms, and the subsequent lines suggest that there is an innate sense of belonging between the two of them.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need for the couple to unite completely, to bring together all the elements of their relationship into one unified whole. The repetition of the phrase "Let's put it all together" reinforces this idea, suggesting that they need to work together to make their love even stronger. The verses continue to explore the physical and emotional aspects of the couple's relationship, highlighting the ways in which they complement and complete each other.
Overall, "Let's Put It All Together" is a beautiful love song that celebrates the power of romantic connection, and the ways in which we can find completeness and contentment in the arms of someone we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Your arms around me are tender and warm
When you hold me, it feels like you care for me deeply and with genuine warmth.
My arms are meant to hold you
When I hold you, I want you to feel loved and protected by me.
Your arms and my arms
Together our arms symbolize the embrace of our love and commitment to each other.
What more is there to say
Our love is so strong and pure that no words can fully express it. Actions speak louder than words.
Let's put it all together
Let's bind our love together in a way that will last forever.
Girl, 'cause lovin'is there is
Because there is nothing more important than our love for each other.
Your lips can thrill me just touching my cheek
Your touch alone can ignite a spark of passion within me, leaving me feeling deeply enamored of you.
My lips are meant to kiss you
When I kiss you, it's a physical way to show you my deep love and fondness for you.
Your lips and my lips
Our lips symbolize the intimate connection we share with each other, one that is both physical and emotional.
Love like this never happened before
Our love is unique and special, unlike any love that has come before us.
Perfect and true
Our love is perfect and honest, built on trust and deep affection.
Day by day we been feeling it more
Every day our connection deepens, our love growing stronger as time passes.
You love me (you love me) and I love you
Our love is a two-way street, with both of us deeply devoted to each other.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: GEORGE DAVID WEISS, HUGO PERETTI, LUIGI CREATORE
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