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."
My Love
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dress you like a queen
And in a chauffeured limousine
We'd look so fine
But I'm an ordinary guy
And my pockets are empty
Just an ordinary guy
I can't give you anything
But my love, but my love
I can't give you anything
But my love, but my love
I cannot promise you the world
Can't afford any fancy things
I cannot buy you diamond rings
No string of pearls
But my devotion I will give all my life
Just to you girl
My devotion I will give for as long as I live
I can't give you anything
But my love, but my love
The Stylistics' song "Can't Give You Anything But My Love” is about a man who is crazy in love and entirely committed to his partner, but lacks the financial resources to provide an extravagant lifestyle. The lyrics begin with the singer expressing his desire to shower his lover with luxuries if he had the money. However, he is an ordinary person with limited financial resources who cannot afford fancy clothes, jewelry, or cars. He asserts that despite his financial limitations, his love for her is all he can offer, and he is willing to devote himself to her for the rest of his life.
The song implies that material things are irrelevant when it comes to love, and a genuinely devoted partner is priceless. The character emphasises that his love is the fundamental reason for his relationship and assures his partner that she will always have his love, despite their lack of financial resources. The Chorus of the song echoes this sentiment, with the words "I can't give you anything, but my love, but my love” being repeated over and over.
The song's intent, with its memorable melody, beautiful falsetto vocals, and an overall romantic feel, speaks well to the enduring call of love that has resonated with many audiences over the years. Even though it was released in 1975, the song still enjoys occasional airplay on the radio today, proving its timelessness.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had money I'd go wild buy you furs
If I were wealthy, I would go all-in to spoil you with luxurious outfits and accessories
Dress you like a queen
I would treat you like royalty and make you feel special
And in a chauffeured limousine
We'd ride in a fancy car driven by a chauffeur
We'd look so fine
We would appear elegant and sophisticated
But I'm an ordinary guy
I'm just a regular guy
And my pockets are empty
I don't have any money
Just an ordinary guy
I'm just an average person
But I'm yours till I die
I'm completely devoted to you, and I always will be
I can't give you anything
I'm not able to provide you with material things
But my love, but my love
However, I can offer you my love, which is genuine and true
I cannot promise you the world
I can't guarantee you everything you desire
Can't afford any fancy things
I don't have the means to purchase any extravagant items
I cannot buy you diamond rings
I'm unable to buy you expensive jewelry
No string of pearls
I can't get you elegant pearls to adorn yourself with
But my devotion I will give all my life
I will dedicate my life to being devoted to you
Just to you girl
This devotion is exclusively for you
My devotion I will give for as long as I live
This level of devotion will continue for the rest of my life
I can't give you anything
I still cannot provide any tangible items
But my love, but my love
However, my love for you surpasses any material possessions
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: GEORGE DAVID WEISS, HUGO E PERETTI, LUIGI CREATORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@geoffgane7550
Sir,
My deepest sympathy and condolences to you for your loss, truly the most painful loss one can suffer. I also lost my Mother the same year, but 3 days afterwards.
And like you, I am still waiting for a special lady to come into my life. Where are they?
I may not be into Soul, in fact I'm very much into hard rock, prog and metal. But this is REAL brilliant music which is so sadly lacking today.
Thank you, Stylistics, for making EVERYONE feel brand new.
Best wishes, bro', and take care.
@Eyemallfunkedup
Let me tell you a story. It was 1976 and I was in the 6th grade. Back in those days, we had time for things in school. We had birthday parties , recess, and dances. You could buy ice cream after school from the ice cream man that parked right by the school. We walked home together, or alone, without fear. We listened to some of the best music ever made. and we carried books home without backpacks.
On the last day of school, we had a goodbye dance. After all, we were graduating to junior high. I spent pretty much the whole time just looking at my friends dancing to mostly Disco, Funk, and dance type songs. But the very last song played, the only slow song played, was this song. I thought the 6th grade was all over, but the sun shined on me brightly this day.
I was standing by the record player, helping put records back in their jackets, when I felt a tap on the shoulder. It was one of the girls in my class; a tall, hazel eyed, auburn haired, beautiful young lady that pretty much stayed to herself. She wore bell bottoms, and beads around her neck. She wasn't part of my group, or any other group, and never would be. She only spoke with her eyes, and her smile. She's probably a famous doctor now ,or a rocket scientist or something now.
She looked at me straight in the eyes for the first time all year. She didn't say a thing, but I knew what she was saying anyway. The next thing I know, we're locked in an indescribable embrace, and I was nowhere near Earth. This was the first time I'd ever been close enough to a girl to feel her breath, and hair on my face. Yes, boys and girls, back in those days we did this in school.
My arms are around her hips, locked behind her, and her arms are hanging over my shoulders. Her long auburn hair is touching the tops of my hands, and her cheek is touching mine. She 's not wearing perfume, but she smells like I imagine heaven does. Her hair is touching the front of my face, and I can barely hear the music now.
We keep this embrace, and move slowly back and forth, "my love...I'll never find the words, my love". The song seems to last forever, and I feel like my entire soul is inside of her. I feel like I haven't taken a single breath. My heart melts into hers, like vanilla ice cream over a cone on a hot day...until it's over...way too soon.
I remember this day like it just happened yesterday. Every time I hear this song, it takes me back right to that day. The colors, the emotions, the smells, the breath, the hair touching my face...the escaping soul...my melted heart. As long as I've lived, and loved, I've never been able to recapture how I felt that day. My entire body, buzzing, and my mind scattered everywhere like sun rays coming through a cloud. I never saw her again.
Just wanted to say thanks to the Stylistics.
@geezitscold
It was the summer of 74..I was 15 working as a dish washer in the back kitchen of a very busy restaurant..I'd work sometimes until 3am..it was gruling..but the radio playing this song and others at that time helped me thru the long hours..now 65 it takes me back to my young life,those memories are priceless..I don't understand why music has changed so radically different..send me back to that time period..I'd be so happy
@jonbuehler2429
You called it perfectly, I am two years ahead of ya!
@user-hk4cz5ig3j
The best music in the 70s. ❤
@madubukomadubuko1719
I’m 82 and this song still sends me into a trance. Love
@sharonwarthen8026
Oldie BUT Goodie
@user-vf5bv6vo4b
And now you have 84 likes!
@monicatannehill9241
When I was 19 I called the radio station and dedicated this to my mom. When my mom had just weeks left I held her in my arms while they played this song for us in church. I lost her in January. This is my first mother's day without her....😭😭😭
@maryziegler8000
God bless you
@anthonyrodriguez3355
Stay strong bro
@ruthielee5294
I am so sorry
😢