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."
Na Na Is the Saddest Word
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na is the saddest word I ever heard
Baby, don't say it, please, don't say it
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na is the surest way to break my heart
Baby, don't do it, please, don't do it
If I hurt you, baby, if I told you lies
Forgive me, I apologize
Don't you know that I love you so?
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na is the saddest word I ever heard
Baby, don't say it, please, don't say it
Please, don't go
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(Na, na, na, na)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(Na, na, na, na)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(Na, na, na, na)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(Na, na, na, na)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(Na, na, na, na)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
The Stylistics’ “Na Na Is the Saddest Word” is a poignant song about heartbreak and the power of words to cause pain. The na-na-na refrain is used here as a sort of negative chorus, with the saddest possible message repeating throughout the song. The use of na-na-na as a stand-in for an actual word (presumably “goodbye”) is clever because it emphasizes the way the pain of a breakup can be so all-consuming that even a simple phrase can feel devastating.
The song is directed at someone who is on the brink of leaving, with the singer begging them not to say the “na-na” that will end their relationship. The lyrics suggest that the singer has done something wrong to hurt their partner, but they are willing to make it right if it means they can stay together. The chorus emphasizes that there is no sadder message than the one conveyed by “na-na,” making it clear just how much the singer has invested in their relationship.
Overall, “Na Na Is the Saddest Word” is a deeply emotional song that emphasizes the power of language to convey both love and heartbreak. Its use of a simple refrain and a catchy melody make it a memorable track that is sure to resonate with anyone who has gone through a painful breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Repetition of the sound 'na na' used to express sadness
Na, na is the saddest word I ever heard
The phrase 'na na' is a very sorrowful expression
Baby, don't say it, please, don't say it
Please don't use the phrase 'na na' as it is too sad to hear
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Repeating the expression of sadness
Na, na is the surest way to break my heart
Using 'na na' is the easiest way to cause me emotional pain
Baby, don't do it, please, don't do it
Please don't use the phrase 'na na' as it will hurt me
If I hurt you, baby, if I told you lies
If I ever caused you harm or was untrue to you
Forgive me, I apologize
Please forgive me, I'm sorry
Don't you know that I love you so?
Don't you understand how much I love you?
Please, don't go
Please don't leave me
(Na, na, na, na)
Repetition of the sad expression 'na na'
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: GEORGE DAVID WEISS, HUGO PERETTI, LUIGI CREATORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@margaretbrown2671
Just been to see this lovely group at The Edge, Wigan, this evening and wept tears of joy and nostalgia to most of the songs they sang. I was right back in the 70's when they produced many of their hits and it was bittersweet. Memories came flooding back of my first love and this group was one of our favourites. Thank you for recreating many happy memories for me this evening. Hope to see you again, God bless you. 🙏🤗🌹xx
@omanmc
Stylistics were so fabulous in the 1970s
@marvinbuitrago8301
another beautifull song by these powerfull guys that will always be in my ❤.
@danielpikari5986
Pure class
@HenrivanBree-ub9ym
❤❤❤❤such a beautiful song. Greetings from Holland
@Steve-yo4ld
A time if you had an "AM Radio" you were Blessed! Wish we could go back to those innocent and simpler times!!😢💕
@ollilaribum2210
So beautiful Song
@roxetteleabres1940
The songs of my youth.... brings back a lot of memories !
@paulbennett2981
🥺
@user-ze5yx8gp9u
As my teen time, I love it till now.