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."
Rockin` Roll Baby
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Papa's sure proud of his little bitty rockin' roll baby
Singin' at the age of two
He can hardly talk but he sure knows how to sing the blues
Little Joe never sings out of tune
Always in key, he's a soulful little rockin' roll baby
Papa loves the way you do
He was born in a theater in Bluefield, West Virginia
His ma and I were travelin' on the road
I worked hard all that summer as a fill-in for the drummer
One-night stands weren't easy for little Joe
Bought a new house in Beverly hills
Papa made it big and he did it for his rockin' roll baby
A little bit of rhythm and blues
Got a funky walk in his little orthopedic shoes
He was born in a theater in Bluefield, West Virginia
His ma and I were travelin' on the road
I worked hard all that summer as a fill-in for the drummer
One-night stands weren't easy for little Joe
The Stylistics' song "Rockin' Roll Baby" is a heart-warming ode to a father's love and admiration for his son's musical talents. The song starts by describing the boy's cute appearance with his Tootsie roll soul and doodle-white shoes. The father is very proud of his little boy who started singing at the tender age of two. The boy may not be able to speak clearly, but he can surely sing the blues. The song then progresses to talk about the boy's musical abilities. The father is amazed that the boy never sings out of tune and is always in key, which is what makes him a soulful rock and roll baby. The father is grateful for the way his son sings and has never heard a boy sing in that way before.
The second verse of the song talks about the boy's birthplace in West Virginia, where he was born in a theater. The father and mother were traveling on the road, and the father was working hard as a substitute drummer all summer. One-night stands were challenging for the boy. The third verse glorifies how the boy's father made it big and bought a house in Beverly Hills, all for his "rock and roll baby." The father is thrilled that his son has a little bit of rhythm and blues, and is even proud of his "funky walk" in his orthopedic shoes.
Line by Line Meaning
Tootsie roll soul and doodle-white shoes
He's got a soulful vibe and wears bright white shoes.
Papa's sure proud of his little bitty rockin' roll baby
Dad is so proud of his baby who loves rock and roll.
Singin' at the age of two
He sings even though he's barely able to talk.
He can hardly talk but he sure knows how to sing the blues
He knows how to sing with so much passion, despite not being able to speak well.
Little Joe never sings out of tune
Little Joe has perfect pitch and always sings on key.
Always in key, he's a soulful little rockin' roll baby
He's a natural singer with a soulful tone.
Papa loves the way you do
Dad loves how little Joe sings.
Never heard a boy sing the way my little Joey do
Little Joe's vocal style is unique and special to his dad.
He was born in a theater in Bluefield, West Virginia
Little Joe was born in a theatre located in West Virginia's Bluefield city.
His ma and I were travelin' on the road
While Little Joe's mother and I were on tour.
I worked hard all that summer as a fill-in for the drummer
I worked tirelessly that summer as the temporary drummer.
One-night stands weren't easy for little Joe
It was difficult for Little Joe to deal with constantly being on the road.
Bought a new house in Beverly hills
The family acquired a new home in Beverly Hills.
Papa made it big and he did it for his rockin' roll baby
Dad's success was driven by his love for his rocking little baby.
A little bit of rhythm and blues
Little Joe enjoys mixing rhythm and blues in his music.
Got a funky walk in his little orthopedic shoes
He's got a cool swagger, even in his special orthopedic footwear.
Lyrics Ā© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LINDA CREED, LINDA DIANE CREED, THOM BELL, THOMAS RANDOLPH BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@susiebell8496
The great Stylistics!! I am so thankful to have lived during a time when the best music was out there. One of the many greatest R & B groups ever!!
@guygonzalez3893
Russell Thompkins is fabulous!! Stylistics were underrated! Had great songs!! At a time that had great music in that era, never to be again!!!
@richardmorris7063
Agreed,every generation thinks there's is best,we got the Proof here....
@mimibarn
the ultimate feel good group
@jonsumisu9016
Guy Gonzalez - I hear you buddy. I don't know how people today can pay their hard earned money for the trash that is purported to be music. In those days I couldn't wait for the next Stylistic LP to come out.
@kennyhuskisson2684
@@mimibarn Oh yes, The Stylistics & The Spinners we're the shit back in the 70s!!šāļø
@davidhubbert9445
It has to said folks you'll not hear music of this quality ever again the brilliant stylistics blessed our hearts with these songs.
@ClarenceW.D.
An uplifting song about a fatherās love for his disadvantaged little boy. š
@attygarland6909
Disadvantaged ??? Sounds like he's pretty "advantaged" to me š
@kwameaboagye121
The Stylistics are so phenomenal, because their classics is so special to me. Brother Russell Tompkins is the man with his powerful and beautiful voice. Big up to Brother Russell and the rest of our brothers in the group.