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."
Sad Tomorrows
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No more tears, or sorrow, no more pain
Gone all the fears who can explain
All we shared we share no more
With no last goodbye you went away
There was so much more we had to say
In my heart you'll always be
Forever there a part of me
Sad tomorrows
I can't go on life just won't be the same without you
With each memory that fills my heart
Each thought keeps you so near although we're apart
Its so hard to just let you go thinking of you
I miss you so
Sad tomorrows
Since you've gone all that's left for me
Sad tomorrows (sad tomorrows)
I can't go on life just won't be the same without you
I know in time the pain we fade away
but love will always stay and life will still go on
with thoughts of you to keep me strong
Sad tomorrows
The Stylistics's song "Sad Tomorrows" is a poignant reflection on the aftermath of a breakup or the loss of a loved one. The song highlights the pain and grieving process one goes through after experiencing such a significant loss. The lyrics speak of the singer's deep sense of loss and confusion at the sudden departure of someone close to them. The song's opening lines, "No more tears or sorrow, no more pain / Gone are all the fears who can explain," suggest that the singer is attempting to reconcile their emotions.
As the song progresses, the singer shares their realization that they will never again share in the experiences they once had with their loved one. The lines "All we shared we share no more / It's gonna be hard to close that door" emphasize the finality of the loss. The singer also notes that they were not able to properly say goodbye, suggesting that the loss was unexpected or sudden. The lines "With no last goodbye you went away / There was so much more we had to say" convey a sense of regret and longing.
The song's theme of bittersweet remembrance is also evident in its chorus: "Sad tomorrows / I can't go on, life just won't be the same without you." The singer is unable to move forward and accept the loss, as they are constantly reminded of their loved one through memories and thoughts. The lines "Each thought keeps you so near although we're apart / It's so hard to just let you go thinking of you" suggest that the singer is struggling to come to terms with their loss and may be stuck in the grieving process.
Overall, "Sad Tomorrows" is a moving song that reflects the universal pain of loss and the difficulties associated with moving forward after experiencing such a loss.
Line by Line Meaning
No more tears, or sorrow, no more pain
All the negative emotions have gone away with your departure
Gone all the fears who can explain
The reasons behind our fears have vanished with you leaving
All we shared we share no more
All the things that we used to share, we won't be able to anymore
It gonna be hard to close that door
It'll be tough to come to terms with the fact that we are no longer together
With no last goodbye you went away
You left without saying a proper goodbye
There was so much more we had to say
We didn't get a chance to express all that we wanted to
In my heart you'll always be
You'll always hold a special place in my heart
Forever there a part of me
You have contributed to shaping me into who I am, and that will never change
Sad tomorrows
A future without you is bleak and sorrowful
I can't go on life just won't be the same without you
My life won't be complete without you, and it's hard to envision moving forward without you in it
With each memory that fills my heart
All the memories that come flooding back serve as a constant reminder of what we had
Each thought keeps you so near although we're apart
Even though we are separated, thoughts of you keep you close to me
Its so hard to just let you go thinking of you
It's difficult to move on when thoughts of you consume me
I miss you so
Your absence is felt deeply, and I long for you to come back
Since you've gone all that's left for me
You were my everything, and now that you're gone, I have nothing
I know in time the pain we fade away
Although the pain is overwhelming now, it will eventually subside with time
but love will always stay and life will still go on
The love we had for each other will endure, and life will continue to move forward
with thoughts of you to keep me strong
Memories of you will serve as a source of strength for me as I navigate life without you
Sad tomorrows
The future without you is still bleak and full of sorrow
Contributed by Andrew P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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