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."
Starvin' For Love
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give A Little Love For Love
Give A Little Love For Love the Stylistics
(Maurice Starr michael Jonzun)
"Some Things Never Change" Streetwise
Little girl, what's on your mind
Am I wasting my time
You seem to look so sad whenever I'm around
You've got to give a little love
Take a little love
Give a little love for love
Give a little love, take a little love
Give a little love for love
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Give a little love for love love
Now girl, tell me what's wrong
Are you leading me on
It used to be so sweet, just you and me
Don't tell me that you're letting me down
You've got to give a little love
Take a little love
Give a little love for love
Give a little love, take a little love
Give a little love for love
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Give a little love for love love
It used to be so sweet, just you and me
Don't tell me that you're letting me down
You've got to give a little love
Take a little love
Give a little love for love
Give a little love, take a little love
Give a little love for love
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Give a little love for love love
It used to be so sweet, just you and me
Don't tell me that you're letting me down
You've got to give a little love
Take a little love
Give a little love for love
Give a little love, take a little love
Give a little love for love
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Give a little love for love
You've got to give a little love
Take a little love
(Got to give a little love for love)
Give a little love for love
Give a little love, take a little love
(I love you) Give a little love for love
(And I always will) Baby, give a little love
Take a little love
(You've) Give a little love for love
(Got to give a little love
Just a little bit of love you've)
You've got to give a little love
Take a little love
(Got to give a little love for love)
Give a little love for love
Give a little love, take a little love
(I love you) Give a little love for love
(And I always will) Baby, give a little love
Take a little love
(You've) Give a little love for love
(Got to give a little love
Just a little bit of love you've)
You've got to give a little love
Take a little love
The lyrics to The Stylistics' song "Starvin' For Love" convey the theme of longing and dissatisfaction in a relationship. The song addresses a little girl, presumably the singer's love interest, who appears sad whenever the singer is around. The singer questions if he is wasting his time and if he is letting her down.
The repeated phrase "You've got to give a little love, take a little love, give a little love for love" suggests a plea for reciprocation in the relationship. The singer is asking for both emotional and physical affection, emphasizing the need for mutual effort and investment. The concept of giving and taking reflects the idea that relationships require a balance of effort from both parties.
In the second verse, the singer asks the girl what is wrong and if she is leading him on. He reminisces about how things used to be sweet between them, emphasizing the contrast with the current state of the relationship. The mention of "just you and me" hints at a desire for simplicity and a return to the initial happiness they shared.
Throughout the lyrics, the singer expresses his frustration with the girl potentially letting him down. He believes that in order for the relationship to thrive, both parties need to offer love and support. The repetition of the lines reinforces the urgency and importance of this message.
Overall, "Starvin' For Love" explores the themes of longing, uncertainty, and the need for reciprocity in a relationship. It portrays the desire for mutual effort and emotional investment to sustain a fulfilling and lasting connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Little girl, what's on your mind
Young woman, what are your thoughts and concerns?
Am I wasting my time
Am I investing my time in vain?
You seem to look so sad whenever I'm around
I notice a sadness in your expression whenever I am present
Tell me am I letting you down
Please inform me if I am failing to meet your expectations
You've got to give a little love
It is necessary for you to show some affection
Take a little love
Accept and receive love from others
Give a little love for love
Express affection as an exchange for love
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Darling, offer your love and also accept love in return
Give a little love for love love
Demonstrate love as an act of reciprocity
Now girl, tell me what's wrong
Now, my dear, please explain your troubles
Are you leading me on
Are you deceiving me or giving false hope?
It used to be so sweet, just you and me
Our relationship used to be delightful, only the two of us
Don't tell me that you're letting me down
Please refrain from informing me that you are disappointing me
You've got to give a little love
It is essential for you to express affection
Take a little love
Accept and receive love from others
Give a little love for love
Show affection in return for love
Give a little love, take a little love
Exchange love between ourselves
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Honey, offer your love and also accept love in return
Give a little love for love love
Demonstrate love as an act of reciprocity
It used to be so sweet, just you and me
Our relationship used to be delightful, only the two of us
Don't tell me that you're letting me down
Please refrain from informing me that you are disappointing me
You've got to give a little love
It is vital for you to express affection
Take a little love
Accept and receive love from others
Give a little love for love
Express affection as an exchange for love
Give a little love, take a little love
Exchange love between ourselves
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Darling, offer your love and also accept love in return
Give a little love for love love
Demonstrate love as an act of reciprocity
It used to be so sweet, just you and me
Our relationship used to be delightful, only the two of us
Don't tell me that you're letting me down
Please refrain from informing me that you are disappointing me
You've got to give a little love
It is necessary for you to show some affection
Take a little love
Accept and receive love from others
Give a little love for love
Express affection as an exchange for love
Give a little love, take a little love
Exchange love between ourselves
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Darling, offer your love and also accept love in return
Give a little love for love
Express affection as an exchange for love
You've got to give a little love
It is essential for you to show some affection
Take a little love
Accept and receive love from others
Give a little love for love
Express affection as an exchange for love
Give a little love, take a little love
Exchange love between ourselves
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Darling, offer your love and also accept love in return
Give a little love for love
Express affection as an exchange for love
You've got to give a little love
It is necessary for you to show some affection
Take a little love
Accept and receive love from others
Give a little love for love
Express affection as an exchange for love
Give a little love, take a little love
Exchange love between ourselves
Baby, give a little love, take a little love
Honey, offer your love and also accept love in return
Give a little love for love
Express affection as an exchange for love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
I PURPLE YOU안녕하세요!
I love this song 💓🎶
brasileiro do Vale
Clássico 💓
Allie🦋
They don't make music 🎵 like this no more I wasn't even born in this time ♥️☮️ but it sounds way better than today
Ivan Lozada
💕💕🎵🎶
Bruce Butler
🔥