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."
Wonder Woman
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew that you'd be
The only girl for me
The first time ever I touched to you
I felt such a thrill
I know I always will
A miracle came my way
Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman, you will never know
How wonderful you are to me
Wonder Woman, you will never know
How wonderful you are to me
The first time ever I kissed you
And kissed you again
I fell in love right then
The first time ever I laid there
In your warm embrace
I knew I found my place
And if you could hear me pray
You would hear me say
and fade out]
The Stylistics' song "Wonder Woman" is a passionate expression of love and admiration for a woman who is seen as nothing less than a superhero. The song speaks to the very first time the singer saw this woman and how he felt an instant connection to her. He is convinced that she is the only girl for him, and the first time they touched and kissed, he felt a special kind of thrill that he knows he will always cherish.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's deep appreciation for this woman: "Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman, you will never know how wonderful you are to me." He sees her as a miracle that has come into his life, and he is grateful for her presence. As the song progresses, he shares more intimate moments with her, like the first time he lay in her warm embrace, and how he knew he had found his place.
Overall, "Wonder Woman" by The Stylistics is a beautiful tribute to a woman who has captured the singer's heart and soul. It is a romantic and soulful song that celebrates the wonder and beauty of a strong and independent woman.
Line by Line Meaning
The first time ever I saw you
From the moment I laid eyes on you for the first time
I knew that you'd be
I had a strong feeling that you were going to be
The only girl for me
The one I will forever love and cherish
The first time ever I touched to you
The moment I first made contact with you
I felt such a thrill
I was overcome with excitement and emotion
I know I always will
I am confident that this feeling will never fade
A miracle came my way
Something amazing happened to me
And that's why I say
That's the reason why I'm telling you
Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman
You are a wonderful woman
Wonder Woman, you will never know
There is no way for you to truly understand
How wonderful you are to me
How much I admire and appreciate you
The first time ever I kissed you
When our lips first met
And kissed you again
And I did it again
I fell in love right then
That's when I knew I was in love with you
The first time ever I laid there
When I was lying down with you
In your warm embrace
In your loving arms
I knew I found my place
I felt like I belonged there
And if you could hear me pray
If I could express my wishes
You would hear me say
I would tell you
Writer(s): Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss, Hugo E. Peretti
Contributed by London J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sandra Lucia De Oliveira
BEAUTIFUL VOICE!👏👏👏👏👏👏❤😍
Donna Smith
I love the Stylistics. Listen them all the time.
DAIANE SOARES
AMOOOO
Diane Thurston
Y'all got that smooth voice sounds good to me thank, guys, keep on sangin
Laura Jones
This song Is only 4 a special person who I hold dear 2 my soul” I’m thinking about him now” here’s 2 u!! If ur listening. Please know who u are.
Edgard Ascoli
TH U!!!
STYLIS FOREVER
STYLIS ALL DAY
STYLIS EACH HOUR
STYLIS TILL SLEEPING
🏆🎖🎉🎊
& GOOD TIMES = LISTEN
STYLIS FOREVER BABY
🎶🎵🎼🎹🎸🎷🎻🎺📱
Paula Mannings
Kool97fm jamaica brought me here. Large up unnu self !!!! All the hits have gone there! Mi nah joke