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."
You're As Right As Rain
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
Softer than a flower, sweet as marmalade
You're made that way
Every man has a secret dream
Quiet thoughts trap his inner need
Of the things he's hiding from
Sometimes it's a childish game
We play but I don't feel that way
'Cause you're as right as rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
Softer than a flower, sweet as marmalade
You're made that way
As a boy I learned how to hide
All too well how to keep inside
The way I felt about a girl
How to keep her in my world
Strange how love can change your head
You made me see I've been misled
'Cause you're as right as rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
Softer than a flower, sweet as marmalade
You're as right as rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
Softer than a flower, sweet as marmalade
You're as right as rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
The Stylistics's song "You're As Right As Rain" is a love ballad that speaks about the affection and appreciation that the singer has for his partner. The song opens with the singer comparing his lover's perfection to the calming and refreshing effects of a summer shower. He goes on to describe her as sweet as marmalade and acknowledges that her kindness is innate in her very being.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's past, where he learned to keep his emotions hidden and his feelings guarded. The singer thanks his lover for helping him open up and be vulnerable, helping him realize that he had been misled. The chorus repeats the admiration that the singer feels for his lover's gentleness and likening it to the soothing qualities of a summer shower.
The song is a beautiful expression of love, appreciation, and gratitude for a partner who has helped the singer open up emotionally. It speaks of the importance of vulnerability in a relationship, and the benefits of having a partner who can help us open up and express ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
You're as right as rain
You are perfect, just like the clarity and comfort that comes with rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You are relaxed and soothing, like a light rain shower on a warm summer day
Softer than a flower, sweet as marmalade
You are gentle and tender, like the petals of a flower, and taste as pleasant as a sweet spread made from fruit and sugar
You're made that way
It's just your nature to be this perfect and lovely
Every man has a secret dream
All men harbor desires they don't express openly
Quiet thoughts trap his inner need
These thoughts are often kept to oneself and create an internal longing
To open and tell someone
The man wants to confide his hidden feelings
Of the things he's hiding from
These things are secrets and have been kept hidden from others
Sometimes it's a childish game
Hiding feelings can sometimes feel like a game, even if it is not a mature approach
We play but I don't feel that way
The artist acknowledges that his hiding of feelings is not something he finds enjoyable
As a boy I learned how to hide
The singer became good at keeping his feelings concealed during childhood
All too well how to keep inside
This skill of hiding emotions was learned to an excessive degree
The way I felt about a girl
The singer had romantic feelings for a girl
How to keep her in my world
He knew how to make sure she remained present in his life
Strange how love can change your head
The singer is noting how intense emotions, specifically love, can affect your thought processes
You made me see I've been misled
The subject of the song, likely a romantic partner, has helped the artist realize they were wrong in their approach to relationships and expressing their feelings
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LINDA CREED, THOM BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lady Jane
Lyrics:
You're as right as rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
Softer than a flower, sweet as marmalade
You're made that way
Every man has a secret dream
Quiet thoughts trap his inner need
To open and tell someone
Of the things he's hiding from
Sometimes it's a childish game
We play but I don't feel that way
'Cause you're as right as rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
Softer than a flower, sweet as marmalade
You're made that way
As a boy I learned how to hide
All too well how to keep inside
The way I felt about a girl
How to keep her in my world
Strange how love can change your head
You made me see I've been misled
'Cause you're as right as rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
Softer than a flower, sweet as marmalade
You're as right as rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
Softer than a flower, sweet as marmalade
You're as right as rain
Mellow as a shower on a summer's day
You're as right as rain
Shell Drawls
I remember my mommy & daddy playing this song...My sister was 8, I was 7...Rolling in my daddy's "62" CHEVY IMPALA.... Which he still has today.....💯💙
Debra Dorsey
Wow, wonderful car and wonderful memories🌹
Eric Keeth
That’s a great memory ❤
Gordon Johnson
Thank God For The Memories
mackfielder
It's an absolute crime that a song as beautiful as this didn't become number 1.
Leroy Caver jr
it makes a good wedding song
Derek Carter
Concurred
Robin White
My favorites by stylistics
Howie t
The writer is Jamaican
Hal N
This song has everything!!! Haunting piano, silky smooth violins, ethereal french horns and lighter than air vocals. The essence of beautiful music that reaches the soul!!!