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 a Big Girl Now
The Stylistics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No more daddy's little girl (Oh, ho, ho, ho)
You're a big girl now
No more daddy's little girl (Oh, ho, ho, ho)
No more pigtails in your hair
No more silly looks with a childish glare
No more doll for you to play
You're a big girl now
No more daddy's little girl (Oh, ho, ho, ho)
You're a big girl now
No more daddy's little girl (Oh, ho, ho, ho)
You can love, girl, if you must
You can kiss, girl, if you must
What you'll see day by day
All the realness in your way
And you're a big girl now
No more daddy's little girl (Oh, ho, ho, ho)
You're a big girl now
No more daddy's little girl (Oh, ho, ho, ho)
(Baby, I love you) Baby, I love you
(Yes, I do) Oh, yes, I do now
(In all my life) In all my life
(You're my dream come true) You're my dream come true
(You're a big girl now) You're a big girl now
(Yes, you are)
(You're my happiness) Shining star
You're a big girl now
No more daddy's little girl (Oh, ho, ho, ho)
You're a big girl now
The Stylistics's song You're a Big Girl Now exposes the inevitable changes that come naturally along with growing up. The repeated phrase "You're a big girl now" is an indication that the person the song is addressing is no longer a child, and therefore cannot act like one anymore. The song's lyrics highlight the do's and don'ts that come with growing up, such as the elimination of pigtails, dolls, childish looks, and foolish talk. Despite these restrictions, the song's narrator still assures her that she's now free to kiss and love as much as she wants.
The singer also declares his love for the lady in question in the song's final verse. It's a lovely representation of how one good thing that remains despite these changes is love. The song emphasizes the fact that as we grow up, we outgrow these childish frivolities while discovering the joys of the real world. These realizations are never easy, but ultimately, it's an essential part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a big girl now
You've grown up and are no longer a child who needs guidance or protection.
No more daddy's little girl (Oh, ho, ho, ho)
You're no longer your father's dependent child, and he can no longer treat you like one.
No more pigtails in your hair
You don't wear childish hairstyles anymore.
No more silly looks with a childish glare
You don't make childish expressions anymore.
No more doll for you to play
You don't play with dolls anymore.
No more dumbness in the things you say
You've become smarter and more articulate, and you don't say dumb things anymore.
You can love, girl, if you must
You're old enough to experience romantic love if you want to.
You can kiss, girl, if you must
You're old enough to engage in romantic physical intimacy if you want to.
What you'll see day by day
As you mature and gain life experiences, you'll encounter reality and learn more about the world.
All the realness in your way
You'll face real and genuine experiences as you mature.
(Baby, I love you) Baby, I love you
The singer expresses their love for the listener.
(Yes, I do) Oh, yes, I do now
The artist confirms their love for the listener.
(In all my life) In all my life
The singer emphasizes the long time frame of their love.
(You're my dream come true) You're my dream come true
The singer expresses that the listener is their ideal romantic partner.
(You're a big girl now) You're a big girl now
The singer acknowledges that the listener has matured and is no longer a child.
(Yes, you are)
A reaffirmation of the listener's maturity.
(You're my happiness) Shining star
The artist indicates that the listener brings them happiness and is special to them.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: LAMAR C BRYANT, ROBERT C DOUGLAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cindylois2407
I miss my dad so much. He died two weeks ago today. He sang this to me at my wedding 22 years ago. I'm so devistated
@tcgmade
Cindy Lois I’m so sorry for your lost merry Xmas to u and yours
@dantrejo1225
Hi
You had a great dad!
@Sheabutter771
My dad song this song to me too when I was little 💖💖
@kieranbradish7184
Love this tune. Remind me of my daughter every day
@marissalopez435
This made me cry. I know how u feel. I'm sorry for loss, may he fly high in the sky watching over u and ur loved ones.
@ciiciisaidit
My dad and I danced to this song at my wedding reception and I cried like daddy’s little girl 😭😍. Love you Dad💙💛🧡❤️💜
@acostagirl1
Same here I used this song for my wedding. I cried so hard when the solo part come on because he sang it to me. It will be one year on April 29th
@MzLBoogie09
I love my dad and one of his good friends for writing this song. Feels good to know that my father use to be a guitarist for them from the VERRY beginning, when they started here in Philly.
@shirleyzimmerman6527
You must have music in your blood!!