THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

765-The Stylistics-You Make Me Feel Brand New.

1974-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 1.56. Buy one, get one free. The only hit of The Stylistics to feature two lead vocalists, the magical falsetto of Russell Thompkins Jr., and a rare outing for the baritone of Airrion Love.

The Stylistics were formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, in 1968 by the coming together of two local bands,’The Percussions,’ from where came James Dunn, and Herb Murrell, and ‘The Monarchs,’ from where came Russell Thompkins Jr., James Smith, and Airrion Love. At the time of writing The Stylistics remain active as a quartet, with only Airrion Love, and Herb Murrell remaining from the original line up. In total there have been 10 different members come and go over the years.

The Stylistics released their debut single ‘You’re a Big Girl Now’ in 1970, on the ‘Sebring’ record label, and after it had become a regional hit, it was picked up by ‘Avco Records,’ who signed The Stylistics to their first major contract. ‘Avco Records’ then approached the already proven music producer Thom Bell (see also best songs 183) to work with the group, initially Bell was not impressed, but agreed to produce the group, as he strongly believed in the potential of The Stylistics lead singer Russell Thomkins Jr. Thom Bell, along with his working partner Linda Creed, (1948-1996) (see also best songs 183) wrote many of the early Stylistics hits including ‘Betcha by Golly Wow,’ (1972) and ‘Rockin’ Roll Baby’ (1973.) Thom Bell parted with The Stylistics in 1974, and when ‘Avco Records’ transitioned in to ‘H&L Records’ The Stylistics the began working alongside Van McCoy, (1940-1979) (see also best songs 690) and that labels founders and songwriters Hugo Peretti, (1916-1986) and Luigi Creatore (1921-2015) (see also best songs 194.) With declining sales The Stylistics moved to the ‘Philadelphia International Records’ subsidiary label, ‘TSOP Records’ in 1980, where they were briefly re-untied with Thom Bell. This was soon followed by the departure of both James Dunn, and James Smith, and the recruiting of a new member Raymond Johnson, who stayed with the group until 1985. Russell Thompkins Jr. remained with the group until 2000, and then released a solo Album in 2002, before starting a new group ‘Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics,’ in 2004, who at the time of writing still tour, in competition with The Stylistics.

The discography of The Stylistics includes 23 studio Albums released between 1971-2008, and 50 singles issued between 1971-1992, there are also 11 official compilation Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 10 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’ peaking the highest at Number 2, while in the UK they have charted within the top 40 on 16 occasions, with ‘Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love’) reaching Number 1 in 1975.

‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’ was co-written by Thom Bell, (music) and Linda Creed, (lyrics) with the production being by Bell. The song had first appeared on The Stylistics third studio Album ‘Rockin’ Roll Baby,’ from November 1973, but later after being released as a single, and becoming a major hit, it also appeared on The Stylistics fourth studio Album ‘Let’s Put It All Together,’ from May 1974. Linda Creed was born on December 6th, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, she died of breast cancer on April 10th, 1986, at the age of 37. As well as co-writing many of the early hits of The Stylistics, Linda Creed is best remembered for co-writing with Michael Masser, (1941-2015) (see also best songs 900) the song ‘The Greatest Love of All,’ for the 1977 film ‘The Greatest,’ which is a biopic of the boxer Muhammad Ali. The song was originally recorded by George Benson in 1977, and most notably covered by Whitney Houston in 1985. Linda Creed wrote the lyrics while struggling with breast cancer, and the words describe her feelings about coping with the great challenges that one must face in life.

The lyrics for ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’ were also written from a personal point of view by Linda Creed. She wrote the words at the same time as she had just become engaged to be married, she has said,’I was engaged and giddy with love. I was so happy while I was writing that song. Each line I was jumping up and down saying ‘I love it.”

‘Only you cared when I needed a friend, believed in me through thick and thin. This song is for you, filled with gratitude and love. God bless you, you make me feel brand new.’