The Stylistics - People Make The World Go Round.

The early 70's AM radio days of my childhood were verily filled with the sounds of sweet Philly soul. In the first few years when I had a radio glued to my ear -- roundabout 1972 to 1974 -- there was hardly an edition of the Top 10 that didn't include something fine from Philly, or at least something influenced by those sounds. One of the groups that rest securely in my memory is the Stylistics.
'You Are Everything' and 'You Make Me Feel Brand New' were both HUGE records, crossing over as major pop hits, led by the trademark falsetto of Russell Thompkins Jr. Ironically enough, I was oblivious to today's selection (which was a Top 40 hit) until I heard it on the soundtrack of Spike Lee's 'Crooklyn', and promptly fell in love with it.
Written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed 'People Make the World Go Round' -- which appeared on the Stylistics debut LP in 1972 -- is a classic of socially conscious soul, with a twist.
The songs lyrics point fingers at opposite ends of the economic spectrum, taking shots at labor unions (trash collectors and bus drivers in particular) and moving on to attack Wall Street and cigar chomping moguls who blame their troubles on hippies. The chorus:

But that's what makes the world go `round
The up and down, the carousel
Changing people, they'll go around
Go underground, young man
People make the world go `round

..seems to take a kind of resigned, "it takes all kinds" tack, but then drops in the surprising suggestion to "Go underground, young man".
While the vast majority of those caught up in the idealistic movements of the 60's had given up dabbling in serious pursuits, moving from dilettante activism to get lost in a sea of new agery, or throwing away all the trappings of the Aquarian Age to assimilate entirely into suburbia, there were those, no longer willing to settle for non-violent protest, turned to setting bombs and robbing armored cars.
Though an initial reading of the lyrics suggests a tone of resignation, that one line of the chorus points in another direction entirely, giving the song a sharp edge that stands in stark contrast to the musical background.
The arrangement by Thom Bell sounds like the product of a summit meeting between Burt Bacharach and Norman Whitfield. The opening of the record, with blowing wind and tinkling wind chimes, is suddenly interrupted by deep, resonant electric piano chords and sweeping strings. The hiss of a hi-hat trades off with marimba as Thompkins begins the verse, all of it accented with a horn chart that sounds as if it were lifted from a late 60's Bacharach session.
It really is a singularly unusual record, both for the times, and for the Stylistics discography.
If the song is new to you, I hope you dig it.
If you already know it, I hope you dig hearing it again.

http://funky16corners.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/stylistics-people-make-the-wor...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Stylistics
• 1970s
• Soul
• Disco

[qqrk1372]

DAMN!!! This was when music was MUSIC! Not only were they talented singers and musicians they also had something to say. Not like the BS that's all over the radio today.

[2ventin2011]

THOSE ARE MY GUYS FROM THE SEVENTIES.  THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER ERA OF GOOD MUSIC IN THIS LIFETIME. LOVE THE VIDEO, TOO!

[datraass]

BIG, BIG CHUNE!!! BRAP!

[Iknewb4udid]

Man, you are SO right about that Philly sound!!! TSOP!!! That's where the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame SHOULD be, not... Cleveland??? Come on, man! Cleveland?? Did Cleveland produce Fabain? Teddy Pendergast? Hall & Oates? Patty LaBelle? Todd Rundgren? And SO, SO many more!!!!

[thebigsky4]

This is lovely! I had the pleasure of seeing them in Windsor (UK) in the mid eighties... Fantastic <3

[therealraybaby]

#46(Tie)

[amgirl1956]

This my favorite syslistics song too. I remember listening to my Detroit radio station back in the summer of 1972. I was in highschool between 9th and 10th grade.  I found out that this is Philly Mo-town. I have been to Philly too. I love 70's Mo-Town and 70's Soul music.

[The90slady]

This is my favorite Stylistics song. Love it!

[john1917ful]

man this the really good day when u can feel for some one and play this sound

[mikeygami]

Love it love it love it!

[conway9226]

Fill your mind with positive thoughts. Fill your life with positive persons. Fill your spirit with positive spirits and love and pamper you body. Its the only one you have got so treat it positively and it will love you for this. Remember a positive environment is better than this worlds riches. Do positive, be positive and positive things will happen to you. Love.... Peace....

[ronwise1manband]

This song is a very good reminder of how far we are from being as one people,you know one nation under ah groove...........Maybe i should cover it.