The Stylistics had a bunch of hits in the ’70’s, primarily ballads that featured the falsetto of lead singer Russell Thompkins Jr. and the production of Thom Bell. They had twelve straight records reach the Top Ten on the R&B chart in the early ’70’s, including "Betcha By Golly, Wow." Its original title was "Keep Growing Strong" when Bell and Linda Creed wrote it for Connie Stevens, who recorded it in 1970, but it failed to chart. The Stylistics recorded it in 1971 for their eponymous debut album, and it was released as a single in February 1972. It rose to #3 on the Hot 100, #2 on the R&B chart, and #7 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It earned a Gold record for selling a million records. Billboard‘s year-end chart placed it at #18.
The Sound of One Hand Typing 
It is good to see the videos to these songs and the sound is clear enough to make out the lyrics.
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Much different than trying to hear through a 2″ speaker on a radio, isn’t it?
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I loved these groups. And the voices are so beautiful.
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They were well-trained, many of them at church, and worked well together. And it was the way they were dressed and their dance moves that really added a lot of the performance. They were entertainers, with the kind of class that you don’t see much anymore.
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That is so true!
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Great song, great group awful fashion!đź’ś
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Fashionable then but yucky now.
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Awful? That was the thing in those days…
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Yes I was speaking as I see now, it was great big it’s day đź’ś
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We had a place in Chicago called Smokey Joe’s that sold clothes like that. They’re gone now, of course…
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Indeed gone but not forgotten, we had Carnaby Street , it’s still there but no where near as exclusive đź’ś
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The Stylistics were a great group and I enjoyed this song by them. Thanks for the backstory and the bit about Connie Stevens.
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I linked to Connie’s version, if you want to hear it. It’s pretty good, actually, but The Stylistics really nailed it…
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I love this song, too, John. I was a big Motown fan all around.
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The Stylistics were Philadelphia, actually, but I know what you mean. The ’70’s were a great time for soul.
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Yes, the soul was what I loved. So much.
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I know this song but it doesn’t do much for me as I am not one for this style, for the most part. Interesting that it was written for Connie Stevens and it was a klunker for her.
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And hers was pretty good. I linked to it in the post, if you want to hear it.
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Great tune. John,I’d never thought i would have to admitt this to anyone but Being a Widower is the scariest thing that’s ever happened to me.
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With all the moving and everything I’ve been doing, I must have missed that. I’m sorry for your loss.
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