Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)
| "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The Stylistics | ||||
| from the album The Stylistics | ||||
| B-side | "If I Love You" | |||
| Released | 1971 | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Genre | Soul, Philly soul | |||
| Length | 2:57 | |||
| Label | Avco | |||
| Writer(s) | Thom Bell, Linda Creed | |||
| Producer | Thom Bell | |||
| The Stylistics singles chronology | ||||
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"Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" is a soul song written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed that was originally recorded by the Philadelphia soul group The Stylistics.
Contents |
[edit] The Stylistics version
An R&B ballad, it was the first track from their 1971 debut self-titled album[1] and was released as a single in 1971 and reached #39 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.[2] In addition, it also climbed to #6 in the Billboard R&B chart.[2]
[edit] Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross version
| "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye | ||||
| from the album Diana & Marvin | ||||
| B-side | "Love Twins" | |||
| Released | 1974 | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length | 2:53 | |||
| Label | Motown | |||
| Writer(s) | Thom Bell, Linda Creed | |||
| Producer | Hal Davis | |||
| Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye singles chronology | ||||
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Around the same time, Motown wanted their most successful label mates Gaye and Ross to record a duet album. Among the songs they released, their version of "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" was recorded in separate studios, and was released as a UK only single from their duet album, Diana & Marvin, in 1974. The song became a hit in the UK reaching #25 on the UK Singles Chart.
In 2001 the Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross duet version was used as part of the movie soundtrack for Bridget Jones's Diary.
[edit] Covers and samples
The song has been covered many times. Patti Austin recorded it for her 1981 album, Every Home Should Have One, and Will Downing's 1998 album, Pleasures of the Night version featured saxophonist Gerald Albright. The duet approach was mimicked by Michael McDonald and Toni Braxton, for McDonald's Motown Two album in 2004.
Smilez and Southstar's hit, "Tell Me", sampled from the Gaye/Ross version. A second sample of that version of the song, at least the music, was by Ja Rule and Ashanti with their joint hit, "Mesmerized". 50 Cent also sampled it in his song, "Ghetto Qu'ran (Forgive Me)".
Boney James has also covered the song.
Johnny Mathis covered the song for his 1973 album I'm Coming Home, an album of Philly soul record standards composed mostly by Thom Bell and Linda Creed.
Shaquille O'Neal sampled the Gaye/Ross version for the rap song "Legal Money" on his 1996 album You Can't Stop the Reign.
Kool & the Gang made an instrumental version of this song on in 1973 on their compilation album Kool Jazz.
Craig David sampled the song on his latest album Signed, Sealed, Delivered and serves as the second single.
Jean Grae's Lovesong from her 2002 album Attack of the Attacking Things samples the original version.
Barbara Acklin covered this song on the B-side of her 1972 single Lady, Lady, Lady.
Lewis Taylor covered the song for his 2005 Hacktone release of the album "Stoned".
Toni Braxton sampled the song for her song "You've Been Wrong" on her third album The Heat.
Circle Research sampled the song for their song "Stop, Look ... Listen to your Heart".
[edit] Personnel
[edit] The Stylistics version
- Lead vocals by Russell Thompkins, Jr.
- Background vocals by James Smith, Airrion Love, James Dunn, and Herbie Murrell
- Produced by Thom Bell
[edit] Marvin Gaye & Diana Ross version
- Lead vocals by Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross
- Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
- Produced by Hal Davis
[edit] References
- ^ Lytle, Craig. "The Stylistics". AllMusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-stylistics-r19273. Retrieved 01 October 2011.
- ^ a b Allmusic - Charts & Awards
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