Break Up to Make Up - The Stylistics (1973) 9/4/21

Since I started highlighting songs back in October of 2019, I've made it a point to periodically showcase one of my favorite soul groups of the '70s: The Stylistics.

So far, I've written about 3 of their biggest hits:

"I'm Stone in Love With You" on 11/1/19 and 10/31/20. https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/222629602543828

"You Make Me Feel Brand New" on 5/6/20 https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/175065000633622

"Betcha By Golly Wow" on 12/28/20 https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/254091056064349

Today we're highlighting yet another of their "smooth Philadelphia grooves" featuring the amazing falsetto of Russell Tompkins, Jr.

What makes 1973's "Break Up to Make Up" different than the other Stylistics songs is the confrontational tone of the lyrics. Yes, it's a break up song of sorts, but it's sung from the point of view of a man who is tired of his girlfriend messing with his emotions. Basically--he's pretty annoyed, and he's calling her out for her behavior---in the nicest, most gentle kind of way.

The musical groove doesn't quite match the lyrics--and that's the genius of the song. (It was written by 3 of Philadelphia's best songwriters: Thom Bell, Linda Creed and Kenneth Gamble.)

"Break Up to Make Up" reached #5 on two Billboard charts: The Hot 100 and the R &B Chart, and it's most certainly a "Great Song of 1973!