The Stylistics have shared their first new song in more than 16 years, ‘Yes, I Will’, featuring Shania Twain.
The ’70s soul legends – who are behind the hits ‘Stop, Look, Listen’, ‘You Are Everything’, ‘Betcha by Golly, Wow’, ‘I’m Stone in Love with You’, ‘Break Up to Make Up’ and ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’ – have joined forces with the ‘You’re Still the One’ hitmaker on the lead single from their star-studded album ‘Falling In Love With My Girl’, their first in almost 20 years.
Shania came up with the song and just so happened to be with musicians Steve Luthaker, Ray Parker Jnr, Nathan East at the time, who contributed to the finished tune, but she says it wasn’t until The Stylistics added their vocals that it “really came together”.
Shania commented: “I’m not known for making Soul records but Soul has always been a big influence for me musically. I have some friends who were part of making many of the great soul and RnB records of my youth. We get together when we can and jam out stuff. Several songs have come from these gatherings, when I have musicians around me, I can’t help but get to songwriting. I’m inspired being with talent I admire so much and one day I hope to make something of these songs as a collection but this track Yes, I Will found the most perfect home.”
She continued: “I’m so in awe of The Stylistics for their natural talent and effortless delivery. I can listen to their voices endlessly. I had this idea for the song Yes, I Will it all came together quite quickly for me lyrically and melodically, it was just a natural flow.
“Luckily I had some wonderful musicians at my house that day Steve Luthaker, Ray Parker Jnr, Nathan East – they were all visiting and I had already laid down the demo – that morning. Before I knew it they were picking up instruments and adding their own sounds to the track but it wasn’t until The Stylistics vocal married with my own vocal that the track really came together.”
She added: “Just a beautiful soulful love song. I don’t know how I would have added the song to my own album – but it found its way to the perfect place amongst a truly wonderful new album from The Stylistics and I am so pleased that we can finally share it with you.”
Airrion Love from The Stylistics said: “I fell in love with Shania Twain the first time I heard ‘You’re Still the One’ – a great song that I still love. When we heard there might be a chance to do something with her we said, “Hell yeah!””
The 21-track collection by the iconic group – completed by Herb Murrell and Jason Sharp – also features the likes of Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, KISS’ Gene Simmons, and The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins.
Plus, The Elton John Band (including Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone), Bill Champlin of Chicago, Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top, Tower of Power, Ray Parker, Jr., Jay Graydon, The Real Thing, and Carly Paoli.
Other than The Stylistics, funky horn section Tower of Power make the biggest contribution, appearing on the tracks ‘Don’t Leave Me Here’, ‘Rock and a Heartbeat’, and ‘I Could Never Leave Her’.
‘Falling In Love With My Girl’ – the follow-up to 2008’s ‘That Same Way’ – is released on February 21.
Falling In Love With My Girl Track Listing:
Falling In Love With My Girl (with Justin Hawkins)
Who Am I (with Ronnie Wood Jay Graydon)
Leave So Soon
Sad Tomorrows
Infatuation
Yes, I Will (with Shania Twain, Steve Luthaker, Ray Parker, Jr. and Nathan East)
Jealousy
Whatever Happened to Our Love (with Nigel Olsson, Bill Champlin and The Real Thing)
You’ll Live Forever (with Billy F. Gibbons)
Endless Days
Take Me Back to Rainbows
Lost and Alone
Don’t Leave Me Here (with Gene Simmons and Tower of Power) ~
Holy Water
Rock and a Heartbeat (with Tower of Power)
I Could Never Leave Her (with Tower of Power)
Debbie
Sonnet 18
I Get a Feeling
If I Fail
Take Me Back to Rainbows (Operatic Version ft. Carly Paoli)