Legendary Philadelphia Soul group The Stylistics have collaborated with global icon Shania Twain on a brand-new single, “Yes, I Will,” released on Valentine’s Day. Listen here.
Written by Shania, this beautiful love song describes the hardships that both she and The Stylistics have endured throughout their careers in the music industry and their lives in general—hardships they have triumphantly fought through—and how unconditional love helped them do so. The melodic content of “Yes, I Will” is infectious, and the gorgeous blending of vocals showcases both artists’ incredible talents. It is a celebration of love and all that endures.
This duet is the first single off The Stylistics’ upcoming star-studded new album, Falling In Love With My Girl, which, in addition to Shania Twain, features the likes of Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, Bill Champlin of Chicago, Jay Graydon, Gene Simmons of Kiss, Billy F Gibbons of ZZ Top, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, The Real Thing, and Tower of Power.
Shania was invited by The Stylistics to sing on their new album. She had the perfect song in mind, and once the band heard the infectious soulful hit, they completely agreed. Shania worked on the song with Nathan East, Ray Parker Jr., and Steve Lukather.
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 R&B 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 start songwriting. I’m inspired by 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.”
“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,’ and it all came together quite quickly for me, both lyrically and melodically. It was just a natural flow.”
“Luckily, I had some wonderful musicians at my house that day—Steve Lukather, Ray Parker Jr., 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’ vocals married with my own that the track really came together.”
“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 among 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 adds, “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 Stylistics’ original members Airrion Love and Herb Murrell, together with Jason Sharp, who joined the group in 2011, recorded their vocals for their new album Falling In Love With My Girl at Spice House Sound in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Wright Way Studios in Baltimore, Maryland. Tom Cridland arranged and recorded the background vocals in the Scottish Highlands and at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The Elton John Band, including Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone, laid down the instrumental tracks at Record Plant in Hollywood, California. Falling In Love With My Girl was the last album ever made at the legendary recording studio.
Most of the songs were written by Tom Cridland together with Anthony King of Blackpool and Anthony’s wife, Fiona Shaw. Two tracks, “Sad Tomorrows” and “I Get a Feeling,” were written by Airrion Love.
