The O'Jays
The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1958 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert (born June 16, 1942), Walter Williams (born August 25, 1943), William Powell (January 20, 1942 – May 26, 1977), Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays made their first chart appearance with "Lonely Drifter" in 1963, but reached their greatest level of success once Gamble & Huff, a team of producers and songwriters, signed them to their Philadelphia International label in 1972. With Gamble & Huff, the O'Jays (now a trio after the departure of Isles and Massey) emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia soul with "Back Stabbers" (1972), and topped the Billboard Hot 100 the following year with "Love Train". Numerous other hits followed through the 1970s and into the 80s and 90s, and The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
Career
They formed the group in Canton, Ohio in 1958 while attending Canton McKinley High School. Originally known as The Triumphs, and then The Mascots, the friends began recording with "Miracles" in 1961, which was a moderate hit in the Cleveland area. In 1963, they took the name "The O'Jays", in tribute to Cleveland radio disc jockey Eddie O'Jay who was part of the powerful management team of Frankie Crocker, Herb Hamlett & Eddie O'Jay, (Toop, 1991). In 1963, The O'Jays released "Lonely Drifter," their first national chart hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #93. Their debut album, released shortly thereafter was Comin' Through.
Podcasts:
The O'Jays
ALBUMS
- The O'Jays in Philadelphia released: 2013
- The Essential O'Jays 3.0 released: 2009
- The Essential O'Jays released: 2008
- Survival released: 2008
- Love Fever / Let Me Touch You released: 2006
- When Will I See You Again / Love and More released: 2005
- So Full of Love / Identify Yourself released: 2005
- The Essential O'Jays released: 2005
- Together We Are One released: 2004
- Message in the Music / Travelin' at the Speed of Thought released: 2004
- The O'Jays Greatest Hits released: 2004
- Home for Christmas released: 2003
- Anthology released: 2003
- Ship Ahoy released: 2003
- Love Songs released: 2003
- The Ultimate O'Jays released: 2001
- Significant Singles: The R&B Chart Hits & Flips 1976-1987 released: 2000
- The Best of Old School released: 1999
- The Ultimate Collection released: 1999
- Love You to Tears released: 1997
- The Best Of released: 1996
- In Bed With the O'Jays released: 1996
- The Very Best Of The O'Jays released: 1991
- Emotionally Yours released: 1991
- Serious released: 1990
- Family Reunion released: 1988
- Let Me Touch You released: 1987
- The O'Jays Greatest Hits released: 1984
- My Favorite Person released: 1982
- Identify Yourself released: 1982
- Travelin' at the Speed of Thought released: 1977
- Collectors' Items released: 1977
- Message in the Music released: 1976
- Super Bad released: 1975
- Back Stabbers released: 1972
- Soul Sounds released: 1967
- Comin' Through released: 1965
- Love Train: The Best of the O'Jays released:
- So Full of Love released:
- Imagination released:
- Best of The O'Jays released:
- Super Hits released:
- Love Train: The Best of the O'Jays released:
- The O'Jays Greatest Hits released:
- Very Best of released:
The Essential O'Jays 3.0
Released 2009- Lonely Drifter
- Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)
- Stand in for Love [Live]
- I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)
- There's Someone (Waiting Back Home)
- One Night Affair
- Deeper (In Love With You)
- Back Stabbers
- 992 Arguments
- Love Train
- Time to Get Down
- Put Your Hands Together
- Sunshine, Pt. 1
- You Got Your Hooks In Me
- Now That We Found Love
- For The Love Of Money
- Give The People What They Want
- Survival
- Let Me Make Love To You
- I Love Music
The Essential O'Jays
Released 2008- Lonely Drifter
- Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)
- Stand in for Love
- I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)
- There's Someone (Waiting Back Home)
- One Night Affair
- Deeper (In Love With You)
- Back Stabbers
- 992 Arguments
- Love Train
- Time to Get Down
- Put Your Hands Together
- Sunshine, Part 1
- You Got Your Hooks in Me
- Now That We Found Love
- For the Love of Money
- Give the People What They Want
- Survival
- Let Me Make Love to You
- I Love Music
When Will I See You Again / Love and More
Released 2005- I Can't Stand the Pain
- Betcha Don't Know (What Comes After That)
- When Will I See You Again
- House of Fire
- A Letter to My Friends
- Put Our Heads Together
- Ain't Nothin' Wrong With Good Lovin'
- Nice and Easy
- I've Got to Fall in Love
- Extraordinary Girl
- I'm the Kind of Man (Every Mother Wants Her Daughter to Love)
- Everybody's Dance Krazy
- Summer Fling
- I Really Need You Know
- Love You Direct
- Let Me Show You (How Much I Really Love You)
- Give My Love to the Ladies
So Full of Love / Identify Yourself
Released 2005- Sing My Heart Out
- Used Ta Be My Girl
- Cry Together
- This Time Baby
- Brandy
- Take Me to the Stars
- Help (Somebody Please)
- Strokety Stroke
- The Big Gangster
- Sing a Happy Song
- Get on Out and Party
- Identify
- So Nice I Tried It Twice
- Hurry Up and Come Back
- Forever Mine
- I Want You Here With Me
- On in a Million (Girl)
Together We Are One
Released 2004- All Eyes on Africa
- Together We Are One
- Your Place Or Mine
- I Know What You're Doing (But I'm Too Scared To Do Something About It)
- Ruler Of The Universe
- Pretty Is As Pretty Does (Just Too Pretty For Words)
- Promises
- When Sunny Gets Blue
- Just Don't Seem To Be My Day
- Packin' My Bags (Movin' On)
- Hurry Home
- (This Could Be) The Last Time
Message in the Music / Travelin' at the Speed of Thought
Released 2004- Message in Our Music
- A Prayer
- Paradise
- Make a Joyful Noise
- Desire Me
- Darlin' Darlin' Baby
- I Swear, I Love No-One but You
- Let Life Flow
- Travelin' at the Speed of Thought
- We're All in This Thing Together
- So Glad I Got You Girl
- Stand Up
- Those Lies (Done Caught Up with You This Time)
- Feelings
- Work on Me
- Let's Spend Some Time Together
Significant Singles: The R&B Chart Hits & Flips 1976-1987
Released 2000- Sing a Happy Song
- One in a Million
- I Want You Here With Me
- Forever Mine
- Get on Out and Party
- Girl, Don't Let It Get You Down
- You're the Girl of My Dreams
- Once Is Not Enough
- To Prove I Love You
- I Just Want to Satisfy
- Don't Walk Away Mad
- Your Body's Here With Me
- Out in the Real World
- I Can't Stand the Pain
- A Letter to My Friends
The Ultimate Collection
Released 1999- Lonely Drifter
- Crack Up Laughing
- Whip It on Me Baby
- You're on Top
- Time Is on My Side
- The Storm Is Over
- I Cried My Last Tear
- Miracles
- Lipstick Traces
- Today and Tomorrow
- Dotted Line
- Hold On
- A Blowing Wind
- Can't Take It
- How Does It Feel
- No More Time for You
- Stand in for Love
- Oh, How You Hurt Me
- You're the One
- Working on Your Case
- Friday Night
- Think It Over Baby
- A Rented Tuxedo
- Stand Tall
- I'm Gonna Make It
- Girl Machine
- I Won't Hurt
- I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow
In Bed With the O'Jays
Released 1996- Lovin' You
- Keep on Lovin' You
- Cry Together
- Help (Somebody Please)
- Serious Hold on Me
- Sing My Heart Out
- Let Me Touch You
- What a Woman
- Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet Tender Love)
- If I Find Love Again (feat. Najee)
- Use Ta Be My Girl
- Emotionally Yours (R&B version)
- Just Another Lonely Night
- Cause I Want You Back Again
The Very Best Of The O'Jays
Released 1991- 992 Arguments
- Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People
- Sunshine
- Love Train
- When the World’s at Peace
- Back Stabbers
- Give the People What They Want
- (They Call Me) Mr. Lucky
- Time to Get Down
- For the Love of the Money
- Put Your Hands Together
- Who Am I
- Livin for the Weekend
- Stairway to Heaven
- I Love Music
Emotionally Yours
Released 1991- Don't Let Me Down
- Something for Nothing
- Emotionally Yours (R&B version)
- Respect (feat. The Jaz)
- Keep on Lovin' Me
- Love & Trust
- Don't You Know True Love
- Emotionally Yours (Gospel version)
- That's How Love Is
- Closer to You
- If I Find Love Again (feat. saxophone: Najee)
- Keep on Pleasin' Me
- Lies
- Make It Feel Good
Best of The O'Jays
- Message in Our Music
- Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)
- Work on Me
- Use Ta Be My Girl
- Brandy
- Cry Together
- Sing a Happy Song
- Forever Mine
- Girl, Don't Let It Get You Down
- Your Body's Here With Me
- Lovin' You
- Let Me Touch You
- Have You Had Your Love Today
- Serious Hold on Me
- Don't Let Me Down
- Emotionally Yours
- Keep on Lovin' Me
Very Best of
- Backstabbers
- Love Train
- I Love Music
- Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender Love)
- Used Ta Be My Girl
- Brandy
- Now That We Found Love
- Put Our Heads Together
- Message in Our Music
- Sing a Happy Song
- Extraordinary Girl
- Give the People What They Want
- For the Love of Money
- 992 Arguments
- Time to Get Down
- Livin' for the Weekend
- Looky, Looky (Look at Me Girl)
- One Night Affair
- Deeper (In Love With You)
- Don't Call Me Brother
- Love Train (extended version)
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Forever Mine
by: The O'JaysI LOVE MUSIC
The O'Jays
I love music, any kind of music
I love music, just as long as it's groovy
Makes me laugh, makes me smile
for the world when I'm with you boy
While we dance make romance
I'm enchanted by the things that you do
I love music, sweet sweet music
Long as it's swinging, all the joy that it's bringing
I'm so happy to be in complete harmony, I love you boy
And to hold you so close in my arms, I'm so glad you're mine
all mine mine
Nothing can be better than a sweet love song
So sweet so sweet so mellow
When you got the girl that you love in your arm
Oh honey I love you I love you yeah
Music is the healing force of the world
It's understood by every man woman boy and girl
And that's why that's why I say
I love music
Any kind of music
Long as it's swinging
All the joy that it's bringing
Music makes the atmosphere so fine
Lights down low just me and you baby you know
'Specially when you got a cold glass of wine
Mellow wine and song
I love music, sweet sweet music
I love music, just as long as it's groovy
I love I love I love I love I love I love music
I love I love I love I love I love I love music
I love music, any kind of music
I love music, just as long as it's groovy
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