Born Ocie Lee Smith in Mansfield, Louisiana, Smith moved with his parents to Little Rock, Arkansas, before their divorce saw Smith and his mother move to Los Angeles.
After completing a psychology degree at Southern University, Smith joined the Air Force, and served throughout the US, Europe and Asia. While in the Air Force, Smith began entering talent contests and toured with Horace Heidt. On his discharge in July, 1955, Smith went into jazz music to pay the bills.
Smith gained his first break as a singer with Sy Oliver and made an appearance on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. His success on that show led to a recording contract with Cadence Records.
Smith's debut release was a cover of the Little Richard hit "Tutti Frutti" in December, 1955. The song was not a hit, but convinced MGM Records to sign Smith to a solo contract, resulting in three more releases, but still no hits.
In 1961, Smith was recruited by Count Basie to be his vocalist, a position he held until 1965. He also continued to record with different labels, but a hit remained elusive. (His highest chart position was number 127, for his 1967 release, "That's Life"). By 1968, Smith's then label, Columbia Records, was ready to release him from his contract, when he entered the charts for the first time with "Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp".
"Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" is a sentimental recollection of a Mom who turns to prostitution to support her family after they are abandoned by the alcoholic father. It was originally recorded by country artist Johnny Darrell, but Smith's cover had much greater success.
Smith changed the first part of his name to O.C. and recorded a cover of the Bobby Russell song "Little Green Apples", which shot to number 2 on the pop charts and won Smith a 1969 Grammy Award for "Best Song".
While Smith was unable to scale these heights again, he continued to record, reaching number 34 with "Daddy's Little Man", before retiring from music to study divinity. In 1985, Smith became Dr. O.C. Smith, pastor of the City of Angels Science of Mind Centre in Los Angeles, and he continued to preach until his death in 2001.
I'm Glad I Fell In Love With You
O.C. Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
The-en suddenly I got that old-time feelin'
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you (still in love with you)
(Today I passed you on the street)
Today I passed you on the street
(And my heart fell at your feet)
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
(Somebody else stood by your side)
Somebody else stood by your side
(And he looked so satisfied)
And, ya know, he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold ya just the way I used to do
Oh-oh-oh-oh heaven only knows how much I miss, how much that I miss ya
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
(Still in love with you)
The song I'm Glad I Fell In Love With You by O.C. Smith portrays a man who bumps into his ex-girlfriend on the street and realizes that he is still in love with her. The encounter leaves him heartbroken, as he watches her walk away, content with a new man in her life, but unable to let go of his feelings for her. The lyrics depict a winding emotional journey, as the man's memories of their past relationship come flooding back, creating an intense longing that he cannot shake.
The lyrics are deeply melancholic and express a range of emotions, from nostalgia to jealousy and finally, heartbreak. The song's opening lines, "Today I passed you on the street, and my heart fell at your feet," set the tone for the regret and sadness that follows. The man is powerless to deny his love for his ex-girlfriend, despite her having moved on with someone else. The line "Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you, and hold ya just the way I used to do," sums up the emotional pain he is feeling.
The song's melody is slow and mournful, matching the emotional intensity of the lyrics. The use of simple, repetitive chord progressions and a soulful vocal delivery imbue the composition with a timeless quality that resonates with anyone who has loved and lost. Overall, I'm Glad I Fell In Love With You by O.C. Smith is a poignant and moving song that captures the profound sense of loss that often accompanies failed relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Today I passed you on the street
The singer encountered the person they still love while out and about
And my heart fell at your feet
The singer was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing their former lover
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
The singer acknowledges their continued love for the person they saw
Somebody else stood by your side
The artist saw that their former lover has moved on to someone else
And, ya know, he looked so satisfied
The person the artist saw seemed content in their current relationship
Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you
The singer is pained by the thought of their former lover being intimate with someone else
And hold ya just the way I used to do
The singer misses the physical affection they used to share with their former lover
Oh-oh-oh-oh heaven only knows how much I miss, how much that I miss ya
The artist deeply longs for their former lover and is unsure if they will ever be able to move on
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Despite their best efforts, the artist is unable to stop loving their former partner
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@peterclassen
I played in the Floor Shows of O.C.Smith, as a Drummer. We were an International 11 Man Band. All, very good Musicians on Stage. The Shows were all sold out. O.C. Smith was very popular and had many Female Fans. Many Artists play his Hit "Little Green Apples" in their Repertoire. He was a fantastic Entertainer and a great Soul and R & B Singer. His Voice was velvet soft and deep. For me,he had the same Voice like Lou Rawls. It was an Exciting Time for me, as a young Drummer. P.C.
@georgesmith3022
thanks for the info!
@anthonysmith3349
They just don't make people like this no more 😮😢_ God bless 💖🙏
@daobsn91
Clarence, this how I feel about you! Debbie ❤
@francorusso222
A Singer. Wonderful
@sallygoodph.d.7359
a good song feels like you're being sung to by someone who really cares. the love of my life sent this to me. it's perfect
@Tony7840
Was so proud to consider O.C.one of my friends through the years. Without a doubt, one of the GREATEST!!!! Ran "circles" around Stevie Wonder and so many others. Truly miss him so very much.
@handsome18
One of the best swing and hand dance songs out there
@emeldalawson5737
That was Robbie and OC!
Lord, A Fantastic Husband and Wife. OC, Loved his, Robbie! The love was oozing out of everytime, he looked At, his Queen! So Beautiful to See!
@jaimejones155
One of the "Greatest"