Born in Leno, Tennessee, Wright, as a youngster, began singing in the church. In 1956, while still in high school, he joined The Sunset Travelers as one of the lead singers for the gospel group. He later fronted a gospel music group, the Harmony Echoes. It was during this time that he was discovered (along with James Carr) by Roosevelt Jamison a songwriter and manager. Their first pop recording in 1964 was "That's How Strong My Love Is," a ballad later covered by Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones. It was issued on Goldwax, the label Wright signed to after leaving his gospel career. It was later determined that Don Robey still had him under a recording contract, due to his gospel group having recorded for Peacock. After his contract was shifted to Don Robey’s Back Beat label, further R&B hits followed. Working with record producer Willie Mitchell, success continued on songs including "Ace of Spades" and "A Nickel and a Nail".
Wright's hits were much more popular in the deep South. His biggest hits were "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" (R&B #6, 1965), "Eight Men, Four Women" (R&B #4, 1967) "Ace of Spades" (R&B #11, 1970), "A Nickel and a Nail" (R&B #19, 1971). The remainder of his 17 hits charted higher than #20 on the R&B charts.
However, Wright was imprisoned for narcotics offenses during the mid-1970s, and, despite signing for Hi Records and releasing a series of recordings, his commercial success failed to recover after his release. A continuing drug problem weakened his health and he died from a heart attack, in Mobile, Alabama at age 41.
Wright is among the most remembered voices of soul music, perhaps mostly for being sampled frequently in hip hop music. In 1996, his song, "Motherless Child" was sampled on the Ghostface Killah album Ironman on a song also called "Motherless Child." It and another Wright recording, "Let's Straighten It Out" have been published on Shaolin Soul, a compilation of tracks that have been sampled by the Wu Tang Clan and its members. "Let's Straighten It Out" was sampled in a Wu-Tang Clan song called "America" from the charity compilation album America Is Dying Slowly. "Ace of Spades" was sampled by Slim Thug and the Boss Hogg Outlawz on a song named "Recognize A Playa".
Johnny Rawls joined Wright's backing band in the mid-1970s, and played together with Wright until the latter's death in 1980. The band then continued billed as the O.V. Wright Band for another 13 years, and toured and performed with other musicians over this time span. These included B.B. King, Little Milton, Bobby Bland, Little Johnny Taylor, and Blues Boy Willie.
I don't know why
O.V. Wright Lyrics
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I've been here several times, never stopped to really ask why
No I'm not going back to the way that I was before
Being too afraid to step outside my front door
And the truth is hard to swallow, maybe it's all part of the game
I swear I can hear your voice calling my name
And the truth is hard to swallow, maybe it's all part of the game
I swear I can hear your voice calling my name
No need to justify your existence tomorrow's today
We're going where nobody knows who knows where we'll end up along the way
No need to justify your existence tomorrow's today
The lyrics of O.V. Wright's "I Don't Know Why" express the ambivalence, frustration, and emotional turmoil of a person who keeps coming back to their lover, despite knowing very well that their relationship is toxic and flawed. Even though the singer admits that their partner is not listening to them, dismissing their emotions as "too emotional," and trying to control the relationship like a game, they still cannot resist the intense attraction they feel towards them.
The song opens with the line "Love is love," which can be interpreted as both a truism that justifies the irrationality of the singer's behavior and a plea for understanding that love is not always rational or logical. The repeated refrain "I don't know why" creates a sense of helplessness and confusion, as if the singer is caught in an endless cycle of desire and disappointment, unable to break free. The lines "When we gonna turn the page/When you gonna finally listen to me" suggest that the singer feels stuck in a relationship that is not evolving or maturing, with both partners repeating the same mistakes and arguments.
The verse "Call me crazy but I like it here/I lose my mind just to have you near" captures the contradictory mix of madness and passion that characterizes the singer's attachment to their partner. They are aware of the toll that this relationship takes on their mental health and sanity, but they cannot resist the pull of physical intimacy and emotional intensity. Similarly, the final line "But I keep coming right back" conveys a sense of resignation or even addiction, as if the singer is aware that they are trapped in a destructive pattern but cannot find the strength or willpower to escape.
Line by Line Meaning
Love Is Love
This song is about the power of love and how it can sometimes be confusing and irrational.
I don't know why I even try baby
Despite feeling uncertain about the relationship, the singer keeps trying for the sake of love.
But your love is so good I keep coming right back to you
The love that the other person offers is so irresistible, it keeps pulling the singer back.
I don't know why
Despite wanting to understand the situation, the singer doesn't have all the answers.
When we gone turn the page
The singer is wondering when the relationship will take a turn for the better.
When you gone finally listen to me
The singer is frustrated that their voice isn't being heard in the relationship.
We both got our share of mistakes
Both individuals have made mistakes in the relationship that have contributed to current issues.
Ain't gotta make it harder than it gotta be
The singer wishes for the relationship to be easier to navigate without added complications.
You say I'm too emotional but
The other person has criticized the singer for being too emotional, which causes conflict.
Then get mad when I don't give ah fuck
When the singer doesn't show emotion or care, the other person also gets angry.
Oh I try not to take it personal
The singer attempts to not let the other person's behavior and words affect them personally.
Cause that's what most n****z do
The singer recognizes that this behavior is common among people.
Make it like it's all you
The other person blames the singer for everything wrong in the relationship.
You insist this is ah game
The other person doesn't take the relationship seriously and treats it like a game or joke.
You most have the controller
The other person has control over the relationship, which is causing problems for the singer.
Call me crazy but I like it here
Despite the turbulent relationship, the singer admits to enjoying being in love with the other person.
I lose my mind just to have you near
The singer is willing to go to great lengths to be near the other person, even if it means losing control.
So you can give it to me take it all back
The singer is willing to accept anything from the other person, even if it hurts them in the end.
I ain't running I'll be coming right back
The singer won't give up on the relationship, even though it's difficult to maintain.
But then get mad when I don't give ah fuck
The other person's behavior is confusing and hard to understand, as they sometimes contradict themselves.
I don't know
The singer is still unsure about the relationship despite all the complications.
But I keep coming right back
Despite the difficulties, the singer can't resist the love they have for the other person.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Liam O'Rourke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind