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.
That's How Strong My Love Is
O.V. Wright Lyrics
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I'd go with love most everywhere
I'll be the moon when the sun goes down
Just to let you know that I'm still around
That's how strong my love is, oh
That's how strong my love is,
That's how strong my love is, baby, baby,
I'll be the weeping willow drowning in my tears
You can go swimming when you're here
I'll be the rainbow when the sun is gone
Wrap you in my colors and keep you warm
That's how strong my love is, darling,
That's how strong my love is, baby,
That's how strong my love is, oooh,
That's how strong my love is.
I'll be the ocean so deep and wide
I'll get out the tears whenever you cry,
I'll be the breeze after the storm is gone
To dry your eyes and love you warm
That's how strong my love is, baby,
That's how strong my love is,
That's how strong my love is, darling,
That's how strong my love is,
That's how strong my love is, so deep in,
Well, that's how strong my love is
So much love, yes so much love, oohh,
Yes so much love, yes so much love,
Anything that I can do, I'll be good for you,
Any kind of love you want, I'll be with you....
The lyrics of O.V. Wright's song "That's How Strong My Love Is" express an unwavering and unconditional love that the singer is willing to offer his beloved. He uses vivid imagery to showcase the strength of his love, likening himself to different natural elements like the sun, moon, weeping willow, rainbow, ocean, and breeze. He asserts that he will follow his love everywhere, be present in her life at all times, and comfort her whenever she needs him.
When he says, "If I was the sun way up there, I'd go with love most everywhere," he suggests that his love has no boundaries or limitations. He then goes on to say that he'll be the moon when the sun goes down, signifying that he'll be present in her darkest hours as well. In the following verses, he compares himself to a weeping willow, a rainbow, and an ocean, all of which are metaphors for his love's ability to provide comfort, warmth, and healing to his partner.
The chorus of the song, "That's how strong my love is," reinforces the central theme of the song that the singer's love can overcome any obstacles and is indestructible. The song's conclusion leaves no doubts about the depth and intensity of his love for his soulmate.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was the sun way up there
I would shine love everywhere if I were as powerful as the sun.
I'd go with love most everywhere
I would spread love wherever my powerful presence was found.
I'll be the moon when the sun goes down
I'll be there when you need me, even when it seems like everything else is gone.
Just to let you know that I'm still around
I'm here for you, always, just to give you comfort and companionship.
That's how strong my love is, oh
My love for you is immeasurably strong.
I'll be the weeping willow drowning in my tears
My love is so deep, I'll show emotion in the form of shedding tears.
You can go swimming when you're here
My tears can be the emotions that you can swim in when you're with me.
I'll be the rainbow when the sun is gone
I'll be a symbol of hope and brightness during your darkest moments.
Wrap you in my colors and keep you warm
I'll surround you with my love and hold you close.
That's how strong my love is, darling,
My love for you is unyielding and steadfast.
I'll be the ocean so deep and wide
My love is vast and all-encompassing.
I'll get out the tears whenever you cry,
I'll be the one to comfort you and give you a shoulder to cry on.
I'll be the breeze after the storm is gone
I'll be the calm after the chaos, bringing peace to your life.
To dry your eyes and love you warm
I'll provide comfort and affection to you in your times of need.
That's how strong my love is, baby,
My love for you is unwavering and unconditional.
That's how strong my love is, darling,
My love for you is enduring and long-lasting.
That's how strong my love is,
My love is one of the strongest things in my life.
That's how strong my love is, so deep in,
My love for you is deep and profound.
Well, that's how strong my love is
My love is truly resilient and powerful.
So much love, yes so much love, oohh,
I have a tremendous amount of love to give to you.
Yes so much love, yes so much love,
My love is overflowing and abundant.
Anything that I can do, I'll be good for you,
I'm here to support you, no matter what you need.
Any kind of love you want, I'll be with you....
I'm ready and willing to love you however you need to be loved.
Contributed by Eva A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@charleslucas3682
One of the greatest performer ever lived we was privileged to be in his presence in Al.& Ga. May God bless your Soul Mr.O.V Wright !!!!! & Thank you so much !!!!
@LeeLeeWilliams-1908
His voice has so much SOUL you can feel his pain, and passion 🙌🏾🙌🏾
@FloydLarck
The music, the message and the man. What a generation has lost by not having this music in their lives. Others have said this is pure soul, and they're right.
@asandl
What an amazing voice! And a great recording and band backing him up!
@henriettaparks586
I JUST DISCOVERED!! OW WRIGHT!! FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS IVE BEEN LISTENING AND DOWN LOADING HIS MATERIAL! THIS SONG AND THE RIVER SONG(EVERY BODY KNOWS) ARE MY FAVORITES!!! LOVING EVERY MINUTE!!#2020!!!
@chrisabruzzi2803
Me too, just discovered him!!!
@ezerlenewatkins9644
This is one we listened to when we were teenagers.
@ezerlenewatkins9644
This is the one we listened to when we were teenagers.
@joycesummerford4671
Love his music
@TreBell08
One of the greatest ever. Afflicted with heart break, tough times and addiction, OV gifted us songs that reflected the colors of his life and times. May God rest his soul.