Their song "Runnin' from the Devil" inspired the Van Halen song "Runnin' With the Devil".
The group disbanded again in 1970. After again reforming with a line-up including Bonner, Satchell, Middlebrooks, Jones, Webster, trumpeter Bruce Napier, trombonist Marvin Pierce, and keyboardist Walter "Junie" Morrison, the Players had a minor hit on the Detroit-based Westbound label in 1971 with "Pain" which reached the Billboard R&B Top 40. Detroit vocalist Dale Allen shared co-lead vocals on some of the early Westbound material, although not credited on the albums "Pain" and "Pleasure".
The band’s first big hit was "Funky Worm", which hit #1 on the Billboard R&B Charts and made the pop Top 15 in May 1973. The band signed with Mercury Records in 1974. By this time, their lineup had changed again, with keyboardist Billy Beck instead of Morrison and Jimmy "Diamond" Williams on drums instead of Webster. On later album releases, they added second guitarist/vocalist Clarence 'Chet' Willis and conga player Robert "Rumba" Jones to the lineup. Bonner sang lead vocals on most of the band's hits.
The band had seven Top 40 hits between 1973 and 1976, including "Fire" (#1 on both the R&B and pop charts for two weeks and one week respectively in February 1975) and "Love Rollercoaster" (#1 on both the R&B and pop charts for 1 week in January 1976). The group's last big hit was "Who'd She Coo" a #1 R&B hit in August 1976.
The band became widely known not only for their sound, which has been sampled and copied by countless R&B and hip-hop artists since, but for their sexually provocative album covers, including the cover of 1974's Ecstasy, which featured a man and a woman in a pose of arousal wearing chains and leather, and 1975's Honey, which featured a nude woman holding an overflowing jar of honey and dropping some into her mouth with a ladle.
There is an urban legend that has it that a scream on "Love Rollercoaster" that came during the break after the second verse was the sound of someone being murdered in the studio while the track was being recorded. It is widely believed to be the scream of a female model (the nude woman Ester Cordet featured on the image for the Honey album) after being stabbed with a knife by the band's manager. She was complaining that the honey and fibre glass she was sitting on reacted when mixed causing permanent damage to her legs during the image photography, ending her modelling career. She then approached the manager seeking compensation during the recording of "Love Rollercoaster" only to be stabbed and attacked.
The Ohio Players then left the scream in as a sick tribute.[1] The band did not discredit this rumor at the time, because, as one band member put it later, "that makes you sell more records." This is just an urban legend however, as are any other disturbing explanations, including a person murdered outside the recording studio (although recording studios are soundproof and the scream would not have been heard), a band member murdering his girlfriend or a cleaning woman in the recording studio, or a real scream taken from a 911 call or a Psychiatric ward.
Clarence Satchell died in January 1996 after he had a brain aneurysm. Ralph Middlebrooks died in November 1997.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were one of the bands heavily influenced by the Ohio Players, covering "Love Rollercoaster" for the film Beavis and Butt-head Do America. In the UK, there was a chain of music and DVD stores named after one of their hit songs, "Fopp". "Fopp" was also covered by Soundgarden for an EP called Fopp.
Magic Trick
Ohio Players Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No, man, that ain't none of my old lady
I used to talk to you then I catch you goin' out
And you just busted her, now listen to this
I used to think that you were really cool
I used to think that you never would be nobody's fool
Let me tell you baby, you're a jive turkey
Give me it straight, jive turkey
Wow, wow, wow, wow
I played hookie from school just to be with you
I put my trust in you
'Cause you could do the do
'Cause you could do the do
'Cause you could do the do
I put my trust in you
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow
Give me it straight baby
Jive turkey, jive turkey
Jive turkey
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow
Lordy, lordy, lordy, lordy, lord
Hey, hey, alright get in the groove
All you jive turkeys clap your hands
Jive turkey, jive turkey
Say what? Say you're sorry?
Baby I'm not goin' for that no more
I done had enough of that
Wa, wa, wow
Jive turkey, jive turkey
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow
Jive turkey
Think I'll play the blues
Early in the morning
Go out and find somebody new
What about Marvin, Mervin and Pee Wee?
That's you all
Yes, my name is Satchmo
The Ohio Players' "Magic Trick" is a song about betrayal and disappointment. The first part of the song has the singer confronting his friend about seeing his girlfriend, which he denies. However, moments later, the friend confesses that he has indeed been seeing her. The singer expresses his disappointment with his friend, calling him a "jive turkey" and demanding that he gives him the truth straight. The second part of the song is the singer reflecting on how much he trusted his friend and put his faith in him, only to be let down. He decides to move on and find someone new, leaving his friend behind.
The lyrics of "Magic Trick" are infused with a sense of disillusionment and frustration, as the singer grapples with the reality of his friend's actions. It expresses the pain of being let down by someone you trusted deeply and the decision to move on and start anew. The upbeat funk sound of the song juxtaposes the somber subject matter, creating a sense of bittersweetness that encapsulates the emotional complexity of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, is that your old lady over there, man?
Are you seeing the same woman I am over there?
No, man, that ain't none of my old lady
No, I do not know that woman.
I used to talk to you then I catch you goin' out
I thought we were friends, but then I saw you leaving with that woman.
And you just busted her, now listen to this
You were just caught cheating on your actual girlfriend, so listen to what I have to say.
I used to think that you were really cool
I used to view you as a respectable, admirable person.
I used to think that you never would be nobody's fool
I assumed that you were too intelligent and clever to fall victim to anyone's schemes.
Let me tell you baby, you're a jive turkey
But now, let me tell you that you are a foolish, insincere person.
Give me it straight, jive turkey
Be honest with me, insincere person.
Yeah baby, jive turkey
Yes, you are indeed an insincere person.
Wow, wow, wow, wow
This situation is surprising and unfortunate.
I played hookie from school just to be with you
I skipped school just to spend time with you.
I put my trust in you
I trusted you to treat me well and be honest with me.
'Cause you could do the do
Because you were skilled in certain areas.
'Cause you could do the do
Because you were skilled in certain areas.
'Cause you could do the do
Because you were skilled in certain areas.
I put my trust in you
I trusted you to treat me well and be honest with me.
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow
This situation is surprising and unfortunate.
Give me it straight baby
Be honest with me.
Jive turkey, jive turkey
Insincere person.
Jive turkey
Insincere person.
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow
This situation is surprising and unfortunate.
Lordy, lordy, lordy, lordy, lord
Exclamation to express frustration or disappointment.
Hey, hey, alright get in the groove
Let's focus on the music and have a good time.
All you jive turkeys clap your hands
Everyone who is acting insincerely, clap your hands.
Jive turkey, jive turkey
Insincere person.
Say what? Say you're sorry?
What? You're asking for forgiveness?
Baby I'm not goin' for that no more
No, I won't fall for your insincere apologies anymore.
Wa, wa, wow
Exclamation to express surprise or dissatisfaction.
Jive turkey, jive turkey
Insincere person.
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow
This situation is surprising and unfortunate.
Jive turkey
Insincere person.
Think I'll play the blues
I think I will express my feelings through music.
Early in the morning
As soon as the day starts.
Go out and find somebody new
I will move on and find someone else.
What about Marvin, Mervin and Pee Wee?
What about those other acquaintances of yours?
That's you all
That includes you all as well.
Yes, my name is Satchmo
Yes, my nickname is Satchmo, referring to my idol, Louis Armstrong.
Writer(s): Clarence Satchell, Marshall Jones, Leroy Bonner, Marvin Pierce, Willie Beck, Ralph Middlebrooks, James L. Williams, Ralph Middlebrook Copyright: Segundo Suenos Music, Rick'S Music Inc.
Contributed by Michael P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michele Henney
I listen to the Ohio Players for hours at a time. Mesmerizing.
Yvonne Davis
Michele Henney - I was given passes to this concert after a friend referred me for alterations. I still feel the energy from the horns section, Diamond on drums, Suga Foots on guitar and Billy Beck on keys and this vibration stems from the 70s. Every time I listen to this song it mellows the worst of days.
Danny Beasley
when i was a kid at times i heard them rehearse live it was a remarkable experience.
ROCKNROLLFAN
this is such a classy groove and not to mention that PIMPED OUT ALBUM COVER and thats what I love about this record so much besides the controllers mind which is timeless.....
Corey J
One of my all time favorite group ever. ....this track was originally suppose 2 b a instrumental only 4 the film but The Ohio players decided at last minutes 2 add only a few vocals parts
Noel Openda
Corey J Interesting to know that, OHIO PLAYERS were such a great band this is real funk I really miss the 70s
the promise man
Cool to know Corey j thanks for the info
jimy0803
Same type of funky-groove as the classic "Skin Tight". Luv this!
Danny Beasley
I remember when this album came out it was a double album being from the same city man i was so proud.
yoshluv7
Damn, that horn section though!!!!!