At the age of seven Hawkins was already the keyboardist to accompany the family's gospel choir. Together with Betty Watson, he was the co-founder of the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ, which included almost fifty members. This ensemble recorded its first album Let Us Go into the House of the Lord at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California privately (on the Century 70 custom label), hoping to sell 500 copies. "Oh Happy Day" was just one of the eight songs on the album. (The soloists in the album were Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Dorothy Combs Morrison, Tramaine Davis (Hawkins), Reuben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Betty Watson, and Ruth Lyons.)
When radio stations of the San Francisco Bay area started playing "Oh Happy Day", it became very popular. Featuring the lead vocal of Dorothy Combs Morrison, the subsequently released single (on the newly created Pavilion label distributed by Buddah) rocketed to sales of over a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts making U.S. No. 4, UK No. 2, No. 2 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 1 on the German Singles Charts in 1969. It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it. Hawkins' arrangement of the song was eventually covered by The Four Seasons on their 1970 album Half & Half.
Their second Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts was the 1970 Melanie single "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," on which the label listed the performers as Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers. The song peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. In the 1992 movie Leap of Faith, Hawkins is the choir master for the gospel songs.
Hawkins died on January 15, 2018, at the age of 74.
Ooh Child
The Edwin Hawkins Singers Lyrics
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Things are gonna get easier
Ooh child
Things'll get brighter
Some day, yeah
We'll get it together and we'll get it all done
Some day
Some day, yeah
We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
Some day
When the world is much brighter
Ooh child
Things are gonna be easier
Ooh child
Things'll be brighter
Some day, yeah
We'll get it together and we'll get it all done
Some day
When your head is much lighter
Some day, yeah
We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
Some day
When the world is much brighter
The Edwin Hawkins Singers' "Ooh Child" is a hopeful song about the belief that things will get better, eventually. The lyrics serve as a reminder that life is not always easy, but the future is brighter. The repeated phrase "Ooh child" is almost like a soothing reassurance to someone who is going through a difficult time.
The song highlights the idea that if we keep our head up and keep pushing through, we will one day reach a point where life isn't as tough as it feels in the moment. The melody is uplifting and catchy, with a positive message, reflecting the idea that even in difficult times, there is something to look forward to.
The song's message resonated with many people when it was released in 1970, and it continues to be a favorite today. "Ooh Child" serves as a reminder that no matter how difficult things may seem, we can always hold onto hope for a brighter future. It encourages listeners to keep pushing through, as someday things will be much easier and much brighter.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh child
Hey there, whoever needs to hear this
Things are gonna get easier
Life will not always be this hard
Ooh child
Hey there again, don't forget
Things'll get brighter
Things will improve, the future is not all bleak
Some day, yeah
One day, we'll make it through
We'll get it together and we'll get it all done
We will accomplish what we need to do, together
Some day
One day it will happen
When your head is much lighter
When you feel less burdened, less weighed down by worries
Some day, yeah
One day, we'll enjoy the good things life has to offer
We'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
We'll bask in the beauty of life, experience happiness and joy
Some day
One day, we'll witness the change
When the world is much brighter
When the world has become a better, more positive place
Ooh child
Remember, things will get better
Things are gonna be easier
The challenges we face will not always be so difficult
Ooh child
Hold on, have hope
Things'll be brighter
The future holds brightness, positivity, and happiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stan Vincent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind