The O'Jays originally consisting of Walter Williams (b. August 25, 1942), Bill Isles (January 4, 1941 – March 2019), Bobby Massey, William Powell (January 20, 1942–May 26, 1977) and Eddie Levert (b. June 16, 1942). The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. The O'Jays (now a trio after the departure of Isles and Massey) had their first hit with "Lonely Drifter", in 1963. In spite of the record's success, the group was considering quitting the music business until Gamble & Huff, a legendary team of producers and songwriters, took an interest in the group. With Gamble & Huff, the O'Jays emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia soul with Back Stabbers (1972), a huge pop hit, and topped the U.S. singles charts the following year with their anthemic "Love Train".
They formed the group in Canton, Ohio in 1958 while attending Canton McKinley High School. Originally known as The Triumphs, and then The Mascots, the friends began recording with "Miracles" in 1961, which was a moderate hit in the Cleveland area. In 1963 they took the name "The O'Jays", in tribute to radio disc jockey Eddie O'Jay (Toop, 1991), and released "Lonely Drifter", which charted nationally. Their debut LP was Comin' Through. Throughout the 1960s, they continued to chart with songs such as "Lipstick Traces" (which they performed nationally on the ABC Television program, Shivaree), "Stand In For Love", "Let It All Out", "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow", "Deeper In Love With You" and "One Night Affair", along with several other regional and national Pop and R&B hits. In 1972, they finally scored with their first million-seller, "Back Stabbers", from the gold album of the same name. By this time, original member Bobby Massey had also departed, leaving the group a trio. This album produced several more hit singles, including "992 Arguments", "Sunshine", "Time To Get Down" and the #1 Pop smash, "Love Train". They became known as "The Mighty O'Jays" due to their exciting, emotion-packed stage performances, led by the dynamic Levert, and the cool, multi-range vocals of Walter Williams, coupled with the matinee idol looks and smooth first tenor voice of William Powell.
During the remainder of the 1970s the O'Jays continued releasing chart-topping singles, including "Put Your Hands Together" (Pop #10), "For the Love of Money" (Pop #9), "Give the People What They Want", "Let Me Make Love To You", "I Love Music" (Pop #5), "Livin' for the Weekend", "Message in Our Music" and "Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet Tender Love)". Original member William Powell died of cancer in 1977 at the age of just 35.
After adding Sammy Strain (born December 9, 1941) (of Little Anthony & the Imperials), the O'Jays continued recording, though with limited success. 1978's "Use ta Be My Girl" was their final Top Five hit, though they continued placing songs on the R&B charts throughout the 1980s. Their 1987 album, Let Me Touch You, was a breakthrough of sorts, and included the #1 R&B hit "Lovin' You". Eddie Levert also got a copy of Kevan Tynes' "Loving You" prior to recording their version .Though they continued charting on the R&B charts in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the O'Jays never again achieved pop success. In 1992, Sammy Strain left the group, and returned to the Imperials, to be replaced by Nathaniel Best, and later, by Eric Grant. Later in the 1990s, the group did little recording, though they remained a popular live draw. Their latest album was Imagination in 2004.
In 2003, they co-starred in the movie The Fighting Temptations, which starred Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce Knowles. In the film, they played three barbers who joined the local church choir to help out the film's protagonist Darrin (Gooding) who was the choir director.
In 2005 the O'Jays were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Original members Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, Bobby Massey and, posthumously, William Powell, were inducted. In a note of controversy, 70's O'Jays member Sammy Strain was also inducted with the group, while original member Bill Isles was not. (Strain is one of the few artists in popular music history who is a double RRHOF inductee: with The O'Jays in 2005, and The Imperials in 2009). In 2006, the O'Jays performed at the ESPY awards, hosted by Lance Armstrong. "For the Love of Money" is the theme song to the hit reality TV show The Apprentice, starring Donald Trump, which is ironic considering that the lyrics warn of the evil people will do for the love of money.
On February 23, 2007, Radio-Canada's website reported that Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice had used the song "For The Love of Money" without the group's permission during a political event, a faux pas since Prentice is responsible for the application of the Copyright Act in Canada. Radio-Canada also reports that Prentice has since been contacted by the attorneys for both the O'Jays and Warner/Chappell Music.
On June 28, 2009, at the 2009 BET Award Show in the Shrine Auditorium the O'Jays were honored with BET's 2009 Life Time Achievement Award. Tevin Campbell, Trey Songz, Tyrese Gibson, and Johnny Gill performed a medley of the groups songs followed by the presentation of the award by Don Cornelius. The group reminisced, joked with the audience and accepted their award before performing a rendition of their hit songs.
Forever Mine
The O'Jays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All because you're my kind.
Aw, baby,
I got what you want, you got what I want,
An' we were made for each other. (oo-oo)
Forever mine,
An' I'm so glad
Oh, girl
I like what you like, you like what I like,
An' we were made for each other.
Oh, baby,
You are that someone I've been hopin',
I've been lookin' for all my days.
Don't you ever think about leavin',
This heart of mine would be grievin'.
Don't go, stay, stay.
Forever mine,
Aw, we're, we're one of a kind.
Mmm, oo-oo, baby girl
I need what you need, you need what I need,
And we were made for each other.
Oo-oo, oh girl.
Oh, baby,
I want to love you,
Love you so, make it good,
Right down to the bone, to the bone.
Cause it's you I'm thinkin' about pleasin',
Give you all the love you're needin'.
Don't go, (please) stay (stay) stay.
Forever mine,
Cause you and me, we get along just fine.
Aw, baby,
I got what you want (good love),
You got what I want (good lovin'),
And we were made for each other.
Aw, we've been around
And I've had a lot of loves
And I know you had a lot of loves, too
But I ain't never had nobody
That do the things you do.
We go together,
Well, like the birds in the trees.
I'd be in a round of trouble, girl,
If you wasn't here with me, stay!
Forever mine
Oh, 'cause, 'cause you're my kind.
Oo-oo, baby (baby) baby girl,
You know that I like what you like (good love),
You like what I like (good lovin'),
And we belong together.
Oo-oo, baby, ah-ah, baby, you
I got what you want, you got what I want,
And we were made for each other,
For each other, girl,
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, girl.
You know that
(I like what you like) It gets better,
(I like what I like) It's better with time.
We were made for each other, girl
For each other, baby.
I got what you want
So don't you ever think about leavin'
Oh, baby, oh, girl
I like what you like
Cause it's you I'm thinkin' about pleasin'
Oo-oo baby,
Oh, girlâ?¦oh, girl
I know that the, ah
Don't ever think about leavin'
I need your lovin'
Oh, babyâ?¦.and if you leave me
Cause it's you I'm thinkin' about pleasin'
Oh, baby, ah,
Never think about leavin'
(Don't do it) don't do it (don't do it) oh, baby
It's you I'm thinkin' about pleasin'
Ah
Don't you ever think about leavin' (Don't do it)
Don't do it, babyâ?¦
"Forever Mine" by The O'Jays is a love song that emphasizes on the unity and compatibility that exists between the two lovers. The song narrates the joy and happiness the male partner has found in his woman and how he never wants to let her go. The chorus, "Forever Mine," emphasizes their bond and how they were made for each other. The songwriter tries to reassure his partner of his love for her, recognizing that they both have had multiple lovers but she stands out. The lines "Girl, I like what you like, you like what I like, and we were made for each other" emphasizes their compatibility and how they complement each other. He pleads with her not to ever think about leaving him as he would be devastated. The story the song tells is a classic love story of two lovers who have found their match; who will stay together forever because of their love.
Overall, "Forever Mine" is an excellent example of 70s soul music, with its smooth groove, and elaborate instrumentation. The lyrics align with the vibe and melody of the song, which express the love and connectedness between the two lovers. The song also highlights the importance of staying loyal to those we cherish and not leaving them heartbroken.
Line by Line Meaning
Forever mine,
The singer expresses his deep commitment to the person he loves and emphasizes that he is hers forever.
All because you're my kind.
He likes her for who she is and the qualities that she possesses, making her the perfect match for him.
Aw, baby,
The singer is speaking in an affectionate tone towards the woman he loves.
I got what you want, you got what I want,
The singer affirms that they both have what each other desires in a romantic partner.
An' we were made for each other. (oo-oo)
The singer believes that they were destined to be together and that their relationship was meant to be.
An' I'm so glad
The singer expresses his joy and contentment with being with this woman forever.
Cause it gets better with time.
The singer believes that their relationship will improve and become more meaningful with time and age.
Oh, girl
The singer directly addresses the woman he loves with an affectionate term.
I like what you like, you like what I like,
The singer affirms that they have common interests and share a deep connection and compatibility.
Aw, we're, we're one of a kind.
He sees them both as unique and special individuals who are perfectly suited for each other.
Mmm, oo-oo, baby girl
The singer continues to express his deep affection for the woman he loves with an affectionate tone.
I need what you need, you need what I need,
The singer affirms that they both have similar needs and desires in their relationship.
And we were made for each other.
The singer reiterates his belief that their relationship was destined to be and that they were meant to be together.
Oh, baby,
The singer affectionately addresses the woman he loves.
You are that someone I've been hopin',
The singer expresses that the woman he loves is the one he has been waiting for and hoping to find his whole life.
I've been lookin' for all my days.
The singer has been searching for the love of his life for a long time and believes that he has finally found her.
Don't you ever think about leavin',
The singer is worried about losing the woman he loves and asks her not to leave him.
This heart of mine would be grievin'.
The singer suggests that he would be extremely upset and heartbroken if she were to leave him.
I want to love you,
The singer expresses his deep desire and willingness to love the woman he loves unconditionally.
Love you so, make it good,
The singer wants to make sure that their love is fulfilling and satisfying for both of them.
Right down to the bone, to the bone.
The singer wants their love to be deep and meaningful, to the very core of their being.
Cause it's you I'm thinkin' about pleasin',
The singer is committed to pleasing the woman he loves and making her happy.
Give you all the love you're needin'.
The singer wants to provide the woman he loves with all the love and affection she needs.
Oh, 'cause, 'cause you're my kind.
The singer emphasizes that he and the woman he loves are compatible and well-suited for each other.
You know that I like what you like (good love),
The singer is reminding the woman he loves that they share common interests and desires, such as good love.
You like what I like (good lovin'),
The singer is stressing that they have similar interests and desires, such as good lovin'.
And we belong together.
The singer believes that he and the woman he loves have an unbreakable bond and belong together forever.
Aw, we've been around
The singer acknowledges that both he and the woman he loves have had previous relationships and experiences.
And I've had a lot of loves
The singer admits to having had many previous loves and relationships before finding the one he truly loves.
And I know you had a lot of loves, too
The singer recognizes that the woman he loves has had her own share of previous loves and relationships.
But I ain't never had nobody
The singer has never loved anyone as deeply as he loves the woman he is with now.
That do the things you do.
He believes that the woman he loves is one-of-a-kind and he has never met anyone like her before.
We go together,
The singer believes that he and the woman he loves are perfectly matched and compliment each other well.
Well, like the birds in the trees.
He believes that their love is natural and beautiful, much like the birds in the trees.
I'd be in a round of trouble, girl,
The singer suggests that he would be lost without the woman he loves, and would be in trouble or distress.
If you wasn't here with me, stay!
He pleads with the woman he loves to stay with him and never leave him, because he needs her by his side.
Oh, baby, baby girl,
The singer affectionately calls the woman he loves by these pet names.
Oo-oo, oh girl…oh, girl
The singer is expressing his deep affection for the woman he loves with an affectionate tone.
I know that the, ah
The singer is unsure about the future of their relationship and is worried that the woman he loves may leave him.
Never think about leavin'
He pleads with the woman he loves never to leave him and to stay with him forever.
It's you I'm thinkin' about pleasin'
The singer is committed to pleasing the woman he loves and making her happy.
(Don't do it) don't do it (don't do it) oh, baby
He is begging her not to leave him and to stay with him always.
Don't you ever think about leavin' (Don't do it)
He is reiterating the importance of the woman he loves staying with him always.
I need your lovin'
The singer expresses his deep need for the love and affection of the woman he loves.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH GAMBLE, KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulmuriithi7596
So who's still listening to this magnificent music in 2024
@okay_sego.o8195
Me
@debc1212
Me😅
@tfayebrown
Me
@clevelandlamar407
Slow drag music..yall don't know what I'm talking about ?😊
@Luna-bf5jj
❤
@idreamazyannaa5002
Who's here in 2024!! I love this song ♥️
@larryvoke8726
I just heard this for the first time today. I’m hooked ❤ Need to find more of their songs
@a-m3248
@@larryvoke8726You should check out stairway to heaven, family reunion, desire me, for the love of money, backstabbers, use ta be my girl, cry together, lovin you
these are some of their songs I suggest you listen to
@saranwright7113
@@larryvoke8726dude. How old are you ? Lol