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.
Give the People What They Want
The O'Jays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give the people what they want
Well, well, well, well
Don't you know you
You got to give the people
Give the people what they want?
And everybody feels the same
It's a unanimous decision
I said we're ready for a change, yeah, yeah, yeah
Don't know you
Got to give the people (give it up)
Give the people what they want?
Well, well
Don't you know you just oughta
You got to give the people
Well, well
Give the people what they want
Well, it's about time for things to get better
We want the truth, the truth and no more lies
We want freedom, justice and equality
I want it for you and I want it for me
You, you, don't you?
Got to give the people (give it up)
Give the people what they want
Don't you know, don't you know you
Got to give the people (give it up)
Give the people what they want?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh, yeah
And you got to give the people (give it up)
Give the people what they want
(You better) Don't ya know, don't ya know you
Got to give the people, give it up
Give the people what they want?
Don't you know that you just
Give the people, give the people what
Give the people what, give 'em what they want
You better, you better, you better
Give the people what, give the people what
Give the people what, give 'em what they want
Don't you know, don't you know ya
Give the people what, give the people what
Give the people what, give 'em what they want?
People want better education now, now
People want better food to eat
People want, hey, better housing
People need money, money
People need equality
People need understanding
People need freedom
And gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got, you, you, you
You better
Give the people what, give the people what
Give the people what, give 'em what they want
Don't you know you
Give the people what, give the people what
Give the people what, give 'em what they want
The O'Jays's song "Give The People What They Want" is a social commentary on what the people need and demand from society. The lyrics begin with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the importance of giving the people what they want. The songwriter believes that the people's needs and desires are universal, as they have traveled all over the world and have observed that everyone feels the same.
As the song progresses, the lyrics highlight specific things that the people want, including truth, justice, equality, better education, better food to eat, better housing, and more money. The songwriter believes that these are basic human needs, and society has a responsibility to provide them.
The song's message is powerful and clear, with the repeated chorus providing a call to action for those in power to listen to the people and address their needs. The O'Jays are urging society to make a change and provide the people with what they want and need.
Line by Line Meaning
You got to give the people, now
It is necessary that you provide the public with what they want
Give the people what they want
Offer the society what they are yearning for
Don't you know you
Are you not aware that
You got to give the people
It is your responsibility to supply the public with
But I done been all over the world
I have traveled to many places across the globe
And everybody feels the same
The majority of people share the same sentiment
It's a unanimous decision
Everyone has collectively agreed
I said we're ready for a change, yeah, yeah, yeah
I have expressed that we require a transformation
Don't you know you just oughta
You really must
Well, it's about time for things to get better
It is high time the situation improved
We want the truth, the truth and no more lies
We demand honesty and nothing else
We want freedom, justice and equality
We desire liberty, fairness, and equivalence
I want it for you and I want it for me
I want these things for myself and others
And you got to give the people
And it is your responsibility to provide society with
You better
It is in your best interest to
People want better education now, now
The public desires an improved educational system immediately
People want better food to eat
The society requires better quality food
People want, hey, better housing
The people demand improved and more suitable living structures
People need money, money
Citizens require monetary resources
People need equality
The public needs fairness in opportunities and treatment
People need understanding
The public requires comprehension and empathy
People need freedom
Society desires liberty to act and be what they want
And gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got, you, you, you
And it is essential that you do it
Give the people what, give the people what
Provide what society is asking for
Don't you know you
Are you not aware that
Give the people what, give the people what
Provide what society is demanding
Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh, yeah
An exclamation of affirmation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leon Huff, Kenny Gamble
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaylene.turner6524
Written by
Kenny Gamble
and
Leon Huff
————————————
Lead Vocals:
Eddie LeVert
(Tenor)
Walter Williams
(Tenor/Baritone)
————————————
Background Vocals:
William Powell
(First Tenor/Falsetto)
Eddie LeVert
(Second Tenor)
Walter Williams
(Baritone)
—————————————
Instrumentation:
MFSB
—————————————
Arranger and Conductor:
Bobby Martin
—————————————
Produced by
Kenny Gamble
and
Leon Huff
————————————
Year:
1975
—————————————
Album:
Survival
————————————————
Went to #1 on the R&B chart.
#45 on the Billboard Hot 100.
@shaheedturner
This one of the best message songs ever recorded by The O'Jays Give The People What They Want in 1975 I love the Philadelphia sound like Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, The O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, The Stylistics, Blue Magic, The Delfonics, The Three Degrees, Patti La Belle, The Jacksons, Archie Bell & The Drells, Lou Rawls, and lots more too great songs doesn't get any better than this instead of today's music!!! I love the Philadelphia sound!!!! God bless you Gamble & Huff!!! Keep the music going!!!!
@donbrewstersr.936
President Barack Obama rock this on his campaign trail.... yes!!
@joehamlet7576
Too bad he let EVERYBODY down.
@h7opolo
peace songs
@aundrawatson439
ALL of The Ojays songs have great meaning and are very inspirational!!! I wish their music was played everywhere all the time. They are a one of a kind band. My favorite song is "Love Train" you can't get a better song than that!!! I love the Ojays!!!
@robnbmore
And we still aint got it
@bryantjauregui965
King of the hill brought me here
@idrismahmood6532
s12 ep11
@Stormdrane
King of the Hill brought me here
@Mr7galvin
❤TUNE❤.