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.
I Don't Know
The O'Jays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Girl, you have had played on my mind before
Yes, you did
But this time, I can't turn my back on you, no
No, no, no
Your mean evil ways, the games that you play
My love, you reject, you show no respect
I'm tired of you treating me like that, oh
I don't know if I love you anymore
I'm not sure, you're the girl I used to know
Uh, uh, oh baby, baby, baby
Now I know, I know, you remember
Last night you went a little bit too far
Yes, you did
I saw you outside with your friend in that car
You know that ain't right, girl
It feel it don't change not one single thing
It didn't work on woman or man
I'm tired and fed up, no love and no trust
I wonder what happened to us, no
I don't know if I love you anymore
I'm not sure you're the girl I used to know
I don't know if I love you anymore
I'm not sure you're the girl I used to know
Baby, you're acting strange
But that won't change one thing
It feel it don't change not one single thing
If it was a woman or man
I'm tired and fed up, no love, no trust
I wonder what happened to us, oh babe
I don't know if I love you anymore
I'm not sure you're the girl I used to know
I don't know if I love you anymore
I'm not sure you're the girl I used to know
The lyrics of The O'Jays's song I Don't Know tell the story of a man struggling with his feelings towards a woman. He admits that she has played on his mind before, but this time he can't turn his back on her. The woman's mean and evil ways, the games she plays and the things that she does and says is where their problems lie. The man's love is rejected, and he's tired of being mistreated. He doesn't know if he loves her anymore, as he's not sure she's the girl he used to know. The woman's behavior seems to be causing him a lot of hurt and he's struggling to come to terms with whether to continue the relationship or let her go.
The man accuses her of going too far the previous night when she was spotted with a friend. He sees this as evidence of her questionable behavior, and he's had enough. He doesn't believe that her actions will change a single thing, regardless of whether it was a woman or a man. He's tired and fed up, he feels no love and no trust, and he wonders what has happened between them. The lyrics are a plea to the woman to change her ways, to start treating him with the love and respect he deserves. But despite the pain and uncertainty, the man is not sure if he's ready to call it quits.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, you have had played on my mind before
You've been on my mind in the past, but this time things are different.
Your mean evil ways, the games that you play
Your manipulative behavior is hurtful and emotionally draining.
The things that yo do and say, my love, you reject, you show no respect
You constantly disrespect me and our love in the way you act and speak.
I don't know if I love you anymore, I'm not sure, you're the girl I used to know
I'm questioning my feelings for you and whether you're the same person I fell in love with.
Last night you went a little bit too far, I saw you outside with your friend in that car
Your behavior last night was unacceptable and makes me question the trust in our relationship.
It feel it don't change not one single thing, it didn't work on woman or man
Your manipulative tactics won't work on anyone, regardless of gender.
I'm tired and fed up, no love, no trust, I wonder what happened to us
I'm exhausted from the lack of love and trust in our relationship and I'm questioning what went wrong.
Baby, you're acting strange, but that won't change one thing
Your strange behavior won't fix the issues we're facing.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON WILLIAMS, KELLY CALLAN-WILLIAMS, KRISTI CALLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommy Nabors
One of the smoothest ever by the Jays!
AlligatorShuz
I love this song!
Cedric Edwards
Eddie makes up words as he sings awesome.
caddy848
I like this, Ojays please put this song in your show! SMOOTH!!!
Billy Hill
This song hits me hard. I didn't see her in no car, but I saw her the next day and she did him the night before. That was 27 years ago and it still won't go away.
William Le Noir
Real soul music
Kenny Kinard
Mr. Edwards Eddie Levert being the legendary artist that he is has been making up words for years as only he and his brother Walter Williams can do and be in since. They are true artist. O'jays for life.
Angela Devault
This is music. That's my jam.. I don't know..
James Robinson
Im feelin this jam sippin on the best straight vibin a t l 4life
Angela Devault
This is music. That's my jam.. I don't know..