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.
Imagination
The O'Jays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My my my baby
My my my my darling
Yeah
My darling, it's been a long time
But we're still together
So when we make love
I always try to do something clever
Of this same old good thing
I wanna keep it alive
So nobody else can come take you away
‘Cause you're mine
And love is our Mrs
Open mind, open arms, and open heart
I'm here for your pleasure
So let's create a little bit of your fantasy
Enjoy getting you excited
Giving you the right thing
If you don't like doing that same old
Same old every day (Everyday)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Use your imagination baby)
Wanna keep the love you've got
Don't let it slip away
(Don't let it slip away)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Use a little imagination, baby)
Romantic journey, can we explore, love?
We can create our own vibe
Make each day special
So many ideas go in between us
Keeping the magic alive
Whatever you desire
Baby, let's make love
I'll make up a move, do it to you
You do it to me back
Oh it feels so good pleasing you
You keep me inspired
Oh yes you do
Baby, baby, baby it's all about you
Use a little imagination on me
Use it when you're making
Love to me every night
Oh baby
Oh
We can create our own vibe
Make each day special
So many ideas flow between us
We got that magic alive
Whatever you desire
Baby, let's make love
I'll make up a move, do it to you
You do it to me back
Oh it feels so good pleasing you
You keep me inspired
If you don't like doing that same old
Same old every day (All day)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Use it, use it, use it on me)
Wanna keep the love you've got
Don't let it slip away
(Don't let it slip away)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Use a little imagination, girl)
If you don't like doing that same old
Same old every day (Stop it)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Do what you gotta do, c'mon baby)
Wanna keep the love you've got
Don't let it slip away
(Don't let it slip away)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
Use it, use it, use it
Use it, use it, use it
Use it, use it, use it
Come on, come on, come on
Let's get it on
Come on now, let's do it
We're stroking it, we're choking it
Say over to the left
Then down to the right
C'mon Baby
Then slow it down
Let's do it in the funkey
Come on step with me, baby
Move your body side to side
Come on step with me tonight
Step on, step on, step on, step on by
(Step on by, baby)
Love you ‘til you get tired
Baby you're keeping me inspired
(To move)
Step on, step on, step on, step on by
Step on by baby
Step, step, side to side
Just like I want
Lookin' so good like you should
Said we're stroking it
Oooh
Oooh
Oooh
Oooh
Oooh
Baby
Create and innovate
All night, don't stop
Let me do it with you
Come on, come on
Taking me higher and higher
And higher, higher
Get funky with it
Let's create a little bit (let's do it!)
Ooh, ooh, all these fantasies (let's do it!)
Get in line
Keeping you excited, girl
Giving you variety
Come on, let's play
I know you feel it
The song "Imagination" by The O'Jays is a soulful love song that discusses the importance of keeping love alive with imagination. The singer takes the role of a lover who wants to keep things fresh and exciting with their partner. They recognize the importance of always trying something new in love, so as not to let the relationship become monotonous. The singer is devoted to their partner, and they want to keep the relationship strong and steadfast. They encourage their partner to use their imagination and create a unique romantic journey, explore their love, and make each day special.
The song's chorus highlights the need for imagination in love, repeatedly emphasizing the message that if one does not like doing the same old thing every day, they must use a little imagination to keep the love they have and not let it slip away. The singer expresses their commitment to their partner, saying that they are here for their pleasure and that they enjoy giving them the right thing. The song is a call to action for lovers to act imaginatively and step out of their comfort zones to create an exciting love life.
Line by Line Meaning
My darling, it's been a long time
But we're still together
So when we make love
I always try to do something clever
Don't want you to ever get tired
Of this same old good thing
I wanna keep it alive
So nobody else can come take you away
‘Cause you're mine
And love is our Mrs
Open mind, open arms, and open heart
I'm here for your pleasure
So let's create a little bit of your fantasy
Enjoy getting you excited
Giving you the right thing
The singer has been with his partner for a while and wants to keep things fresh and exciting in bed. He promises to be open-minded and imaginative to please his partner and keep their love alive.
If you don't like doing that same old
Same old every day (Everyday)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Use your imagination baby)
Wanna keep the love you've got
Don't let it slip away
(Don't let it slip away)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Use a little imagination, baby)
The singer urges their partner to be creative and open to trying new things to keep their relationship and sex life exciting. They warn that without imagination, their love may fizzle out.
Romantic journey, can we explore, love?
We can create our own vibe
Make each day special
So many ideas go in between us
Keeping the magic alive
Whatever you desire
Baby, let's make love
I'll make up a move, do it to you
You do it to me back
Oh it feels so good pleasing you
You keep me inspired
Oh yes you do
Baby, baby, baby it's all about you
The singer suggests they embark on a romantic journey together, where they explore new things and ideas to keep their love and passion alive. They offer to take turns in pleasing each other and express their love and admiration for their partner.
Use a little imagination on me
Use it when you're making
Love to me every night
Oh baby
Oh
We can create our own vibe
Make each day special
So many ideas flow between us
We got that magic alive
Whatever you desire
Baby, let's make love
I'll make up a move, do it to you
You do it to me back
Oh it feels so good pleasing you
You keep me inspired
The singer invites their partner to use their imagination on them during their lovemaking, offering to reciprocate the creative energy. They reiterate the importance of keeping the love and magic alive by trying new things and ideas.
If you don't like doing that same old
Same old every day (All day)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Use it, use it, use it on me)
Wanna keep the love you've got
Don't let it slip away
(Don't let it slip away)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Use a little imagination, girl)
If you don't like doing that same old
Same old every day (Stop it)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
(Do what you gotta do, c'mon baby)
Wanna keep the love you've got
Don't let it slip away
(Don't let it slip away)
You've got to use a little imagination, baby
Use it, use it, use it
Use it, use it, use it
Use it, use it, use it
The singer re-emphasizes the importance of using imagination to keep things fresh and exciting in their love life, warning that stagnation can lead to the loss of their love. They urge their partner to use their imagination and make an effort to explore new ideas and possibilities in their intimate relationship
Come on, come on
Taking me higher and higher
And higher, higher
Get funky with it
Let's create a little bit (let's do it!)
Ooh, ooh, all these fantasies (let's do it!)
Get in line
Keeping you excited, girl
Giving you variety
Come on, let's play
I know you feel it
The singer encourages their partner to embrace creativity and imaginative play in their lovemaking, promising to keep their partner excited and fulfilled. They encourage their partner to let go of their inhibitions and indulge in their deepest fantasies to keep things exciting.
Writer(s): TERRY LEWIS, JAMES HARRIS
Contributed by Kylie P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
nubian queen
on A Prayer
Heavenly father
Creater of all things
I humble myself
As i bow to your throne
I pray for love.joy.peace and happiness
To be present in my home
Well i do...
And that your holy spirit
Build in my heart and in my mind
Please give me strenght cause i get a little weak sometimes
I need help from you just to see me through
Well...
Heavenly father
There is no one to you I give the glory
And on my knees i fall
I ask for wisdom and understanding
To you my prayers i bring
To you my soul i send
Nthabzadamastawamatootouzend
on Fading
This song brings back so much and it makes me mesmerize every moment slowly fading out and I try everytime to stop them but it only heals wiylth time. This a fantastic song. Thank you!