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.
Stairway to Heaven
The O'Jays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Climbing the stairway to heaven
Here we go
Walking the road of ecstasy
Taking the load
Of this whole world off our shoulders
The door is wide open for you
Here we go
Still in a moment of pleasure
You and I
We are gonna find the pirates treasure
Here we go
Oh baby
Oh baby, here we go
Climbing the stairway to heaven
Climbing the stairway to heaven
And we are going step by step
Together, step by step
Here we go
Oh baby
Oh baby, here we go
Climbing the stairway to heaven
Climbing the stairway to heaven
And we are going step by step
Together, step by step
Stairway to heaven
Stairway to heaven
Stairway to heaven
Stairway to heaven
Stairway to heaven
Stairway to heaven
For the rest of our life
We are gonna be together
Stairway to heaven
Just me and you
Stairway to heaven
Me and you
Put your hand in my shoulder, lean closer
Don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go
We'll go out and we're gonna find it
In our own little corner of the world
Our own little spot (and I wonder), it'll be me and you, come on
Don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go
I said, baby, it's gonna be just like goin' on up (heaven)
Sweet life (heaven)
Nice life (heaven)
Heaven
Stealin' a moment, stealin' a moment of pleasure
Don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go
Just put your hand in mine
Talkin' 'bout heaven right here on earth
Gonna make it, gonna make it real
Don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go
Real easy, easy for you, baby, come on and go with me right now
I said it'll be just right (heaven)
Sweet (heaven)
Nice (heaven)
Heaven's on my mind (heaven)
Goin' on up (heaven)
Goin' on up, it's gon' be just like
Walk with me
'Cause the door is open
Talk with me
Come on, baby
Love me
Don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go
Love me
Step by step now
Put your hand in mine
For all times
All the troubles in the world, and come on
Don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go
Come on, come on, it's gon' be just like, just like (heaven)
It's gonna, it's gonna seem just like (heaven)
'Cause heaven's on my mind (heaven)
I said come on and go, go, go
Heaven right here on earth (heaven)
Go on, go on (heaven)
The lyrics of the song "Stairway to Heaven" by The O'Jays indicate a journey towards a life filled with ecstasy and free from worldly concerns. The use of words like 'climbing' and 'walking' suggests a steady ascent towards a higher level of happiness. The song talks about leaving behind the troubles of the world and going forth towards a pleasurable experience, represented by the treasure pirates' search. The song reminds the listeners that the door to this world of happiness is open to everyone, and one should take their chance to get rid of the troubles of life and take a step towards a better life. The idea of the stairway to heaven implies that it is not an easy journey, but through determination and consistency, one can make it.
The song has an overall upbeat tempo, suggesting a positive outlook on life. The chorus is repetitive, reinforcing the idea of taking steps towards a better life. The lyrics invite the listeners to join in and go towards a journey of happiness. The song encourages both the singers and the listeners to take the journey forward with someone special, whose hand we can hold and go together through the ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we go
We are embarking on a journey.
Climbing the stairway to heaven
We are progressing towards a state of ecstasy and fulfillment.
Here we go
We are continuing on our journey.
Walking the road of ecstasy
We are moving towards a state of profound happiness and satisfaction.
Taking the load
We are relieving ourselves of the burdens of this world.
Of this whole world off our shoulders
We are freeing ourselves from the weight of the problems and struggles of life.
The door is wide open for you
An opportunity awaits you.
The door is open for me
An opportunity awaits me.
Here we go
We are still continuing on our journey.
Still in a moment of pleasure
We are enjoying the present moment of happiness.
You and I
We are taking this journey together.
We are gonna find the pirates treasure
We will discover something valuable on our journey.
Oh baby
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm.
Climbing the stairway to heaven
We are still progressing towards a state of ecstasy and fulfillment.
And we are going step by step
We are progressing gradually and consistently.
Together, step by step
We are taking this journey together, one step at a time.
Stairway to heaven
Our journey represents a pathway to a state of profound happiness and satisfaction.
For the rest of our life
We will continue on this journey indefinitely.
We are gonna be together
We will continue to take this journey together.
Just me and you
Our journey is a personal one that we will experience together.
Put your hand in my shoulder, lean closer
Let us come together closely and intimately for this journey.
Don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go, don't you wanna go
Encouragement to continue on this journey of happiness and fulfillment.
We'll go out and we're gonna find it
We will search for and discover what makes us truly happy.
In our own little corner of the world
Our journey is personal and individual to us.
Our own little spot (and I wonder), it'll be me and you, come on
Our journey is between just the two of us and will be a unique experience for us both.
I said, baby, it's gonna be just like goin' on up (heaven)
Our journey will feel like rising towards a state of profound happiness and fulfillment.
Sweet life (heaven)
Our journey represents a life of sweetness and happiness.
Nice life (heaven)
Our journey represents a life of comfort and satisfaction.
Stealin' a moment, stealin' a moment of pleasure
We are taking a brief but enjoyable break from the struggles of life.
Just put your hand in mine
Let us come together and continue on this journey hand in hand.
Talkin' 'bout heaven right here on earth
Our journey represents a state of profound happiness and fulfillment that can be experienced in this life.
Gonna make it, gonna make it real
We will attain the happiness and fulfillment that we desire on this journey.
Real easy, easy for you, baby, come on and go with me right now
This journey towards happiness and fulfillment is a simple and easy one that we can take together right now.
Heaven's on my mind (heaven)
We are constantly thinking about the happiness and fulfillment that we desire.
Goin' on up (heaven)
Our journey is a gradual ascent towards a state of profound happiness and fulfillment.
Walk with me
Let us continue on this journey together.
Cause the door is open
An opportunity for happiness and fulfillment awaits us.
Talk with me
Let us communicate and support each other on this journey.
Love me
Let us embrace each other and experience this journey of happiness and fulfillment together.
Step by step now
We will continue on this journey gradually and consistently.
Put your hand in mine
Let us come together and continue on this journey hand in hand.
For all times
We will continue on this journey indefinitely.
All the troubles in the world, and come on
Despite the struggles of life, we will continue on this journey towards happiness and fulfillment.
Come on, come on, it's gon' be just like, just like (heaven)
Our journey will feel like moving towards a state of profound happiness and fulfillment.
It's gonna, it's gonna seem just like (heaven)
Our journey will feel like a state of profound happiness and fulfillment.
Go on, go on (heaven)
Let us continue on this journey towards a state of profound happiness and fulfillment.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nenewoods4084
My 10 y.o grandson asked for this as his song choice. It speaks volumes.
He's had a good loving environment; but his mother treats him poorly for no reason. He has to witness his younger brother get preferential treatment and still he's his protector.
You couldn't ask für a better big brother despite the incredible lack of concern from his mom.
That's where his aunt, great grandparents and myself give him the attention, love and care he needs.
I was flooded with tears when I his aunt told me he requested this song. The same day, his mother spitefully removed him and his brother from our home where he knew he was secure and safe.
Pray for him, them and US!! My next step is get him back. My daughter, his mother has no stable home other than the one she chose to leave.
It touched me too deeply. That's the fire I need to put all my energies into getting them to a safe haven again.
@v33draft
I'm standing here next to my dad who just passes away about an hour ago. This song came to my mind because as the sun rose the rays came thru the window so bright the nurse came and said she'd never seen it so bright in any of the rooms. She looked at me and said im sorry your dad has passed. I know now why it was so bright in here. God had opened the pathway for him to cross over into Heaven today 8/9/2022 1 day after his 83rd Bday. Love you always dad.. Sidney Beckom R.I.P.
@dbillingsley2012
My condolences to you and your family
@regularmom7616
R.I.P my birthday Twin. I pray I live a long life such as you did. My condolence!
@MrEllya25
My condolence
@Personifydmedia
🙏
@jamesgarcia2905
May God bless you all the days of your life! May He shine on you!🙏🏼
@BRILLENTSTUDIOS
I lost my sister today. The queen who helped mold me into the man I am today! I love you Irene...say hello to our loved ones in heaven and know that the next time we meet, I will have praised your name and built a legacy for you along the way. Everything I do from here on out is in your name!
@michaelrice3381
Amen
@syrzelhenderson6269
God bless.
@ceebee2x134
Sorry for your lost my brother. Hope everything is all well with you and your family man I know how hard death is .