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.
Sunshine
The O'Jays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You dim the rainbow's glow
There's no power on this Earth
To seperate us, baby
'Cause you are my sunshine
You are mine, all mine
You were there to light the way
You're rare as a rose in winter
You're more, more than I deserve
You are my sunshine
You brighten up my darkest day
You are mine, all mine
Baby, it's you
Words like darling
Sweetheart, forever
Girl, it's you I'll always adore
They only say I love you
But you mean so much more
'Cause you are my sunshine
You're my sunshine, sunshine
Baby, baby, you are mine
You're mine, all mine
Hey, you
You're my sunshine
Sunshine, sunshine
You're everything
I gotta love you sweety
Honey, baby
You are my sunshine
The O'Jays's song Sunshine is a beautiful love song that is a celebration of a relationship that has stood the test of time. The lyrics express the deep affection and joy that the singer feels towards their partner. The opening lines, "You're the sweetest thing I know, you dim the rainbow's glow" describe how the partner is the source of light and happiness in the singer's life. The singer also acknowledges the strong bond between them, saying "There's no power on this Earth to separate us, baby." This highlights the unbreakable connection that they share.
The chorus, "You are my sunshine, you brighten up my darkest day, you are mine, all mine," reinforces the idea that the partner is the source of light and hope in the singer's life. The lines "When it rains on my parade, you were there to light the way, You're rare as a rose in winter, you're more, more than I deserve" further stress how much the singer treasures and values their partner who brings light to their life in times of darkness.
The song is a testament to the power of love and highlights the transformative effect that a deep connection can have on an individual's life. The lyrics are poetic, beautifully expressing the feeling of being deeply loved and cherished.
Line by Line Meaning
You're the sweetest thing I know
You are the most lovable person I have ever encountered.
You dim the rainbow's glow
Your presence is so bright and powerful that it seems to diminish the beauty of even a rainbow.
There's no power on this Earth
No force or entity in the world is capable of separating us.
To separate us, baby
Nothing can break the bond we share, my love.
'Cause you are my sunshine
You bring warmth, light, and happiness into my life, just like the sun.
You are mine, all mine
You belong to me, and no one else can lay claim to you.
When it rains on my parade
When things aren't going well for me, when I'm feeling discouraged or upset,
You were there to light the way
You are there to help me through those tough times, to remind me that hope and love still exist.
You're rare as a rose in winter
You are a precious and unique treasure, especially in difficult or trying circumstances.
You're more, more than I deserve
I am grateful for your love and affection, and I don't take it for granted.
You brighten up my darkest day
Your mere presence can dispel any gloom or darkness that may surround me.
Baby, it's you
You are the one who brings light and happiness into my life.
Words like darling
Terms of endearment like 'darling' or 'sweetheart'
Sweetheart, forever
Are meaningless without someone as special as you to attach them to.
Girl, it's you I'll always adore
Out of everyone in the world, you are the one I cherish and adore most.
They only say I love you
Others may use the phrase 'I love you,'
But you mean so much more
But my love for you runs far deeper and more meaningful than mere words could ever express.
You're my sunshine, sunshine
You are the light that guides me through the darkest days, illuminating my path with your warmth and radiance.
Baby, baby, you are mine
You belong to me, as I belong to you, and nothing can change that.
Hey, you
Hey, my love,
You're my sunshine
You brighten up my days and fill my life with joy and happiness.
You're everything
You are everything I could ever want or need in a partner.
I gotta love you sweety
I am so deeply in love with you, my sweet.
Honey, baby
You are my sweet and loving partner, my honey and my baby.
You are my sunshine
Without you, my life would be dark and gloomy, but with you, everything is bright and beautiful.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANIELS, GAMBLE, JERKINS, JERKINS III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Sexyblack8161
If we still had music like this I think the world would be a better place.
@SG-le4uw
It would
@slyn3905
Totally agree
@jacquelinephelps5500
I agree 👍
@jacquelinephelps5500
AGREE
@2314KenKen
Yes. They purposely changed the frequency of music.
@darnellwalker1183
Young People don't have a clue what real music is.
@earnestinehamilton9760
So true 💕 thay really don't no anything about good music 💕
@Mwstmrlnd
I take exception to that, as a person in my 20s. So many of my friends love this kind of music, and there's great music being made every day if you know where to listen!
@sonmychest2757
That's why music gets played in my house... born in 85 but parents were born in the 50s.