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.
White Christmas
The O'Jays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
White Christmas
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten (glisten)
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas' be white
Ooh, white Christmas
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days, may your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas' be white
Well, may your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas' be white (white Christmas)
I'm dreamin', dreamin' of the bells (white Christmas, white Christmas)
Treetops glisten (white Christmas), children listen
To hear the bells (white Christmas), call out (white Christmas)
Dreamin', with every card I write
Dreamin' (white Christmas)
May your days be merry and bright
The O'Jays version of "White Christmas" is a popular holiday song that celebrates the joys of Christmas. This song is a tribute to cherished memories of childhood Christmases, in which the singer yearns for a white Christmas experience that he used to know. The phrase "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" is repeated over and over again throughout the song, reinforcing the dream-like quality of the memories that the singer is recalling. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a winter wonderland, in which the treetops have a diamond-like sparkle and children lie in peaceful wonder while waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. The song implies that Christmas is not just about presents, but also about love, warmth, and sharing.
Overall, "White Christmas" is a sentimental song that captures the spirit of the holiday season. It is a reminder that Christmas is a special time of year that should be approached with a sense of wonder and joy. Through its repeated refrain and vivid imagery, the song encourages listeners to hold dear their own memories of Christmases past and to cherish the people and traditions that make the holiday so unique.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I'm dreaming (ooh)
White Christmas
I am wishing for a Christmas covered with snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten (glisten)
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I long for a white Christmas, similar to the ones I enjoyed in the past, where the snow-covered trees shine and kids eagerly await the sound of bells ringing from a passing sleigh.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas' be white
As I write my Christmas wishes through cards, I imagine a snow-covered and bright holiday season for everyone to enjoy.
Ooh, white Christmas
Ah, the idea of a white Christmas
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days, may your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas' be white
Once again, I am dreaming of a white Christmas, and my hope is for everyone's days to be happy and cheerful, and for every Christmas celebration to be covered with snow.
Well, may your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas' be white (white Christmas)
I wish everyone a holiday season filled with joy and happiness and, of course, a white Christmas as well.
I'm dreamin', dreamin' of the bells (white Christmas, white Christmas)
Treetops glisten (white Christmas), children listen
To hear the bells (white Christmas), call out (white Christmas)
Dreamin', with every card I write
Dreamin' (white Christmas)
May your days be merry and bright
My dreams are full of the sound of bells ringing, the shining of snow-covered trees, and the anticipation of children waiting to hear the bells. With every card I write, I imagine these scenes, and I hope that everyone can experience a happy and bright holiday season.
Writer(s): Berlin Irving
Contributed by Riley M. 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!