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.
You're the One
The O'Jays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You filled my heart
With joy and happiness
You bring to me your best
I love you so
And you've got to know
Stay by my side for always
You are the one
I can feel it deep down in my heart
You are the one
You're the only girl for me
Finally love is here
And knowing it's all sincere
With every breath I take
And knowing the love we make
'Cause I need your love
Just to see, just to see me through
I'll be your friend, always, till the end
You are the one
I can feel it deep down in my heart
You are the one
You're the only girl for me
You are the one
I don't think I ever need anybody but you girl
I can feel it deep down in my soul
You are the one
You're the only girl for me
I can feel it all over me
You are the one
You're the only one for me
You're the only girl for me
I don't want nobody
I don't need nobody
I don't want nobody but you
I don't want nobody
I don't need nobody
I don't want nobody but you
I can feel it deep down in my soul
You're the only girl for me
I can feel it deep down in my soul
The O'Jays's song You're the One is a declaration of love and commitment to one person. The lyrics convey the happiness and joy that the person brings to the singer's life. The song starts with the singer expressing how the person filled their heart with joy and brought the best to them from the very start. It is clear that the singer is deeply in love and wants the person to know that they will always be by their side.
The chorus of the song repeats "You are the one" several times, emphasizing the singer's belief that this person is the one for them. The lyrics show that the love is sincere and true, and the singer wants to be with this person forever. The singer admits that they need this person's love to get through anything and that they will always be friends until the end.
The final part of the song repeats "I don't want nobody but you" several times, showing that the singer is committed to this person and doesn't need anyone else. The lyrics also show that the singer feels this love deep down in their soul, emphasizing the depth of their feelings for this person.
Overall, The O'Jays's song You're the One is a beautiful declaration of love and commitment. It shows that true love exists and that when you find the right person, they can bring joy and happiness to your life.
Line by Line Meaning
From the very start
Since the start of our relationship
You filled my heart
You made me feel complete
With joy and happiness
You brought me happiness and joy in my life
You bring to me your best
You always give your best to me
I love you so
I have strong feelings of love towards you
And you've got to know
You need to be aware of my love for you
Stay by my side for always
I want you to be with me forever
You are the one
You're the person I love the most
I can feel it deep down in my heart
I feel it strongly within me
You're the only girl for me
You're the only woman I want
Finally love is here
I have finally found true love
And knowing it's all sincere
I know that our love is real
With every breath I take
I feel our love within me every moment
And knowing the love we make
I'm aware of the love we share
'Cause I need your love
I need your love to make me complete
Just to see, just to see me through
I need your love to help me overcome challenges
I'll be your friend, always, till the end
I'll always be your friend and lover
I don't think I ever need anybody but you girl
I only need you in my life
You're the only one for me
You're the only person I want to be with
I can feel it all over me
I feel it strongly all around me
I don't want nobody
I don't want anyone else
I don't need nobody
I don't need anyone else
I can feel it deep down in my soul
I feel it strongly within my soul
Contributed by Riley O. 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!