Al Green, L-O-V-E- (Love) | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 88^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “L-O-V-E (Love)” by Memphis soul and gospel icon, Al Green.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 88^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “L-O-V-E (Love)” performed by Al Green. 

“I started to write this song about you / And then I decided that I would write it all about love.” Word! In case you didn’t know, Al Green is Love, or so the iconic Memphis soul and gospel singer/songwriter asserts on his 1975 album.  Al Green kicks off the love-driven album with “L-O-V-E (Love)”. Fitting! “L-O-V-E” was written by Green, the late Mabon “Teenie” Hodges, and the late producer, Willie Mitchell.  The backdrop is immaculate. The strings are gorgeous, adding warmth. At times, some of the string riffs are playful too. The horns are punchy, giving the backdrop bite. Meanwhile, the organ amplifies the soul, bringing in the sounds of the church.  Can I get an amen? The bass is big and fat, while the drums anchor.  The instrumental alone was enough to make “L-O-V-E” impact the pop charts.  It reached no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The instrumental is awesome, period. Even more awesome is the star of the show, Al Green! Green is one of the greatest singers of all time, something he shows on “L-O-V-E (Love).” His tone is, to quote him, “Simply Beautiful”. Early on, he sings with ease, never breaking a sweat, particularly as he ascends the octave melodically. “I can’t explain this feeling / Can’t you see that salvation is freeing,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “It’s all in the heavens, can’t you see?” In the chorus (varies each iteration), he is grittier, yet still never forces things.  He is supported by harmonized background vocals – always a V-I-B-E!

“To give you love (love)

Love is a flower in my soul (Oh love)

Love is a story that just can’t be told (Love)

Can’t you feel it burning more and more? (Love)

Stop and look at the big wheel roll.”

Thematically and lyrically, “L-O-V-E (Love)” is on-point too.  Matters of the heart never grow old.  Also, the spiritual perspective of love, touched upon by Green, is compelling. Approaching 50 years after “L-O-V-E (Love)” arrived it is still memorable and potent.  This is one of Green’s best, PERIOD.

Al Green // Al Green is Love // Hi / Fat Possum // 1975

Al Green, L-O-V-E (Love): Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 88 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Hi / Fat Possum; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via  Pixabay]