The O’Jays, Brandy | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 129th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Brandy” by the iconic soul collective, The O’Jays.   

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 129^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Brandy” performed by The O’Jays.

“But how could it be, she ran away from me / My best friend’s gone, I’m so alone.” Aww, so sad! “Brandy” is the fifth track on So Full of Love, the 1978 album by the iconic soul collective, The O’Jays. “Brandy” was penned by Charles Simmons and Joseph Jefferson.  The Philly soul vibes they’re renowned for are in full effect: strings, primarily, and a tight rhythm section. Thom Bell, one of the great Philly soul proponents, produced the gem.  Gems do not have to be pop hits. “Brandy” impacted the pop charts modestly, peaking at no. 79 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“I thought I’d get up and take a look around, but my feet got in the way,” lead vocalist Walter Williams sings in the first verse, adding, “Stumbled to the floor, she was right in the door, I could see her face.” She is a dog.  Never underestimate the effect of man’s best friend.  Throughout, Williams sings with incredible nuance and soul.  He gets the assistance of the rest of The O’Jays (Eddie Levert and Sammy Strain) in the chorus.

“I really miss you, Brandy, I’m so all alone

When are you coming back home?

I really miss you, Brandy, missing you every day

Are you coming home to stay?”

The chorus is stellar – one for the ages. The melodies are lovely throughout “Brandy”.  The lyrics are also clever (“But I was in love when they put it down / Oh, my doorstep in the rain / I could feel it coming to my heart, through my window pane”).  The O’Jays excelled at making hits. “Brandy” wasn’t another top 40 hit, but, it is one of their best songs.  Williams eats those lead vocals up!

The O’Jays // So Full of Love // Sony Music Entertainment // 1978

The O’Jays, Brandy: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 129 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]