The O’Jays, I Love Music | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 150th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “I Love Music” 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 150^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “I Love Music” performed by The O’Jays.

“I love music / Any kind of music / I love music / Just as long as it’s grooving.” Those lyrics speak volumes to me.  I love ‘any kind of music’ too, but I especially heart the music of the iconic soul collective, The O’Jays.  Although renowned for the popular Philly soul sound of the 1970s, The O’Jays was formed in Canton, Ohio by Eddie Levert and Walter Williams. “I Love Music” appears on their album, Family Reunion, released in November 1975.  Family Reunion includes another personal favorite from the collective, “Stairway To Heaven”. “I Love Music (Part 1)” is the pop hit to beat from the album (“Livin’ for the Weekend” gets a nod, too).  It earned The O’Jays one of six top-10 hits.  Specifically, it peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.  On the R&B charts, “I Love Music (Part 1)” reached no. 1.  Who penned and produced this big-time soul hit? That would be the iconic duo of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.  You couldn’t go wrong with Gamble & Huff helming the track!

“Ah, ah, ah, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.” Ooh-wee! Lyrical and thematic depth is not important in “I Love Music.”  This is a carefree, danceable, fun, and funky joint! The disco is alive and well! The message is simple: music is ‘the cat’s meow!’ “Makes me laugh, makes me smile all the while / Whenever I’m with you, girl,” Levert sings joyfully in the first verse. Williams adds, “While we dance, make romance / I’m enchanted by the things that you do.” Oh, snap! Later, the O’Jays sing, “Nothing can be better than a sweet love song.” Levert adds, “Music is the healing force in the world / It’s understood by every man, woman, boy, and girl.” Facts!  Beyond the enjoyable lyrics and superb singing by Levert, Williams, and the late William Powell (1942 – 1977), the instrumental accompaniment fuels The O’Jays.  Marvelously arranged, the backdrop comprises a sickening, percussive groove (the bongos are sick), a tight rhythm section, horns, glorious strings, and vibraphone.  Whether it’s the shortened “I Love Music (Part 1)” or the full-fledged “I Love Music”, it’s both one of The O’Jays and soul’s premier cuts.

The O’Jays // Family Reunion // Sony Music Entertainment // 1975

The O’Jays, I Love Music: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 150 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]