The O’Jays, I Swear, I Love No One but You | Throwback Vibez

In the 57th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “I Love No One but You” by iconic Philly 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 57^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “I Love No One but You” performed by The O’Jays.

“Wood that’s wet will never burn… / Until you dry it / Baby, then you try it.” Hmm, thought-provoking, The O’Jays. So, what is the point? “Love is like that too / One won’t do, it’s gotta be me and you.” The Philly soul collective has matters of the heart on their mind.  That is something that Eddie Levert and Walter Williams Sr. have excelled at throughout The O’Jay’s illustrious career.  The love-oriented song at hand, “I Swear, I Love No One but You”, is the seventh track from their 1976 album, Message In The Music. This non-single was written by the late great Bunny Sigler (1941 – 2017).

To reiterate, “I Swear, I Love No One but You” was a non-single.  Only two singles were released from Message In The Music.  It is a shame, considering how strong the penultimate record is.  It thrives off its slow, relaxed tempo, lush, soulful backdrop (the orchestra and rhythm section), and dynamic vocals.  The lead vocals (Levert) are top-notch – commanding, oozing with soul. “Let me love you tenderly, tenderly, tenderly, tenderly,” he sings in the second verse, continuing, “We need each other / Baby, I’m your lover.”  The background vocals are no slouch either, filling things out with decadent harmonies. The chorus is sublime: 

“‘Cause I swear I love no one but you

Honey, no one will do, oh

I swear I love no one but you

Honey, no one will ever do.”   

Beyond the chorus, another ‘award-winning’ moment is the ending.  The tempo increases, launching into a full-on disco.  It feels right! “I Swear, I Love No One but You” deserved much more love all said and done.  Notably, it has been sampled by “Get Down Like That” by Ne-Yo,  “No One Will Do” by Mary J. Blige, and “My Name Is Leak Jones” by Lil Wayne. “Swear” is an underrated Philly soul classic.

The O’Jays // Message In The Music // Sony Music Entertainment // 1976

The O’Jays, I Swear, I Love No One but You: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 57 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]