The O’Jays, Ship Ahoy | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 43^rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Ship Ahoy” by the legendary soul collective, The O’Jays.   

“Can’t you feel the motion of the ocean / Can’t you feel the cold wind blowing by? / There’s so many fish in the sea…” 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 that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 43^rd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Ship Ahoy”, performed by 🎙 The O’Jays. 

via GIPHY

🎵 “Ship Ahoy” appears as the second track off of 💿 Ship Ahoy, the 1973 critically acclaimed album by iconic soul collective, 🎙 The O’Jays.  “Ship Ahoy” is never in a rush, clocking in more than nine-and-a-half minutes in duration.  The track opens with a number of sound effects, including sound effects from a ship.  Not just any ship, of course…  Notably, the first vocals don’t enter until after the one-and-a-half minute mark. Even then, it’s mostly agonizing, expressive ad-libs as opposed to traditional vocals. Following a two-and-a-half minute build-up, “Ship Ahoy” evolves into a more traditional song.  The chorus is the first traditional section of the song heard (“Ship Ahoy! Ship Ahoy! Ship Ahoy! Ship Ahoy”).

After the chorus, we get the first verse, which sets up the intent, meaning, and theme of the song:  “As far as your eyes can see / Men, women, and baby slaves / Coming to the land of liberty.” Clearly,
“Ship Ahoy” is about the slave ships traveling to America from Africa – heavy, troubling, but truly historic, socially conscious subject matter. “They’re coming by the hundreds / They’re coming by the thousands, too,” The O’Jays sing, continuing, “Look over the horizon, see the sun / Shining down on you…” The vocals by The O’Jays are on fire – locked and loaded, baby! The authenticity and degree of soulfulness is awe inspiring.  Furthermore, the music is celestial despite the heavy subject matter! Of course, do we expect any less from the songwriting and production team of 🎼 ✍ 🎙 Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff! The palette consists of big drums, electrifying guitar, biting horns, and soaring strings. So much can be said of this 10-minute masterpiece.  That said, it is better experienced through listening rather than a written description.  🎵 “Ship Ahoy” is easily one of the very best songs from The O’Jays.

via GIPHY

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• The O’Jays, “For The Love of Money”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 27 (2023)
• Money 💵: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 13 (2023)
• 13 Songs Fueled by The Evil Green, Money 💵

🎙 The O’Jays •  💿 Ship Ahoy • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 1973

The O’Jays, “Ship Ahoy”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 43 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]