THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

648-The O’Jays-Love Train.

1973-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 2.25. While appearing on the legendary American music television programme ‘Soul Train,’The O’Jays were asked if this song was inspired by ‘Soul Train,’ they replied ‘yes,’ but of course they were just being nice.

The O’Jays were formed in 1958, in Canton, Ohio, United States, by Eddie Levert, Walter Lee Williams, William Powell (1942-1977) Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles (1941-2019.) They were originally known as ‘The Mascots,’ and then ‘The Triumphs,’ before deciding on ‘The O’Jays,’they took the name in tribute to the Cleveland radio DJ, Eddie O’Jay. Between 1960-1972 they released five studio Albums, and 33 singles, with their biggest success coming in 1965 with ‘Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette’) which peaked at Number 48 on Billboard.Shortly before their big breakthrough, when being signed by ‘Philadelphia International ‘ records, the quintet had become a trio with the departure of Bill Isles, and Bobby Massey. The legendary song writing team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (see also best songs 1001-725-604 and 322) had formed the ‘Philadelphia International’ label in 1971, and would work with the O’Jays, writing, and producing their next eight studio Albums, through until 1979.

‘Love Train’ was taken from the O’Jays 1972 debut Album for ‘Philadelphia International,’ ‘Backstabbers,’ coincidentally the single entered the Billboard top 40 on January 27th, 1973,the same day that the agreement on ending the war, and restoring peace in Vietnam was signed, and went on to become the O’Jays only Number 1 song on Billboard.

‘All of you brothers in Africa, tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel too. Please don’t miss this train at the station, ’cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you.’