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The Stairsteps, The Five Stairsteps
About O-o-h Child
"O-o-h Child" is a 1970 single recorded by Chicago soul family group the Five Stairsteps and released on the Buddah label. The Five Stairsteps had previous peripheral success recording in Chicago with Curtis Mayfield; when Mayfield's workload precluded his continuing to work with the group they were reassigned to Stan Vincent, an in-house producer for Buddah Records, who had recently scored a Top Ten hit with the Lou Christie single "I'm Gonna Make You Mine". The Five Stairsteps' debut collaboration with Vincent was originally formatted with the group's rendition of "Dear Prudence" as the A-side with Vincent's original composition "O-o-h Child" as B-side. However, "O-o-h Child" broke out in the key markets of Philadelphia and Detroit to rise as high as #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1970. The track's R&B chart impact was more muted with a #14 peak, although "O-o-h Child" is now regarded as a "soft soul" classic. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 21 song of 1970. The Five Stairsteps' only pop Top 40 hit, "O-o-h Child" would be the group's last R&B top 40 hit (they had several top 40 R&B hits in the 1960s) until 1976's "From Us to You". Included on the band's The Stairsteps album from 1970, it has become the Stairsteps' signature song and has inspired more than twenty covers since its release. The song featured various members, including lone female member and eldest sister Alohe, brothers Keni, Dennis, James, lead singer Clarence Burke, Jr. singing in various parts of the song, and also drummer Jerome Brailey on the original recording.more »
- Year:
- 1993
- 2:54
- 89Views
- Playlists:
- #2
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Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Ooh childThings are gonna get easierOoh childThings'll get brighterSome day, yeahWe'll get it together and we'll get it all doneSome dayWhen your head is much lighterSome day, yeahWe'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sunSome dayWhen the world is much brighterOoh childThings are gonna be easierOoh childThings'll be brighterSome day, yeahWe'll get it together and we'll get it all doneSome dayWhen your head is much lighterSome day, yeahWe'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sunSome dayWhen the world is much brighter
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The Five Stairsteps
The Five Stairsteps, known as "The First Family of Soul" and later "The Invisible Man's Band", was an American Chicago soul group made up of five of Betty and Clarence Burke Sr.'s six children: Alohe Jean, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis, and Kenneth "Keni", and briefly, Cubie. They are best known for the 1970 song "O-o-h Child", listed at number 402 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. more »
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Written by: Stan Vincent
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Historical Significance"O-o-h Child" was listed at number 392 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004. This shows the lasting popularity and iconic status of the song. |
Chart SuccessThe song has reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970, attaining the 8th spot. |
Composition Details"O-o-h Child" was written by Stan Vincent. It is notable for its uplifting lyrics that promise better times ahead. |
Music ArrangementThe song's unique sound comes from its employment of the electric sitar, an unconventional rock instrument, providing a distinctive and recognizable tone. |
Cover VersionsNumerous artists have covered "O-o-h Child" over the years, reflecting its profound impact on the music industry. Some notable covers have been done by artists like Nina Simone, Hall & Oates, and Kelly Rowland. |
Usage in Film & TVThe song has been featured prominently in numerous films and television shows, including "Boyz n the Hood," "Guardians of the Galaxy," and "The Simpsons". |
Cultural ImpactIn 2020, the song "O-o-h Child" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, proving its cultural and historical significance. |
The BandThe Five Stairsteps, the group behind the song, was a Chicago-based band, comprised of five siblings. They were once dubbed as "The First Family of Soul”. |
Original ReleaseThe song was originally released by Buddah Records in 1970. |
Sample UsageSeveral hip hop artists have sampled "O-o-h Child," including artists like Tupac Shakur, Kanye West, and Drake. This highlights the versatility and enduring appeal of the song in contemporary music. |
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