The decade of the 70s gave us so many genres of music that was so exceptional, you could react to the 70s for the next year and a half and never get old! This is another great song from the decade, and I can personally say it brings back very positive memories.
I saw this Great and Talented group at " The Freedom Show I. PHILLY PA. Other performers were J J. Jackson, Maxine Brown , The Intruders , The Mad Lads... there was a variety of Artist. Marvin Gaye was the Featured Artist The Five Stairsteps were Great ! " PEACE & BLESSINGS EVERYONE "
@@alamc200 don’t let the eighties fool you. There were a lot of songs with upbeat and light hearted music with some of the darkest most dreary lyrics. I do agree however that the last decade with genuine happy tunes was the eighties.
Songs like this one were all over the radio, and in movies. As a child born in the mid 60s and listening to this, I had reason to believe that our world was progressing. Sadly, I feel like we failed our children and left harder work to be done still. This song cannot help but expand your heart.
A few years before this song came out, Janis Ian released the song Society’s Child, which accurately reflected the vast majority of society’s attitude towards interracial marriage. Today for the vast majority of society, interracial marriage is no big deal. When this song came out in 1970, the Five Stairsteps’ hometown of Chicago was the most racially segregated city in America. Now Chicago has an African American mayor, chief of police and fire commissioner, the Chicago Public Schools superintendent is Hispanic, and the President of Cook County (which really is just Chicago) is African American. I would call that significant progress.
It’s crazy to me that not everyone already knows this song 🤣 It’s such a classic that it’s always just been a part of my life ♥️ Awesome message and great harmonies ❤
The Five Stairsteps are a family group named because they're born right after one another. The Wonder Years used this as it season ending song. The first part..."Oooooh child..." is actually sung by the female of the family. The other part is sung by the writer of the song.
Fun fact: This group got their name from their mother, who when she saw them all stand next to each other from smallest to tallest, said they looked like five stairsteps. Great one hit wonder from the 70's. Love it.
Yep....also known as The First Family of Soul! Five siblings from a family of six.....with the only girl singing the first lines🎼! Btw...there's an excellent live performance of this on Soul Train🕺!
You're so right Amber this song came out in the years of the Vietnam war, Martin Luther King had been killed two years earlier and riots and protests. This song came out the Spring of the Kent State University student strike and shootings..Looked a lot like our current world. Only five months earlier Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were gunned down in cold blood by 14 police officers in Chicago - where the Stairsteps are from. So this song was a comforting, soothing balm of hope to my 12 year old soul back then. Things did get better.
Thanks for reacting to "o-o -o Child" tonight. It was my wife's favorite song. She passed on 9 years ago, but hearing it always makes me smile and remember. Thanks again Jay & Amber!
This song is a War Cry for the downtrodden. The people who struggle to make ends meet or struggle for any reason. So many people FEEL this song. I know I do every time.
Jay & Amber, beautiful song from 5 siblings!! 1970. The Five Stairsteps: Lead vocals by Alohe Burke, Clarence Burke Jr., Keni Burke; Backing vocals by James Burke, Dennis Burke. Musicians: Guitars by Hugh McCracken and Clarence Burke Jr., Bass by Keni Burke, Keyboards by Richard Tee, Drums by Bernard Purdie. They had more than a dozen top 40 hits on the US R&B chart!
I’m ashamed I had no idea this iconic song was sung by siblings! And even more ashamed to learn that one of those siblings was Keni Burke, who had a solo hit with the also classic “Keep Risin’ to the Top” 🤯
Thanks for the lineup. I always have wondered who the band was, especially the drummer, because they are so tight. Purdie is one of the all time greats.
That is what is so great about music it brings people together that you would not expect and that is why I love watching your reactions to all of this good music . I guess with being older it is hard too believe some people have never heard the oldies and we are blessed to see you hear it for the first time thank you.
I saw them perform a couple of times in my hometown of Brooklyn, New York back in the mid 1960's. Their sound resonated with me immediately when I first heard them sing "You waited too long". I could also relate to them because I was in high school at the time and the same age as Clarence. Be sure to check out "Danger she's a stranger" and "Baby make me feel so good". They were quite a group!
Oh yes, they were they headlined at the Apollo Theater a couple of times too! Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children. He passed away a few years ago at the young age of 94 RIP!
Chicago soul group,known as the First Family of soul made up of five siblings whose father had retired from the Chicago Police Department to manage his talented kids
After the Five Stairsteps they formed a band in 1978 called The Invisible Man's Band and had a R&B top 10 single "All Night Thing" in 1980. Keni then did solo work. "All Night Thing" is a groove.👍
He was the first black detective on the force and was shot in the line of duty, with his kids by his bedside he decided to quit the police force and focus on his kid's career as their manager.....I met him once he was a really nice Man however, he once went out into the audience and slapped the hell out of a guy who spat on his children, while they were on stage performing🤣 RIP Clearance Burke Sr...Hes 94 when he passed a few years ago!
❤️❤️❤️❤️. Here is a brief summary of this prolific group. The Five Stairsteps, known as "The First Family of Soul" Was a group of five siblings, 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. Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin remade the song 10 years ago. I remember growing up listening to the song and I thought it was so beautiful. Every time I hear the song I weep a little bit-just a little bit of hope and joy comes from the song even to this very day. Thank you for reviewing it.
@eileendobbs8009: The group recorded in Chicago, between 1965-1970. They were well known in the black community. Black radio played their songs (notably, WVON-AM 1450). They were on the R&B charts. Their only crossover song was "O-o-h Child" in 1970, and it was the "B" side!
Main Ingredient ~ Just Don't Want To Be Lonely, Jackson Sisters ~ I Believe In Miracles, Johnnie Taylor ~ Cheaper To Keep Her, Foster Sylvers ~ Misdemeanor, Jackson 5 ~ I Am Love, Tavares ~ Whodunit, Rance Allen Group ~ Lyin' On The Truth, Slave ~ Slide, Brighter Side Of Darkness ~ Love Jones, The Temptations ~ Glasshouse, Pointer Sisters ~ Yes We Can Can, Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams ~ Too Much Too Little Too Late
If you want to see them live, they performed on Soul Train and the song was released in April of 1970. And yes, you're absolutely correct, it's still relevant even today. So anywho, The Five Stairsteps were the First Family of Soul, five siblings consisting of 1 sister and 4 brothers from Chicago, IL and came out in 1967 and the first voice you hear is their sister Alohe Jean Burke. And then her brothers. I love the fact you two are playing these important relevant timeless jewels of music.
Yes, that was and still is a great song! Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children. He passed away a few years ago at the young age of 94 RIP!
Yes, I do know them well they are the most upstanding family I have ever met; I had a real crush on Aloha although she was many years older than me.@@りょう-Maltese
Came out in 1970 and I remember back then some of our inner city churches the one I went to as a matter of fact sang it during the youth service. Speaking of that, there is a movie the two of you would love that you really should see and has a lot of music cuz it's a musical that came out in 1973 called "Godspell".
@@bloppysloppy2283 but if you've read the Word it won't, not until we enter into The Kingdom. Prophecy has never been wrong. Hence why we sang it in church in a different meaning.
Highly recommend a cult 70s movie called " over the edge". It closes with this song. No other movie captures what it was actually like to be a teenager in the 70s. There is a lot of good music throughout. It's a drama and was Matt Dillons 1st movie
There's nothing like good ol' 70s soul. It was a perfect song in the movie Crooklyn. Btw, you guys should watch Crooklyn, Do the Right Thing, and any number of other Spike Lee movies.
Around 1966 they were really young. I remember "You Waited Too Long" "World of Fantasy", "Come Back". They did others but they were young and life happens. Might have led the way for The Jackson 5.
This song evokes a beautiful memory of a man I loved as a brother, we went to grammar school together, and he passed away from AIDS long ago. When the song came out, I told him this song was about us. Thank you for reacting too it. Your expressions of joy brought tears to my eyes! ✌️🎶💙
The layering of vocals in this song is absolutely beautiful...and then it goes to just one voice. What a classic, amazing song. Here's to praying that one day, things will get brighter!
I couldn't love this song more. Although released in 1970, it was still in the era of Vietnam and the civil rights movement, when messages of peace and love were in the air. I miss the positivity of those days. Despite the bad things that were happening, there was a sense we could change the world. Somehow, a lot of people got cynical and the loving energy of the hippie years dissipated. I wish we as a society could regain some of the spirit of those times.
Thanks for reminding me of this song. It was on the radio when I was a child & I remember feeling like it was an inspirational message for me as a child & it made me aware of the injustice of that time and the hope that things would be better & that I could be a part of it getting better. It’s still got an underlying sadness - at least to me - because many things aren’t better. But it also communicates the potential that we all have within us to make things better. I hope Amber & J will play it for their kids because it is a song/message that means a lot to the little ones of the world who don’t feel like they have a lot of power as children but this song says yes you do. 💓
So glad for your review. I was 10 years old when this was released. It is amazing now…can you fathom what it must’ve been like for those of us who actually heard it “live”? We’d experienced 2 Kennedys gone, Malcolm X, MLK, Vietnam, trouble brewing for the Panthers, on and on. The context of time, as you pointed out, is POWERFUL.
I love watching y’all! You often remind me of songs I had forgotten about….this is NOT one I would ever forget, however. 😂 I truly respect your honest thoughts & feelings.
My older sister had this 45 rpm vinyl record, so I've known this song since I was a child. But I never understood the weight of the message nor the poignancy of this song until I was an adult. Amber, you locked into its power almost immediately I could tell. Everyone's right that this song & performance should be much more widely renowned.
Love this song and never knew who did it. Thank you! :) Made me remember another from back in the day called "Up, Up, and Away" by the 5th Dimension. You did their "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" a while back. Another you might like, though a bit more recent, is "I Love You" by Climax Blues Band, which I don't recall you doing yet :)
With a song like this, one would expect they would have a had a long a successful career but they turned out to be a one hit wonder. Fun Fact: drummer Jerome “Big Foot” Brailey later joined Parliament and was featured during their commercial peak. He was the primary writer of “Tear The Roof Off (Give Up the Funk”. Bassist Keni Burke would later form The Invisible Man’s Band with some of his siblings from The Stairsteps which had a big dance/disco hit in 1980 with All Night Thing. As solo artist he did the original version of Keep Rising to The Top, covered by Pieces of a Dream and interpolated by Doug E. Fresh. The song is a stepper’s classic. Keni Burke later became an in demand session bassist and producer.
We've all said it a million times, but...they don't make music like this anymore. These days, you can't tell one artist from another. when you hear ELO, or CCR, you know right from the start who it is, unlike the canned" music of today. Everyone had their own style, and sounded different from everyone else. Thanks
O-o-h Child "O-o-h Child" is a 1970 single, written by Stan Vincent, recorded by Chicago soul family group the Five Stairsteps and released on the Buddah label. Genre: Chicago soul Length: 3:11 Label: Buddah
The Five Stairsteps, who preceded The Jackson 5, consisted of a group of four Brothers and their sister - each a year apart from each other, and included Keni Burke (known for "Keep Rising To The Top"). Famous for, not only "Ooh Child" but "Baby Make Me Feel So Good", "Danger, She's A Stranger", "We Must Be In Love", Don't Change Your Love", "Hush Child" and "All Night Thang", which they released under the name 'Invisible Man's Band", they had a mature sound and tight harmonies (and their drummer was no joke!) To see them perform this on TV, where you can see which member is singing what, go to: .ua-cam.com/video/sGpC5IvKaLA/v-deo.html. Thanks for choosing to review this song with this powerful and universal message!
The StairSteps beat out the Jackson 5 @ the Regal Theater in Chicago and won a recording contract with Curtis Mayfeilds company, Motown offered them a contract but their Father turned it down. (He didn't like what was going on there) Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children.
Thanks for a listen to this lovely song! My uncle was a dj from age 16 until he died some 50+ years later. When someone in the family had a birthday, he'd ask what song they wanted to hear and play it for them. I often chose this song. Nice to hear it today.
I'm so glad you reacted to this, it's one of my favorite songs of all time. I look forward to your videos EVERY DAY and I am a subscriber. Not sure if anyone has ever suggested this song to you, or if there's a video UA-cam will allow you to post, but here goes: Father and Daughter, by Paul Simon I'm a dad of two girls and this song makes me smile every single time. Thanks for keeping great music alive and spreading good vibes every day.
A one-hit wonder, but it was a good one. Another one-hit wonder that also has a steps-oriented name and a similar great message is Spiral Staircase. "More Today Than Yesterday" is a song that would probably encapsulate your relationship--with plenty of horns as well!!
I also like the songs "I'm Doin' Fine Now" by New York City, "Show and Tell" by Al Wilson and "Everybody Plays The Fool" by The Main Ingredient. They would enjoy these as well
This song is middle 70s, around 1974 if I have to guess. I was in college when it came out. Young lady you are so right about the drums. This is about the best job on the drums I have ever heard on a popular music song. It is intergraded into the song in a way that it supplements the song without being a drum solo, and the drummer is killing it. I was saying this back in the 1970s and still say it. One of the best drumming I've every heard.
@timothysteele1963: The year was 1970. It was in the summer. "O-o-h Child" is the "B" side. It became a huge hit when a DJ turned it over to see what it sounded like......the rest is history.
Great song. You'll see from other comments that they were a family group, but later one brother in the group, guitarist Clarence Burke, got together with some other musicians and continued as the Invisible Man's Band. I think they only made two albums under that name, but they had a hit in 1979 called "All Night Long" that you might like. Another brother, Keni, had a hit in the early 80s (that I think you played!) called "Risin' To The Top."
They did not react to "Risin" To The Top" by Keni. They did react to a Solomon Burke song "Cry To Me" months ago. "Risin' To The Top" from 1982 reminds me of another song from 82 by D Train "Keep On". They would love the message in this song also. "Keep On" is also a great uplifting song if not motivating.
Song came out in spring of 1970 and become enmeshed in popular culture, incorporating in movies and done by many groups. There performance on Soul Train is quite memorable. Most folks who were around that time could attest to its staying power. Considered politically relevant around the serious struggles occuring, of a hope that things will get better.
Chicago’s own; south side of Chicago, Harlan High School students. This was their biggest cut and Alohe, the sister, took the lead on this song. Usually Clarence RIP was the lead. They came before The Jackson 5; and did not have the Motown machine pushing them. They were a huge thing in Chicago. Years later, they morphed into The Invisible Man’s Band (All Night Thing). Keni Burke went solo and had a hit with the Keep Riding to the Top.
The StairSteps beat out the Jackson 5 @ the Regal Theater in Chicago and won a recording contract with Curtis Mayfeilds company, Motown offered them a contract but their Father turned it down. (He didn't like what was going on there) Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children.
The Five Stairsteps had that old school flavor going strong. Before the Jackson Five, The Sylvers, Debarge, Sister Sledge, Pointer Sisters and the Gap Band,etc. They go back a ways. Great group, great song!
The StairSteps beat out the Jackson 5 @ the Regal Theater in Chicago and won a recording contract with Curtis Mayfeilds company, Motown offered them a contract but their Father turned it down. (He didn't like what was going on there) Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children.
@@TheTruthcometh I didn't know that. But other than Keni Burke, who else of the family continued to be involved in music. I wanted The StairSteps to keep making music. They certainly had the talent.
@@rosemarywatson1231 Well Clearance continued touring and singing their old hits until he passed away at the age of 64, other than Clearance and Kenny no other group member continued to make music. James AKA Blade passed away a few years ago at 70 and their Father passed away before him at 94. Kenny, Dennis, and Aloha are the only group members still alive and living in the Atlanta area, their Mother is doing fine as well....Yes they had the talent😎
Keni Burke!!! Bassist and Vocalist extraordinaire! Five Stairsteps, Billy Preston, Sly Stone, DJ Roger’s, Invisible Man’s band, Risin to the top and much more.Thanks for jammin this. I’m going on tour with him soon please check out Keni’s solo stuff!!! Peace
I love what you're doing here. My first time seeing you. I'm an old white dude and musician (66 in two days, can't believe that!), and when this song came out, I was 12. It lit me up with a feeling that we could really make this a world without racism (which even as a kid I had seen knocking down my black buddies, which pissed me off) and a world with hope. And inspired me to keep drumming and lifting spirits with music, and later, as a psychologist working with famiies of color in shelters, paying back (happily) my debt to African American creativity for filling my soul with music. Please keeping doing what youre doing -- everyone needs to hear the music from the 60s and early 70s, which had a lot more hope and a lot less cynicism than today. Not to say that what's happening today is music is wrong -- every era of music responds to the vibe of the time --- but as ya'll said, and others (like Bryan Stevenson, the incredible lawyer who gets Black kids out of adult prisions and Black men unjustly accused of crimes off of death row), we gotta have hope, we gotta come together, we goitta keep on fighting for justice -- and music gives the energy to do it.
In a recent reaction you guys asked if there's a vocalist during the 80s synth pop days.....yes....you have not reacted to Howard Jones yet. Amazing keyboard player , incredible vocalist and amazing songwriter not to mention incredibly entertaining on stage. Start with the song Life In One Day , or Things Can Only Get Better. You won't be disappointed
Many 60s and 70s lyrics had this message. One of my favorites is "Everyday People" by Sly and the Family Stone. Ray Stevens "Everything Is Beautiful" is another good song from the times. We did come together in the 60s, people from all skin colors, all neighborhoods, north/ south, east and west. We came together for the cause of freedom for all people and we won.
Thanks so much for reminding me of this song. As soon as I saw the song name, the tune & chorus popped into my head even though I had no recollection of the group's name.
These cats later became the Invisible Man’s Band with a couple of club hits “All Night Thing” and “Love Can’t Come”. Keni scored a big hit on his own with “Risin To The Top”
You know your 5 StairSteps history! Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children. He passed away a few years ago at the young age of 94 RIP!
The first family of soul.Soooo Soooo underrated you wanna talk about harmonies this is your group. Got the name from their mother who said when they were all lined up altogether they looked like stairs Started recording in the mid 60s. They entered a talent contest and the J5 we're also entered in the same show Stairsteps won first place. Prize a contract with Motown, but the father turned it down because Motown would not give them more freedom in writing & producing their own material. So they singed with the great Curtis Mayfield on his windy city record label. Curtis wrote & produced a lot of their recording. But a lot of the songs were written by lead singer a young Clarence Burke Jr. the father did co write some of their recording as well as play bass guitar and their father did have more say in the group. J5 are a great group, but the fivestair steps now your talking sweet soul have a huge catalog of songs just a sampling of some of their recording. A world of fantasy, Danger she a stranger You waited to long Come back. And their incredible version of ooh baby baby and one of my favorite You make me so mad One of my all time favorite groups ✌️
Looks like you know your Five StairSteps history! Man, I was in love with Aloha although she was many years older than I was back then, she's now 75 years old she was Soooooooo cute🤣
The decade of the 70s gave us so many genres of music that was so exceptional, you could react to the 70s for the next year and a half and never get old! This is another great song from the decade, and I can personally say it brings back very positive memories.
No way the net 10 Years,
Exactly
So true. Rock, rhythm & blues, funk, singer-songwriter, country, "pop".
I saw this Great and Talented group at " The Freedom Show I. PHILLY PA.
Other performers were J J. Jackson, Maxine Brown , The Intruders , The Mad Lads... there was a variety of Artist.
Marvin Gaye was the Featured Artist
The Five Stairsteps were Great !
" PEACE & BLESSINGS EVERYONE "
They are the talented Burke Family!❤
What's missing today, compared to back then, is music of hope!
So true. The last few decades music has been overcome with depression and fear. Need more uplifting and hopeful tunes.
@@andydurazo5337 Yes, I think the depression and fear started in the 1990s, because I remember many happy fun songs in the 1980s.
Hope has left the building
@@alamc200 don’t let the eighties fool you. There were a lot of songs with upbeat and light hearted music with some of the darkest most dreary lyrics. I do agree however that the last decade with genuine happy tunes was the eighties.
Facts AMEN
Sounds as good as it did 50 years ago. Never gets old. With all the crap going on in the world, we need songs like this.
Songs like this one were all over the radio, and in movies. As a child born in the mid 60s and listening to this, I had reason to believe that our world was progressing. Sadly, I feel like we failed our children and left harder work to be done still. This song cannot help but expand your heart.
🥺🥺🥺
With ya.
A few years before this song came out, Janis Ian released the song Society’s Child, which accurately reflected the vast majority of society’s attitude towards interracial marriage. Today for the vast majority of society, interracial marriage is no big deal. When this song came out in 1970, the Five Stairsteps’ hometown of Chicago was the most racially segregated city in America. Now Chicago has an African American mayor, chief of police and fire commissioner, the Chicago Public Schools superintendent is Hispanic, and the President of Cook County (which really is just Chicago) is African American. I would call that significant progress.
I was born in '61 and I can totally relate to these sentiments.
Born in late 50s, and this was well said.
It’s crazy to me that not everyone already knows this song 🤣 It’s such a classic that it’s always just been a part of my life ♥️ Awesome message and great harmonies ❤
Ohh I so remember very well this gem of a song from my youth,,, it has so much richness in melody & meaning!! Luv it so much too
First heard it in Boyz in the Hood.
50 year old song,thanks for bringing back teenage memories.
I feel the same way about this song and soooo many others
They had many hits Oh Child just happened to be their biggest!
I love it when Amber spouts wisdom - like she pulls the words from our souls 👍
I was raised a Catholic and lost the faith long time ago. But Amber reaches my soul the way no priest ever could
She is so eloquent; a young woman with a beautiful old soul.
@@jannieg-85 Yes - and that is also why she is drawn so much to the tunes from before her time
Amber always “Gets it” when describing music.
She really does do her homework
The Five Stairsteps are a family group named because they're born right after one another.
The Wonder Years used this as it season ending song.
The first part..."Oooooh child..." is actually sung by the female of the family. The other part is sung by the writer of the song.
I remember that episode
It also played in the Spike Lee joint Crooklyn
And Starchild sung it on Guardians of the Galaxy
I loved that show!
Im sure I once saw a record label naming the group 5 stairsteps and Cubie,,,, so maybe the daughter is called Cubie...
Fun fact:
This group got their name from their mother, who when she saw them all stand next to each other from smallest to tallest, said they looked like five stairsteps. Great one hit wonder from the 70's. Love it.
More than a one-hit wonder. A large number of top-40 songs
And don't forget Cubie.
Yep....also known as The First Family of Soul! Five siblings from a family of six.....with the only girl singing the first lines🎼! Btw...there's an excellent live performance of this on Soul Train🕺!
Didn't I blow your mind....love don't let me be lonely are a couple of songs by them you missed.
But there are 6 of them.. ♠W.G.
Yay!! Another great song! This song always made me feel hopeful, like a big hug! One of my favorites definitely! 🥲🥰👍🏻💜
You're so right Amber this song came out in the years of the Vietnam war, Martin Luther King had been killed two years earlier and riots and protests. This song came out the Spring of the Kent State University student strike and shootings..Looked a lot like our current world. Only five months earlier Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were gunned down in cold blood by 14 police officers in Chicago - where the Stairsteps are from. So this song was a comforting, soothing balm of hope to my 12 year old soul back then. Things did get better.
Thanks for reacting to "o-o -o Child" tonight. It was my wife's favorite song. She passed on 9 years ago, but hearing it always makes me smile and remember. Thanks again Jay & Amber!
She lives in your heart forever❣
This song is a War Cry for the downtrodden. The people who struggle to make ends meet or struggle for any reason. So many people FEEL this song. I know I do every time.
I played this for my sons when my dad passed because we all loved him.
Jay & Amber, beautiful song from 5 siblings!! 1970.
The Five Stairsteps: Lead vocals by Alohe Burke, Clarence Burke Jr., Keni Burke; Backing vocals by James Burke, Dennis Burke. Musicians: Guitars by Hugh McCracken and Clarence Burke Jr., Bass by Keni Burke,
Keyboards by Richard Tee, Drums by Bernard Purdie. They had more than a dozen top 40 hits on the US R&B chart!
I’m ashamed I had no idea this iconic song was sung by siblings! And even more ashamed to learn that one of those siblings was Keni Burke, who had a solo hit with the also classic “Keep Risin’ to the Top” 🤯
@@jadakid6942 Do you remember “All Night Thing” by The Invisible Man’s Band? That was The Five Stairsteps..transformed into the 80s.
Thanks for the lineup. I always have wondered who the band was, especially the drummer, because they are so tight. Purdie is one of the all time greats.
@@johnspinelli6170 the purdie shuffle...the man had skills
@@johnspinelli6170 you're welcome!
This was a HUGE hit when I was in high school, I love this song.
For me, they're a local band (Chicago) and I've always been a big fan of theirs.
That is what is so great about music it brings people together that you would not expect and that is why I love watching your reactions to all of this good music . I guess with being older it is hard too believe some people have never heard the oldies and we are blessed to see you hear it for the first time thank you.
GREAT song! How can you NOT love this?! U cant beat old school music! So glad i grew up hearing music like this!
mee too!! :))
I saw them perform a couple of times in my hometown of Brooklyn, New York back in the mid 1960's. Their sound resonated with me immediately when I first heard them sing "You waited too long". I could also relate to them because I was in high school at the time and the same age as Clarence. Be sure to check out "Danger she's a stranger" and "Baby make me feel so good". They were quite a group!
Oh yes, they were they headlined at the Apollo Theater a couple of times too!
Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children.
He passed away a few years ago at the young age of 94 RIP!
Reminds me of my childhood. Always loved this song.
Chicago soul group,known as the First Family of soul made up of five siblings whose father had retired from the Chicago Police Department to manage his talented kids
After the Five Stairsteps they formed a band in 1978 called The Invisible Man's Band and had a R&B top 10 single "All Night Thing" in 1980. Keni then did solo work. "All Night Thing" is a groove.👍
He was the first black detective on the force and was shot in the line of duty, with his kids by his bedside he decided to quit the police force and focus on his kid's career as their manager.....I met him once he was a really nice Man however, he once went out into the audience and slapped the hell out of a guy who spat on his children, while they were on stage performing🤣
RIP Clearance Burke Sr...Hes 94 when he passed a few years ago!
@@lreed1040 And Keni Burke did the wonderful "Keep Rising To The Top.". He also did the famous bass intro to Bill Withers' "Lovely Day" in 1978.
❤️❤️❤️❤️. Here is a brief summary of this prolific group.
The Five Stairsteps, known as "The First Family of Soul" Was a group of five siblings, 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.
Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin remade the song 10 years ago. I remember growing up listening to the song and I thought it was so beautiful. Every time I hear the song I weep a little bit-just a little bit of hope and joy comes from the song even to this very day. Thank you for reviewing it.
Man, nothing beats familial harmonies. This song was so big when it came out. They were so talented but I don't remember any other songs from them.
That's what made the Bee Gees harmonize so well.
@eileendobbs8009: The group recorded in Chicago, between 1965-1970. They were well known in the black community. Black radio played their songs (notably, WVON-AM 1450). They were on the R&B charts. Their only crossover song was "O-o-h Child" in 1970, and it was the "B" side!
But even before "O-o-h Child" the group performed on American Bandstand (Dick Clark).
Main Ingredient ~ Just Don't Want To Be Lonely, Jackson Sisters ~ I Believe In Miracles, Johnnie Taylor ~ Cheaper To Keep Her, Foster Sylvers ~ Misdemeanor, Jackson 5 ~ I Am Love, Tavares ~ Whodunit, Rance Allen Group ~ Lyin' On The Truth, Slave ~ Slide, Brighter Side Of Darkness ~ Love Jones, The Temptations ~ Glasshouse, Pointer Sisters ~ Yes We Can Can, Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams ~ Too Much Too Little Too Late
Such a wonderful uplifting song. Thanks for taking me back with a smile.
If you want to see them live, they performed on Soul Train and the song was released in April of 1970. And yes, you're absolutely correct, it's still relevant even today. So anywho, The Five Stairsteps were the First Family of Soul, five siblings consisting of 1 sister and 4 brothers from Chicago, IL and came out in 1967 and the first voice you hear is their sister Alohe Jean Burke. And then her brothers. I love the fact you two are playing these important relevant timeless jewels of music.
Had the pleasure of seeing this awesome group sing this at the Apollo. Awesome song. Also, Spike Lee featured this song in his film, "Crooklyn."
Absolutely love this song!!!!
Yes, that was and still is a great song!
Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children.
He passed away a few years ago at the young age of 94 RIP!
@@TheTruthcomethquestion do you know the five stairsteps Well? Because it seems like you do 😊
Yes, I do know them well they are the most upstanding family I have ever met; I had a real crush on Aloha although she was many years older than me.@@りょう-Maltese
One of my favorite songs, great pick!
Came out in 1970 and I remember back then some of our inner city churches the one I went to as a matter of fact sang it during the youth service. Speaking of that, there is a movie the two of you would love that you really should see and has a lot of music cuz it's a musical that came out in 1973 called "Godspell".
This song comes to mind for me sometimes when I think of the current state of the world and the hope that things will get easier and much brighter.
@@bloppysloppy2283 but if you've read the Word it won't, not until we enter into The Kingdom. Prophecy has never been wrong. Hence why we sang it in church in a different meaning.
Dance off, bro!! :) This song was listed at #402 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
I understood that reference. :)
@@daverhoden445 🤣🤣🤣🤣
GOTG!
Highly recommend a cult 70s movie called " over the edge". It closes with this song. No other movie captures what it was actually like to be a teenager in the 70s. There is a lot of good music throughout. It's a drama and was Matt Dillons 1st movie
Excellent movie. It used to come up on TCM now and then. This was the perfect song for that scene. Spike Lee also used it in Crooklyn.
How about "Dazed and Confused?" Hint hint...MOVIE CHANNEL! 😉♥️
@@mikegalvin9801 And Guardians of the Galaxy!
My wife was absolutely in love with Matt
I remember the movie on HBO when I was in high school. I remember Matt Dillon in it too.
One of the many wonderful things about your channel is rediscovering forgotten songs and experiencing them all over with you.😀
There's nothing like good ol' 70s soul. It was a perfect song in the movie Crooklyn. Btw, you guys should watch Crooklyn, Do the Right Thing, and any number of other Spike Lee movies.
Around 1966 they were really young. I remember "You Waited Too Long"
"World of Fantasy", "Come Back". They did others but they were young and life happens. Might have led the way for The Jackson 5.
I love these songs too by them.
This song evokes a beautiful memory of a man I loved as a brother, we went to grammar school together, and he passed away from AIDS long ago. When the song came out, I told him this song was about us. Thank you for reacting too it. Your expressions of joy brought tears to my eyes! ✌️🎶💙
Amber has hit the nail on the head. This song embodies the hope for peace and equality of the 70s. One more reason the 70s anchors my musical life.
The layering of vocals in this song is absolutely beautiful...and then it goes to just one voice. What a classic, amazing song. Here's to praying that one day, things will get brighter!
I couldn't love this song more. Although released in 1970, it was still in the era of Vietnam and the civil rights movement, when messages of peace and love were in the air. I miss the positivity of those days. Despite the bad things that were happening, there was a sense we could change the world. Somehow, a lot of people got cynical and the loving energy of the hippie years dissipated. I wish we as a society could regain some of the spirit of those times.
I remember this song when I was a kid. Love it❤
My favorite song when I was 14 …..would sing it to Charles! “Oh oh Charles things are gonna get easier!”He would laugh and say “child!” Such fun!
This song is priceless. I had no idea that the sister sings the first verse of the song.❤❤❤❤
@leidell: Yes, sister Aloha (a contralto) sings the opening line.
Love the 70’s vibe you got going tonight!
Thanks for reminding me of this song. It was on the radio when I was a child & I remember feeling like it was an inspirational message for me as a child & it made me aware of the injustice of that time and the hope that things would be better & that I could be a part of it getting better. It’s still got an underlying sadness - at least to me - because many things aren’t better. But it also communicates the potential that we all have within us to make things better. I hope Amber & J will play it for their kids because it is a song/message that means a lot to the little ones of the world who don’t feel like they have a lot of power as children but this song says yes you do. 💓
So glad for your review.
I was 10 years old when this was released. It is amazing now…can you fathom what it must’ve been like for those of us who actually heard it “live”? We’d experienced 2 Kennedys gone, Malcolm X, MLK, Vietnam, trouble brewing for the Panthers, on and on. The context of time, as you pointed out, is POWERFUL.
I feel so fortunate to have been a teenager when all of this great music was being created! What a time to be alive!!🌺✌️
God! Love this from my teenage years!!! Big hit! Everyone knew this song! Thx for bringing back 70’s memories!❤️
Great commentary! Such an uplifting, comforting song. I send this to friends and family when they are going through tough times.
I remember the first time I heard her say oooh ooh child I was literally hypnotized by her voice 🙏
Little known fact. It is the sister who sings ooh child at the beginning and end of the song. My daughter always thought it was one of the brothers
Definitely a classic! It has been in many movies and T.V. shows.
That classic 60s and & 70s R&B. Some of the best ever made. The voices were amazing.
The drums on this song are by a legend in the recording world: Bernard Purdie. Just phenomenal energy!
I'm a white guy from Maine and I know that this song IS the definition of soul! With the childhood that I have had, this song is really uplifting 😄!
Another great song dosen't matter when you listen to this song we need more songs like this.
Love this song 💜💜💜 looking for a better, brighter future for all of us
The key change - when they all come in together with “Some Day!” is pure musical joy.
this is one of the greatest songs ever.... NEVER gets old or tired... makes me happy to hear it, any day, any year...
I love watching y’all! You often remind me of songs I had forgotten about….this is NOT one I would ever forget, however. 😂 I truly respect your honest thoughts & feelings.
My older sister had this 45 rpm vinyl record, so I've known this song since I was a child. But I never understood the weight of the message nor the poignancy of this song until I was an adult. Amber, you locked into its power almost immediately I could tell. Everyone's right that this song & performance should be much more widely renowned.
Love this song and never knew who did it. Thank you! :)
Made me remember another from back in the day called "Up, Up, and Away" by the 5th Dimension. You did their "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" a while back.
Another you might like, though a bit more recent, is "I Love You" by Climax Blues Band, which I don't recall you doing yet :)
Fact: these 5 were all siblings; 4 boys and a girl (main vocalist) and they were known to have paved the way for the Jackson 5!
Great drum line in this this. Ah, there ya go Amber. Huh. You just gave me an idea.. gonna send this to... someone who needs it today. Thanks!
With a song like this, one would expect they would have a had a long a successful career but they turned out to be a one hit wonder. Fun Fact: drummer Jerome “Big Foot” Brailey later joined Parliament and was featured during their commercial peak. He was the primary writer of “Tear The Roof Off (Give Up the Funk”. Bassist Keni Burke would later form The Invisible Man’s Band with some of his siblings from
The Stairsteps which had a big dance/disco hit in 1980 with All Night Thing. As solo artist he did the original version of Keep Rising to The Top, covered by Pieces of a Dream and interpolated by Doug E. Fresh. The song is a stepper’s classic. Keni Burke later became an in demand session bassist and producer.
We've all said it a million times, but...they don't make music like this anymore. These days, you can't tell one artist from another. when you hear ELO, or CCR, you know right from the start who it is, unlike the canned" music of today. Everyone had their own style, and sounded different from everyone else.
Thanks
This song got me through some tough times. I loved seeing your reactions to this piece of art!
One of the great feel good songs of all time. So good.
One of my absolute favorite songs. Got me through very dark times in the 70s.
O-o-h Child
"O-o-h Child" is a 1970 single, written by Stan Vincent, recorded by Chicago soul family group the Five Stairsteps and released on the Buddah label.
Genre:
Chicago soul
Length:
3:11
Label:
Buddah
The Five Stairsteps, who preceded The Jackson 5, consisted of a group of four Brothers and their sister - each a year apart from each other, and included Keni Burke (known for "Keep Rising To The Top"). Famous for, not only "Ooh Child" but "Baby Make Me Feel So Good", "Danger, She's A Stranger", "We Must Be In Love", Don't Change Your Love", "Hush Child" and "All Night Thang", which they released under the name 'Invisible Man's Band", they had a mature sound and tight harmonies (and their drummer was no joke!) To see them perform this on TV, where you can see which member is singing what, go to: .ua-cam.com/video/sGpC5IvKaLA/v-deo.html. Thanks for choosing to review this song with this powerful and universal message!
The StairSteps beat out the Jackson 5 @ the Regal Theater in Chicago and won a recording contract with Curtis Mayfeilds company, Motown offered them a contract but their Father turned it down. (He didn't like what was going on there)
Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children.
Thanks for a listen to this lovely song! My uncle was a dj from age 16 until he died some 50+ years later. When someone in the family had a birthday, he'd ask what song they wanted to hear and play it for them. I often chose this song. Nice to hear it today.
This song still brings up emotions and a tear or two. It’s beautiful.
I'm so glad you reacted to this, it's one of my favorite songs of all time. I look forward to your videos EVERY DAY and I am a subscriber.
Not sure if anyone has ever suggested this song to you, or if there's a video UA-cam will allow you to post, but here goes:
Father and Daughter, by Paul Simon
I'm a dad of two girls and this song makes me smile every single time.
Thanks for keeping great music alive and spreading good vibes every day.
Going to share this with my daughter. She's going through some tough times,but she's fighting hard! So proud of her!❤❤
The Pointer Sisters' 1973 "Yes We Can Can" has a similar uplifting message to this 1970 song.
Yes!!!!
A one-hit wonder, but it was a good one. Another one-hit wonder that also has a steps-oriented name and a similar great message is Spiral Staircase. "More Today Than Yesterday" is a song that would probably encapsulate your relationship--with plenty of horns as well!!
I also like the songs "I'm Doin' Fine Now" by New York City, "Show and Tell" by Al Wilson and "Everybody Plays The Fool" by The Main Ingredient. They would enjoy these as well
They are considered one hit wonders as far as the pop chart is concerned, but the group had several R&B hits
Crazy that this is over 50 years old. I've always loved the line - "someday - we'll get it together and we'll get it undone." An anthem of hope.
This song is middle 70s, around 1974 if I have to guess. I was in college when it came out. Young lady you are so right about the drums. This is about the best job on the drums I have ever heard on a popular music song. It is intergraded into the song in a way that it supplements the song without being a drum solo, and the drummer is killing it. I was saying this back in the 1970s and still say it. One of the best drumming I've every heard.
@timothysteele1963: The year was 1970. It was in the summer. "O-o-h Child" is the "B" side. It became a huge hit when a DJ turned it over to see what it sounded like......the rest is history.
Such a sweet song. Very easy to enjoy listening to every time, for over 50 years.
This is a GREAT song. ...great message for those who are having a hard time or going through something ❤❤❤
Great song. You'll see from other comments that they were a family group, but later one brother in the group, guitarist Clarence Burke, got together with some other musicians and continued as the Invisible Man's Band. I think they only made two albums under that name, but they had a hit in 1979 called "All Night Long" that you might like. Another brother, Keni, had a hit in the early 80s (that I think you played!) called "Risin' To The Top."
They did not react to "Risin" To The Top" by Keni. They did react to a Solomon Burke song "Cry To Me" months ago. "Risin' To The Top" from 1982 reminds me of another song from 82 by D Train "Keep On". They would love the message in this song also. "Keep On" is also a great uplifting song if not motivating.
Song came out in spring of 1970 and become enmeshed in popular culture, incorporating in movies and done by many groups. There performance on Soul Train is quite memorable. Most folks who were around that time could attest to its staying power. Considered politically relevant around the serious struggles occuring, of a hope that things will get better.
Chicago’s own; south side of Chicago, Harlan High School students. This was their biggest cut and Alohe, the sister, took the lead on this song. Usually Clarence RIP was the lead. They came before The Jackson 5; and did not have the Motown machine pushing them. They were a huge thing in Chicago. Years later, they morphed into The Invisible Man’s Band (All Night Thing). Keni Burke went solo and had a hit with the Keep Riding to the Top.
The StairSteps beat out the Jackson 5 @ the Regal Theater in Chicago and won a recording contract with Curtis Mayfeilds company, Motown offered them a contract but their Father turned it down. (He didn't like what was going on there)
Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children.
The Five Stairsteps had that old school flavor going strong. Before the Jackson Five, The Sylvers, Debarge, Sister Sledge, Pointer Sisters and the Gap Band,etc. They go back a ways. Great group, great song!
The StairSteps beat out the Jackson 5 @ the Regal Theater in Chicago and won a recording contract with Curtis Mayfeilds company, Motown offered them a contract but their Father turned it down. (He didn't like what was going on there)
Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children.
@@TheTruthcometh I didn't know that. But other than Keni Burke, who else of the family continued to be involved in music. I wanted The StairSteps to keep making music. They certainly had the talent.
@@rosemarywatson1231 Well Clearance continued touring and singing their old hits until he passed away at the age of 64, other than Clearance and Kenny no other group member continued to make music.
James AKA Blade passed away a few years ago at 70 and their Father passed away before him at 94. Kenny, Dennis, and Aloha are the only group members still alive and living in the Atlanta area, their Mother is doing fine as well....Yes they had the talent😎
@@TheTruthcometh Thank you for the info.
This song almost always brings a tear to my eye... It's simply distilled hope and encouragement.
Keni Burke!!! Bassist and Vocalist extraordinaire! Five Stairsteps, Billy Preston, Sly Stone, DJ Roger’s, Invisible Man’s band, Risin to the top and much more.Thanks for jammin this. I’m going on tour with him soon please check out Keni’s solo stuff!!! Peace
I love what you're doing here. My first time seeing you. I'm an old white dude and musician (66 in two days, can't believe that!), and when this song came out, I was 12. It lit me up with a feeling that we could really make this a world without racism (which even as a kid I had seen knocking down my black buddies, which pissed me off) and a world with hope. And inspired me to keep drumming and lifting spirits with music, and later, as a psychologist working with famiies of color in shelters, paying back (happily) my debt to African American creativity for filling my soul with music. Please keeping doing what youre doing -- everyone needs to hear the music from the 60s and early 70s, which had a lot more hope and a lot less cynicism than today. Not to say that what's happening today is music is wrong -- every era of music responds to the vibe of the time --- but as ya'll said, and others (like Bryan Stevenson, the incredible lawyer who gets Black kids out of adult prisions and Black men unjustly accused of crimes off of death row), we gotta have hope, we gotta come together, we goitta keep on fighting for justice -- and music gives the energy to do it.
In a recent reaction you guys asked if there's a vocalist during the 80s synth pop days.....yes....you have not reacted to Howard Jones yet. Amazing keyboard player , incredible vocalist and amazing songwriter not to mention incredibly entertaining on stage. Start with the song Life In One Day , or Things Can Only Get Better. You won't be disappointed
Many 60s and 70s lyrics had this message. One of my favorites is "Everyday People" by Sly and the Family Stone. Ray Stevens "Everything Is Beautiful" is another good song from the times. We did come together in the 60s, people from all skin colors, all neighborhoods, north/ south, east and west. We came together for the cause of freedom for all people and we won.
They were called The Five Stairsteps and Cubie. Cubie's name was removed by the second album
Another golden oldie! I love how you guys give this ole lady happy memories of my teen years
"Grazin in the grass" wait till you hear them singing those 16th notes!
I can dig it
First version of this I ever heard was Valerie Carter (RIP). It was on the Over The Edge soundtrack.
5 siblings from large Chicago family. Great harmony
Thanks so much for reminding me of this song. As soon as I saw the song name, the tune & chorus popped into my head even though I had no recollection of the group's name.
I remember hearing this all the time when I was a little kid. Such great music.
These cats later became the Invisible Man’s Band with a couple of club hits “All Night Thing” and “Love Can’t Come”.
Keni scored a big hit on his own with “Risin To The Top”
You know your 5 StairSteps history!
Clearance Burke Sr stayed in their lives as their manager until the end of their career that's why, you never heard any scandal surrounding his children.
He passed away a few years ago at the young age of 94 RIP!
The first family of soul.Soooo Soooo underrated you wanna talk about harmonies this is your group. Got the name from their mother who said when they were all lined up altogether they looked like stairs Started recording in the mid 60s. They entered a talent contest and the J5 we're also entered in the same show Stairsteps won first place. Prize a contract with Motown, but the father turned it down because Motown would not give them more freedom in writing & producing their own material. So they singed with the great Curtis Mayfield on his windy city record label. Curtis wrote & produced a lot of their recording. But a lot of the songs were written by lead singer a young Clarence Burke Jr. the father did co write some of their recording as well as play bass guitar and their father did have more say in the group. J5 are a great group, but the fivestair steps now your talking sweet soul have a huge catalog of songs just a sampling of some of their recording. A world of fantasy, Danger she a stranger You waited to long Come back. And their incredible version of ooh baby baby and one of my favorite You make me so mad One of my all time favorite groups ✌️
Looks like you know your Five StairSteps history!
Man, I was in love with Aloha although she was many years older than I was back then, she's now 75 years old she was Soooooooo cute🤣
Even though I heard this song as a kid when it first came out, I still think of the movie Boyz in the Hood(1991)
Beautiful song, it was my mother's favorite. RIP ❤
This was a real big song back in the day. Beautiful message.
Great song ! was my parents favorite song.u guys remind me if my parents. Rip mom and dad miss u and love u.
They performed the song on soul train.