Love Train
1972 single by the O'Jays
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"Love Train" is a hit single by the O'Jays, written by Gamble and Huff for the O'Jays' 1972 album Back Stabbers. Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, the house band MFSB provided backing. The song has been considered one of the first disco songs.
| "Love Train" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover of the German and Dutch release of the single by Epic | ||||
| Single by the O'Jays | ||||
| from the album Back Stabbers | ||||
| B-side | "Who Am I" | |||
| Released | December 20, 1972[1] | |||
| Recorded | Summer 1971 – 1972 | |||
| Studio | Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:59 (album version) 6:15 (extended version) | |||
| Label | Philadelphia International | |||
| Songwriters | Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff | |||
| Producers | Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff | |||
| The O'Jays singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Love Train" (Official Soul Train Video) on YouTube | ||||
"Love Train" entered the Billboard Hot 100's top 40 on January 27, 1973,[4] the same day that the Paris Peace Accords were signed. The song's lyrics of unity mention a number of countries, including England, Russia, China, Egypt, and Israel, as well as the continent of Africa. It reached No. 1 on both the R&B Singles and the Hot 100 in February and March 1973, respectively,[5] and No. 9 on the UK singles chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. It was the O'Jays' first and only number one record on the US pop chart.
The single was a 2006 inductee into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[6]
Reception
Record World said of the single release that the "tune chugs right along with a Gamble and a Huff" and could become the biggest hit from the Back Stabbers album.[7]
Music video
The music video shows a group of people forming a human chain near a railroad station, while at the same time, some railroad cars are shown in motion. Throughout the video, more people join in the chain, which they call the "Love Train". It was recorded in 1973.[8]
Charts
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[15] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[16] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Cover versions
In 2006 Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee performed "Love Train" for the ending credits of Final Destination 3.[17]
In popular culture
The song was featured in the popular long-running Coors Light series of commercials featuring the Silver Bullet Express train from approximately 2005 to 2011, returning as a Super Bowl and March Madness ad in 2024.[18][19][20]