For The Love Of Money – The O’Jays | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#9) and R&B (#3); 1974
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Originally recording as The Mascots, The O’Jays renamed themselves after longtime fan, Cleveland deejay Eddie O’Jay, and released singles throughout the 1960’s with limited success.
In 1972 The O’Jays were the right group in the right place when Philadelphia record producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff – the architects of 1970’s classic soul – began writing and producing hit singles for them.
Their first five hits for the Philadelphia International label featured lyrics steeped in social commentary, a Gamble/Huff trademark, and 1974’s For The Love Of Money was no exception.
Money dealt with the many ways an obsession with “that lean, mean green” can lead to bad things. It coincidentally earned The O’Jays their third gold record in less than two years.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Gamble and Huff
Lyrics Written by:
- Kenneth Gamble
- Leon Huff
- Anthony Jackson
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).