Use Ta Be My Girl / This Time Baby
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Album Summary
Laid down in the hallowed studios of Philadelphia International Records and released in 1978, 'Use Ta Be My Girl / This Time Baby' is a single that captures The O'Jays at the absolute height of their powers. Produced by the immortal duo of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff — the master architects of the Philly Soul sound — this record carries all the hallmarks of what made Philadelphia International the most soulful address in the music business: lush strings that wrap around you like a warm embrace, rhythm tracks that move your feet before your mind even knows what's happening, and those O'Jays vocals, led by the incomparable Eddie Levert, delivering every note like it costs something. Released during a moment when disco was ruling the airwaves and classic soul was fighting to hold its ground, this single proved that Gamble and Huff and their flagship vocal group weren't about to let the music world move on without them.
Reception
- 'Use Ta Be My Girl' was a major commercial triumph for The O'Jays, climbing into the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 and registering strong numbers on the R&B charts, affirming the group's continued dominance in the late disco era.
- The single earned widespread praise for its ability to honor the deep soul tradition while fully embracing the danceable energy that defined 1978 radio, winning over both longtime fans and the new generation of disco devotees.
- 'This Time Baby' held its own as the B-side, resonating with The O'Jays' devoted R&B audience and showcasing the emotional vocal interplay that had made the group a cornerstone of the Philadelphia International roster.
Significance
- 'Use Ta Be My Girl' stands as one of the finest late-period expressions of the Philadelphia International sound, weaving sophisticated orchestration together with disco-era rhythm sensibilities in a way that felt both timeless and completely of its moment.
- The single is a testament to the enduring vision of Gamble and Huff, whose songwriting and production philosophy proved it could evolve with the times without ever losing its soul — a rare and powerful thing in any era of popular music.
- This record cemented The O'Jays' legacy as one of the most resilient and beloved vocal groups in the history of Black American music, maintaining genuine chart presence and artistic integrity at a time when many soul acts were struggling to find their footing in a rapidly changing industry.
Samples
- Use Ta Be My Girl — one of the most recognizable samples in hip-hop and R&B, interpolated and sampled across numerous recordings throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with its infectious hook and groove proving irresistible to producers across generations.
Tracklist
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A Use Ta Be My Girl 111
3:23
-
B This Time Baby 118
3:30
Artist Details
The O'Jays are a soulful powerhouse from Canton, Ohio, who came together back in 1958 and went on to become one of the defining voices of Philadelphia Soul in the 1970s, delivering that smooth, lush, orchestrated sound crafted by the legendary production duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Philadelphia International Records. With anthems like "Love Train," "Back Stabbers," and "For the Love of Money," they spoke truth to the times — wrapping social commentary and righteous feeling in some of the most irresistible grooves ever laid down on wax. Their legacy stands tall as a cornerstone of the soul and funk tradition, influencing generations of artists and cementing Philadelphia as the heartbeat of Black music in that golden era.
