In 1970, ‘O-o-h Child’ was recorded by the Five Stairsteps, a Chicago family group that formed in 1965 and were comprised of Burke family members Clarence Jr., James, Alohe, Kenneth and Dennis. They got their name when “Momma Stairsteps” (as Betty Burke was affectionately called) noticed that her kids looked like stair steps with their incrementally varying heights when they stood next to each other according to their age. They were dubbed the “First Family of Soul”, because of their successful five-year chart run; the moniker was later passed on to the Jackson 5. The Five Stairsteps are often thought of as a one-hit-wonder band because ‘O-o-h Child’ was their most popular song, but the group had 19 singles that charted on either the R&B or pop charts, usually both, between the years of 1966 through 1980. ‘O-o-h Child’ was their only song to crack the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #8, but 11 of the Stairsteps’ singles made it into the top 20 of the R&B charts. Rolling Stone ranked this song at #402 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
This song was on their Stairsteps album and it is a song of comfort, hope and optimism, it is an inspirational song, that allows all of us to see that there may be light at the end of the tunnel. At certain times, we could all use some words about things getting brighter and being able to “walk in the rays of a beautiful sun”, but especially when we are in the darkest of situations. When life becomes difficult to cope with, this song becomes a reassurance amid tough times and it can make you smile. ‘O-o-h Child’ begins with a sad cry from sister Alohe, but she soothing voice. This is followed by contributions from brothers Kenneth, Dennis and Clarence as well as James. Each member sings in a soothing comforting style that makes it feel like they’re singing directly to you and the chorus brings a gospel level of vocal and musical transcendence to the song.
‘O-o-h Child’ was written by the American Soul songwriter/producer/arranger Stan Vincent, who also worked with The Soul Generation and The Legionnaires. Stan Vincent is also known for the song ‘I’m Gonna Make You Mine’ by Lou Christie and several songs recorded by Connie Francis. Stan Vincent assisted in the making of the 1980 Double Fantasy album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Ooh child things are gonna get easier
Ooh child things will get brighter
Ooh child things are gonna get easier
Ooh child things will get brighter
Someday we’ll get it together and well get it undone
Someday when the world is much brighter
Someday we’ll walk in the rays of the beautiful sun
Someday when the world is much lighter
(Ooh child things)
Are gonna get easier
Ooh child things will get brighter
Ooh child things are gonna get easier
Ooh child things will get brighter
Someday we’ll get it together and well get it undone
Someday when the world is much brighter
Someday we’ll walk together in the beautiful sun
Someday when the world is much lighter
Ooh child things are gonna get easier
Ooh child things will get brighter
Ooh child things are gonna get easier
Ooh child things will get brighter
Someday we’ll get together and well get it undone
Someday when the world is much brighter
Someday we’ll walk together in the beautiful sun
Someday when the world is much lighter
Ooh child things are gonna get easier
Ooh child thing will get brighter
Ooh child things are gonna get easier
Ooh child things will get brighter
Right now, right now
Right now
Written for Thursday Inspiration #104 Man In Black where the prompt is brighter.