Love Train - The O'Jays Sing of Hope

It was 1973. The long war in Viet Nam was drawing to a painful and unsuccessful close and everyone was REALLY ready for some peace. The Yom Kippur War had just concluded in Israel and it hadn't gone so well for the Israelis as it had in 1967. There was still plenty of trouble around the world, as usual.

The O'Jays sang Love Train--wishing for us to all "climb on board." Motown had discovered a new genre now. Think about Edwin Starr's "War" ("good god y'all, what is it good for? -- Absolutely NUTHIN! say it again".... Think back further to Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On." Much more than a love song or a "life's hard but we'll survive somehow" theme, this is one of hope.

We can still use this kind of song today. The Love Train hasn't pulled in the station yet, it appears.