Some of you may not know who R&B crooner O’Bryan is, but you were probably conceived to one of his ballads. O’Bryan is best known for his hit song “You & I”.
Born O’Bryan McCoy Burnette II in North Carolina, O’Bryan began playing piano at age 6. A friend, Melanee Kersey, heard him singing in his church’s choir and she introduced him to her husband, Ron Kersey, a veteran musician who played keyboards for the 1970s group The Trammps.
Kersey introduced O’Bryan to ‘Soul Train’ founder and host Don Cornelius, who took him to Capitol Records.
O’Bryan’s first big hit on Capitol Records was “The Gigolo” off his debut album Doin’ Alright, released in 1982.
“You & I” was the title track off his 2nd studio album in 1983. Another track off You & I, “Soul Train’s a Comin’ (Party Down)”, became Soul Train’s intro theme song.
Now 55 years young, O’Bryan is still making the ladies sweat out their weave in nightclubs where he still performs all over the country.
O’Bryan – You & I
O’Bryan – Together Always
O’Bryan “Gigolo”
*sings* Here we are…on earth together
*sings* Here we are…on earth together
marching bands got a lot of mileage out of that one.
That taco meat on O’Boys chest is no bueno
Remember the days when we did not care about anyone’s sexuality. Men could dress in a metrosexual or suspect manner and we didn’t care. All we cared about was good music.
Now folks are gay for pay and pushing their agenda. Sigh!
Lol…
Morning… that’s all I got
Soul Train……..#The Hippest Trip In America !!!!……..
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You and I is a classic written and performed by Stevie Wonder first. Which is how Michael Evans had access to it in order to sing it at Thelma’s wedding on Good Times lol. Years before anyone heard of an O’Bryan.
So, a one hit wonder via a remake.
We had you and i on 45, my cousin liked him.
Gigolo was my aunt’s song…..brings back memories
Lady I love you and Maria are on constant rotation along with Still waters.
Cool, thanks Sandra! I miss Throwback Thursday videos. It helps us rediscover lost gems.
I have heard “You & I” before but i always thought it was Howard Hewitt singing in his lower register.
Now i know its O’bryan. I miss good ballads like these.
Oh snap, I didn’t know who sang this song.
“YOU& I” LOOOOOVEEE THIS SONG!!!! Micheal Evans sung it at Thelma&Keith’s wedding on GOOD TIMES !!!
LOL he looks a little reticent in that recent photo. Like he’s not sure he should take the picture ?
And there was a dance to go with it!
Ooh I love that song. I still play these oldies but goodies when I’m bbq’ing or cleaning up.
Lovelight was the jam!
Don’t take forever
Oh, won’t you please be mine
I’ll keep on watchin’
Until you give me a sign
Baby, turn on your lovelite (Lovelite, baby)
Baby, turn on your lovelite
Oh, baby, turn on your lovelite (Lovelite, baby)
Do it for me
Heres mine, what a natural beauty and pure natural gift to sing as well as make you feel so entertained and pulled into her performance.
https://youtu.be/cm_cFzVAoo8
I used to think Don was always high on there
Lol………
Loved this post Sandra. Its always great to flash back. I had forgot all about O’Bryan; its good to see he still looks good and is taking care of himself, not to mention still performing.
That is a great Stevie Wonder song and its been covered like a gazillion times, but I think O’Bryan (and Michael Evans lol) pretty much owned it.
Don Cornelius may have been socially awkward and creepy but he was a business and musical genius. Its really a shame he never seriously forayed into film, his creativity would have probably resulted in some classics. But he did soooo very much for Black music and Black artists.
Until he got in too deep with Dick Griffey…
And its also a shame that the ‘Soul Train Movie’ looks unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Obryan’s version of the Soul Train theme song was the best.
That is so funny YOU & I was my parents wedding song. Lol. And it makes since because they got married in 83. He still looks pretty good.
Girrrllll…speak for ya self! LOL Gimme a nikka with chest hair you can scratch a match on! LMBOFFFFF…..
I prefer that to men that wax. No thank you. LOL
Peter, one of the reasons I still come her is to read your reflection posts, you always have good insider stuff about the industry!
Went to find the song and listen to it! I love it!
You and I is on the soundtrack of my life. He was part of the Prince Revolution, feathered hair, black eyeliner, ruffled shirts and heels.
WOW…I’m touched. Thanks Hun. That made me smile, and that’s appreciated because I’m having a terrible day otherwise lol.
Thanks again Dear.
Loved this song, ..”You & I” when Michael on Good Times covered it. (Written by Stevie Wonder 1972) ? but this O’Bryan dude got them Smokey Robinson genes. ?
I liked both versions……..George Duke & O’Bryan……
“You & I”…was his biggest song ever ???
Hope your day gets better.
Lol..
He still pretty handsome, Just overweight lol.. If he lost that weight he probably look 10 yrs younger.
O’Bryan was VERY underated. Hands down, he had some of the nicest slow jamms. “Together Always”, “Can’t Live Without Your Loving”, “Lady, I Love You”, “Go on and Cry” — Mane. Dude also had some serious Funk tracks with, “I’m Freaky” and ” Soul Trains a Comin'”.
Showing my age, but my “90 minute” Maxell Slow Jamms cassette tape — loaded with O’bryan, Luther, Pebo, Atlantic Star, Prince, etc. — was considered a “lethal weapon”. ???
Thanks Sandy for highlighting this talented brutha. ???
Man he still looks good. I use to love this song!
I love his music, real talent, and real music. He looks good for 55, give these young people a run for their money.
I memba him!!! Love his music!!!
This is still my song!!!
Oooh I use to love him!!
Michael sung this at Keith and Thelma’s wedding…
S/N .. JJ was over 6 ft tall.. why could Keith not see him as he was leaving the ceremony? ? That fall was Nasty!!!
Yo can you make a copy of that powerhouse mix tape?
LOL. I was thinking about that some time ago. ??????
I was young and stupid and loaned the tape to a trifling brutha and of course, I never got it back. ?? I didn’t have a copy to make matter worse.
Its been years, but I’m gonna try and see if I can recreate the Playlist. If so, I’ll post it. ?
You’re welcome hun. ?