Is So Full of Love a good place to start with The O'Jays?

Yes, So Full of Love is recommended as a starting point for new The O'Jays listeners. A lush blend of smooth harmonies and vibrant orchestration that epitomizes the essence of Philadelphia soul. Released in January 1978, So Full of Love marked The O'Jays' transition into a more polished sound following their commercial peak with their previous album, Family Reunion. This was a time when the group sought to further establish their identity within the evolving landscape of R&B and soul music, solidifying their place as ambassadors of the Philadelphia sound.

Who is So Full of Love for?

So Full of Love works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, long, immersive listening sessions and layered, dense sonic textures.

How many songs are on So Full of Love?

So Full of Love has 8 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

So Full of Love

The O'Jays · 1978

36 min · 8 tracks · rhythm and blues

A lush blend of smooth harmonies and vibrant orchestration that epitomizes the essence of Philadelphia soul.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sing My Heart Out Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Use ta Be My Girl — This track encapsulates the group's signature smooth vocal style and storytelling ability, becoming an enduring classic that resonates with listeners.
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Cry Together — With its heartfelt lyrics and rich instrumentation, this song showcases the emotional depth present throughout the album and highlights The O'Jays' vocal prowess.
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This Time Baby — The upbeat tempo and catchy melody make this track a dancefloor favorite, demonstrating the group's ability to blend soulful rhythms with pop sensibilities.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases polished songwriting and production typical of its era but doesn't significantly innovate within the genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a smooth, soulful tone, followed by the hit single which maintains this groove.
Each song features lush orchestration with strings and horns, creating a rich soundscape that supports the vocal harmonies.
The final track shifts to a more upbeat tempo, providing a contrast to the preceding ballads and closing the album on an energetic note.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
long, immersive listening sessions
layered, dense sonic textures
dynamic emotional journeys

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified their success, reaching number one on the R&B charts.
Themes: Philadelphia soul revival· heartfelt storytelling· dancefloor romance
Career context: Released in January 1978, So Full of Love marked The O'Jays' transition into a more polished sound following their commercial peak with their previous album, Family Reunion. This was a time when the group sought to further establish their identity within the evolving landscape of R&B and soul music, solidifying their place as ambassadors of the Philadelphia sound.
Stylistic neighbors: The Spinners· Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes· Teddy Pendergrass