Back Stabbers is the sixth studio album by Philadelphia soul group the O'Jays, released in August 1972 on Philadelphia International Records and the iTunes version was released and reissued under Epic Records via Legacy Recordings. The recording sessions for the album took place at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1972.
Reception
Back Stabbers was a breakthrough album for the group, reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Pop Albums chart and selling over 500,000 copies within a year of release. It also featured two of their most successful singles, "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train", which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. On September 1, 1972, the title track was certified as a gold single by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The following year, on May 8, Back Stabbers was also certified Gold by the RIAA. It has gained the reputation as a landmark album of early 1970s soul and has been cited by critics as "the pinnacle of Philly soul." In 2012, the album was ranked No. 318 on Rolling Stones list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
It was voted No. 754 in the third edition of Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000).
Usage The song "Back Stabbers" was featured on the Looking for Mr. Goodbar soundtrack.
"Back Stabbers" was featured on the Carlito's Way soundtrack, which was found and collected as evidence from O. J. Simpson's white Ford Bronco.
"Back Stabbers" was featured on the Dragged Across Concrete soundtrack.
"Who Am I?" is sampled on the Atmosphere track "Little Man", from the album You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having.
Track listing
Personnel The O’Jays Eddie Levert Walter Williams William Powell Musicians
Dennis Harris – guitar Bobby Eli – guitar Roland Chambers – guitar Bunny Sigler – guitar, piano, producer Norman Harris – arranger, guitar Ronnie Baker – bass guitar Lenny Pakula – organ Leon Huff – producer, piano Earl Young – drums Don Renaldo – conductor, horns, strings Thom Bell – arranger, strings, producer Larry Washington – bongos, congas, percussion Vincent Montana Jr. – percussion, vibraphone
Production and design
Kenneth Gamble – producer Tony Martell – executive producer Adam Block – director Joe Tarsia – engineer Leo Sacks – reissue producer Tony Sellari – art direction Bobby Martin – arranger Thom Bell – arranger
Charts Weekly charts TitleInformationBack Stabbers US Pop Albums (1972) No. 10 US Black Albums No. 3
Singles TitleInformation"992 Arguments" US Pop Singles (1972) No. 57 US Black Singles No. 13"Back Stabbers" US Pop Singles (1972) No. 3 US Black Singles No. 1"Love Train" US Pop Singles (1973) No. 1 US Black Singles No. 1"Time to Get Down" US Pop Singles (1973) No. 33 US Black Singles No. 2
References
External links The O'Jays Profile at About.com The O'Jays "Back Stabbers" on Soul Train at YouTube