"I Love Music" is a song written by Gamble and Huff and recorded by The O'Jays. It appeared on the group's 1975 album Family Reunion. The single version went to number 1 on the soul singles chart and reached number 5 on the BillboardHot 100. In the UK, the song peaked at number 13 in the Top 40 singles charts, in March 1976. The single was most successful on the US Disco File Top 20 chart, where it spent eight weeks at number 1.
In 1993 the Zambian-born singer Rozalla covered "I Love Music" on her album, Look No Further. Her version of the song also appeared on the soundtrack to the film Carlito's Way. The single was the first of a series of cover versions Rozalla was to record over the years. It was also her first "new" song to be released on Sony Records, as her earlier releases had all been first put out by Britishindie labelPulse 8. Rozalla's recording of "I Love Music" reached number-one on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play chart in the US. It also dented the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 76. In Europe, the song got to number 18 on the UK Singles Chart in 1994, marking something of a comeback after various earlier singles had failed to crack the top 40. The song also peaked at number 5 in Iceland, number 6 in Finland and number 9 in Zimbabwe.
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from most music critics. Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "spirited reading of the O'Jays classic". He noted that Rozalla "has developed a smoother, more soulful vocal quality". Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote, "International sensation Rozalla and producer Jellybean extract every ounce of excitement out of this 1976 O'Jays hit." Wendi Cermak from The Network Forty called it "a fabulous remake".
Chart history
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Other cover versions
In 1976, a live cover version appears on the albumLIVE performed by 3M Productions, also known as Major Harris, Blue Magic and Margie Joseph, recorded at the Latin Casino. In 1990, Chicago House music vocalist Darryl Pandy released a version of the song on Warner Bros. Records which remained faithful to the original version. The track featured a prominent keyboard riff, brass, and a driving House beat.
Usage in film
The song appears in the 1993 film Carlito's Way and in the 2007 filmPride.
