Now That We Found Love

Album: Journey to Addis (1978)
Charted: 10 47
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by the Philadelphia Soul specialists Leon Gamble and Kenny Huff, this was originally recorded by The O'Jays in 1973 on their album Ship Ahoy. In 1978, the Jamaican group Third World recorded the song in a more uptempo style with a funk bassline, leaving off the strings from the original version. In 1991, Heavy D & the Boyz pumped the bass even more on their rap version, which hit #11 in the US and #2 in the UK.
  • The song has a somewhat universal message of loving and acceptance, as the singer has seen the light, and wants he and others to spread the message of hope. The Heavy D version has different lyrics and it finds the overweight lover trying to win the heart of a girl in a club.
  • Third World gained a much larger audience with this song, expanding their base beyond reggae. They had two other UK hits: "Cool Meditation" and "Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love)." They also charted again with a 1985 reissue of "Now That We Found Love" that hit #22.

Comments: 2

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1979 {May 5th} Third World performed "Now That We've Found Love" on the nationally syndicated television program, 'Soul Train'...
    Seven weeks earlier it had peaked at #47 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart and it spent eight weeks on the Top 100...
    The proceeding year on October 8th, 1978 the song reached #10 {for 1 week} on the United Kingdom's Official Top 75 Singles chart and it stayed on the chart for nine weeks...
    Between 1978 and 1985 the Kingston, Jamaica band had six records on the U.K. Singles chart, besides the above "Now That We've Found Love" they had one other Top 10 record and it also peaked at #10, "Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love)", in 1981...
    May Don Cornelius {1936 - 2012} R.I.P.
  • Rob from Haifa, IsraelThe song was covered back in 1977 by Martha Reeves
    in the album "Martha Reeves - Rest of my life".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.