Back Stabbers
The O'Jays
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(What they doin?) (They smilin' in your face) All the time they want to take your place The back stabbers (back stabbers) (They smilin' in your face) All the time, they want to take your place The back stabbers (back stabbers) All you fellas who have someone and you really care, yeah, yeah Then it's all of you fellas who better beware, yeah, yeah Somebody's out to get your lady A few of your buddies, they sure look shady The blades are long, clenched tight in their fists Aimin' straight at your back And I don't think they'll miss (What they doin?) (They smilin' in your face) All the time, they want to take your place The back stabbers (back stabbers) I keep gettin' all these visits from my friends, yeah, what they doin' to me? They come to my house again and again and again and again, yeah So are they there to see my woman? I don't even be home but they just keep on comin' What can I do to get on the right track? I wish they'd take some of these knives out my back (What they doin?) (They smilin' in your face) All the time, they want to take your place The back stabbers (back stabbers) Ha, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, low down, dirty (What they doin?) (They smilin' in your face) Smilin' faces smilin' faces sometimes tell lies (back stabbers) (They smilin' in your face) I don't need low down, dirty bastards (back stabbers) (They smilin' in your face) down, down, down, down, down Down, down, down, down, down, down, down (back stabbers) (They smilin' in your face) might be your neighbor Your next door neighbor, yeah (back stabbers)
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Written by: Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Release Year"Back Stabbers" was released in the summer of 1972.
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GenreThe song belongs to the soul genre, and it is one of the classics that define the Philadelphia soul sound.
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Chart Performance"Back Stabbers" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart.
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Album"Back Stabbers" is the title track from The O'Jays' album of the same name.
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ProducerThe song was produced by Philadelphia International Records owners Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.
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SongwritersThe song was written by Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, and Leon Huff.
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LegacyRolling Stone magazine listed "Back Stabbers" at #318 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
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ThemesThe song has themes of paranoia and betrayal, stating that the people who are trusted the most (friends) are the ones who will backstab.
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Recognition"Back Stabbers" is credited with launching The O'Jays to stardom and being a cornerstone in the development of the Philadelphia soul sound.
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Cover VersionsArtists such as Keb' Mo, Clarence Carter, and Wilson Pickett have covered the song.
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Cultural ImpactThe song's distinct sound and lyrical content have led to its continued relevance, being sampled or referenced in modern pop culture.
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"Back Stabbers Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1710038/The+O%27Jays/Back+Stabbers>.
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