All-4-One, the popular American R&B vocal quartet, released its self-titled debut cd in April of 1994. All-4-One, thanks to the David Foster-produced #1 smash ballad, “I Swear,” a previous Song of the Week on this website, went on to sell over four million copies in the US alone.

“I Swear,” with its delicious vocal harmonies and perfectly crafted production, earned the group a Grammy Award as Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The song was certified platinum by selling over 1.5 million copies, and was ranked #88 on Billboard’s All Time Top 100 songs list. The magnitude of success of “I Swear” and the other gold-certified single, “So Much In Love,” overshadowed the rest of All-4-One that featured more catchy tunes including the second Foster production, an elegant, smooth jam titled “Oh Girl.”

The ballad “Oh Girl” was co-written by the group’s tenor singer, Jamie Jones with Gary St. Clair, an up ’n’ coming music-maker who produced the bulk of All-4-One. “Oh Girl” was an ear-candy song about lost love. The group’s vocal harmonies were a knock-out with Jones’ lead vocal in the spotlight. Foster’s production was the usual top-notch affair. Although mostly programmed, the instrumental arrangement was tastefully done with some classy electric guitar licks courtesy of session great Michael Thompson. “Oh Girl” leaned more towards classic R&B compared to the pop-influenced “I Swear,” but both songs are effective evidence of Foster’s chart-topping style of the nineties. The album reaffirm All-4-One as one of the most gifted vocal ensembles of those days.

Listen

• Lead Vocals: Jamie Jones
• Harmony Vocals: Delious, Alfred Nevarez, Tony Borowiak
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Guitar: Michael Thompson
• Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Girl, I know that there are times
When I don’t listen to you
And maybe know it seems that I am untrue
But give me one more chance
And I’ll prove my love to you
And oh girl I’ll do anything 
To be back with you

I’ll show affection and anything you choose
And I’ll do all this to prove that I love you
I do love you
And girl you know I’ll love you and I care
And if you ever need me I will always be there
I’m missin’ all the love (all the love)
That you and I shared
And oh girl (oh girl)

You and I should never be apart
So can we try it again 
And make a brand new start
You know I love with all my heart 
Cause baby I love you
I do love you
Now I lay me down to sleep
Your not by my side
My pillow soakin’ wet
From all the tears that I cried

When I look in your eyes
I don’t see me any more
So can we try it one more time
Before you walk out that door
And oh, oh girl (oh girl)
I’m sorry I didn’t understand
That all you wanted
Was a sensitive man
So I’ll do all that I can
To show you I love you

Baby I do love you
You know girl
I love you so much
I just can’t understand how come
Why, things can work out for us
If I could only tell you right how I feel
I know everything between you and me
Would be all right
Know I love you baby
You know girl 
I love you so much

I just can’t understand how come
Things can work out for us 
It’s gonna be alright now baby
I love you so much
I just can’t understand how come
Things can work out for us
You know girl

I love you so much
I just can’t understand how come
Things can work out for us
I need you with me, I want you with me
I just can’t understand how come
Things can work out for us