Great song from a great soul/R&b group from Los Angeles. This group were fronted by twins that didn't take any prisoners Walter and Wallace Scott. These guys were great singers. What I love about the Whispers were those background vocals of the other members of the group...these guys could lay down a lovely harmonic background vocal at the drop of a dime.

Released in 1978, this is one of those great message songs. About a young lady who is "a lady of the night" who devalues her own worth....working for her man(pimp)who "wants to drive a new Seville".

At the end of the song The Whispers brings the point home before the song fades out in a bold-in-your-face kind of way.....

"Olivia...break the chains
Stop using your body and use your brain"

Nuff' said.....INDEED!!!!!

Enjoy,
Brother 9/15

olivia's late got distracted on her way 2 grandma's houuuuuse....
man what a great song by the whispers..How i miss that Solar sound.one of the greatest cuts
by the whispers.

Isn't it funny how,in the 70s,songs about prostitutes were really common?

"Lady Marmalade" by LaBelle (1975)
"Olivia (Lost And Turned Out)" by the Whispers (1978)
"Bad Girls" by Donna Summer (1979)

Another classic case, well for me anyway, of remembering the song one way as I was younger. Not tripping over meaning of lyrics, just liking the song. Then decades later hearing again and getting a new perspective of the song. It's like Ooohhh that's what that song was about. I rediscovered that song about a year or so ago, and bought one of their greatest hits, and then had the "Ooooohhhh" moment. "Listen close they're calling you Olivia Olivia Olivia." To this day tho, the only Whisper song I cannot listen to is "Rock Steady." It was a huge hit for them, but some reason it irked me since then. I don't know. But great recollecting on "Olivia..."

Great observation on the prostitution songs of the 70's DavidEye! Interesting that it was common in that decade.