Caravan of Love

"Caravan of Love"
Single by Isley-Jasper-Isley
from the album Caravan of Love
B-side "I Can't Get over Losin' You"
Released 1985
Recorded East Orange, New Jersey, 1985
Genre R&B, soul
Length 5:42
Label Epic
Songwriter(s) Ernie Isley, Chris Jasper and Marvin Isley
Producer(s) Ernie Isley, Chris Jasper and Marvin Isley

"Caravan of Love" is a 1985 R&B hit originally recorded by Isley-Jasper-Isley, the second half of the Isley Brothers' 3 + 3 lineup of the 1970s.

Original Isley-Jasper-Isley version

After breaking away from the family group, the group (notably Chris Jasper) wrote and produced this single, which was Jasper's interpolation intending to reach audiences by presenting Christian beliefs in his music. The song became the trio's biggest hit going to number 1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and number 51 on the Billboard pop chart in 1985; it would be their only prominent hit before they splintered into solo careers in 1988. The music video was filmed on-location in New York City.

Personnel

Track listings

7" vinyl single

Side one

  1. "Caravan of Love" – 4:15

Side two

  1. "I Can't Get over Losin' You" – 4:05

12" vinyl single

Side one

  1. "Caravan of Love" – 5:43

Side two

  1. "I Can't Get over Losin' You" – 4:05

Chart performance

Chart (1985) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 51
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
Chart (1986) Peak
position
Dutch Top 40 21
US Billboard Adult Contemporary 16

The Housemartins version

"Caravan of Love"
Single by the Housemartins
B-side "When I First Met Jesus"
Released November 1986
Recorded 1986
Genre A cappella
Length 3:40
Label Go! Discs
Songwriter(s) Ernie Isley, Chris Jasper and Marvin Isley
Producer(s) John Williams
The Housemartins singles chronology
"Think for a Minute"
(1986)
"Caravan of Love"
(1986)
"Five Get Over Excited"
(1987)

British indie band the Housemartins released "Caravan of Love" in November 1986. The a cappella song was a success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart on 16 December 1986 (only the second a cappella recording to do so, after "Only You" by the Flying Pickets in 1983), before being denied the Christmas number one single by a posthumous re-release of Jackie Wilson's "Reet Petite". The song was included on the Housemartins' greatest hits compilation Now That's What I Call Quite Good.

Track listings

7-inch vinyl single

Side one

  1. "Caravan of Love" – 3:40

Side two

  1. "When I First Met Jesus" – 2:46

12-inch vinyl single

Side one

  1. "Caravan of Love"
  2. "We Shall Not Be Moved"

Side two

  1. "When I First Met Jesus"
  2. "So Much in Love"
  3. "Heaven Help Us All (Sermonette)"

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Caravan of Love"
Chart (1986–1987) Peak
position
Australian (Kent Music Report) 24
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 7
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 5
Ireland (IRMA) 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 3
Netherlands (Single Top 100) 3
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 2
Norway (VG-lista) 2
Spain (AFYVE) 4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 2
UK Singles (OCC) 1
West Germany (Official German Charts) 2

Year-end charts

1987 year-end chart performance for "Caravan of Love"
Chart (1987) Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 58
European Top 100 Singles (Music & Media) 38
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 40
Netherlands (Single Top 100) 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 13
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 19
West Germany (Official German Charts) 16

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other versions