"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.
Isley-Jasper-Isley version
After breaking away from the legendary family group, the group (notably Chris Jasper) wrote and produced this single, which was Jasper's interpolation with reaching audiences by presenting Christian beliefs into his music. The song became the trio's biggest hit going to #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and #51 on the Billboard pop chart in 1985 and would be their only prominent hit before they splintered into solo careers in 1988.
Credits
- Lead vocals by Chris Jasper
- Background vocals by Ernie Isley and Marvin Isley
- Piano and keyboard by Chris Jasper
- Trombone by Peter Gabriel
- Bass by Marvin Isley
- Guitar by Ernie Isley
- Produced by Ernie Isley, Chris Jasper and Marvin Isley
Tracklistings
7" vinyl single
Side one
- "Caravan of Love" – 4:15
Side two
- "I Can't Get over Losin' You" – 4:05
12" vinyl single
Side one
- "Caravan of Love" – 5:43
Side two
- "I Can't Get over Losin' You" – 4:05
Chart performance
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[1] | 51 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks[1] | 1 |
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
| Dutch Top 40[2] | 21 |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary[1] | 16 |
The Housemartins version
British indie band The Housemartins released "Caravan of Love" in November 1986. The a cappella song was an instant smash, reaching number one in 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 not released on a Housemartins album, until the greatest hits compilation Now That's What I Call Quite Good.
Tracklistings
7" vinyl single
Side one
- "Caravan of Love" – 3:40
Side two
- "When I First Met Jesus" – 2:46
12" vinyl single
Side one
- "Caravan of Love"
- "We Shall Not Be Moved"
Side two
- "When I First Met Jesus"
- "So Much in Love"
- "Heaven Help Us All (Sermonette)"
Chart performance
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart[3] | 1 |
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
| Austrian Singles Chart[4] | 7 |
| Dutch Top 40[5] | 3 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart[6] | 2 |
| Swedish Singles Chart[7] | 1 |
| Swiss Singles Chart[8] | 2 |
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Other versions
- German singer Nena in 2006
- Jazz artist Terry Callier on his 2002 album, Speak Your Peace.
- Gospel singer Marvin Sapp with Christian contemporary singer Bob Carlisle and jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum from the WOW Gospel 2000 compilation.