Introduction
Released in 1979 and nestled within the Osmonds’ Steppin’ Out album, “I, I, I” marks a distinct stylistic chapter for the venerable family band—infusing their trademark harmonies with an unexpected yet vibrant electronic disco edge. Crafted and composed by three brothers—Alan, Merrill, and Wayne Osmond—the song reflects the group’s hands-on creative approach and their willingness to explore new musical territories at the close of the 1970s. Production was helmed by Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees, whose own background in disco and pop conferred a polished, dance-ready sheen to the Osmonds’ evolving sound.
While not one of the band’s mainstream chart-toppers, “I, I, I” stands out as a collector’s phenomenon—initially pressed and distributed only for promotional purposes, its electrifying beat and crystalline vocals enchanted disco enthusiasts who encountered it. This rarity eventually earned wider recognition through a later pressing pairing “I, I, I” with the B-side “You’re Mine,” a testament to its enduring allure.
Musically, the track veers into electronic disco, a departure from the pop-rock and bubblegum sound that defined much of the Osmonds’ earlier hits. Yet, the song remains unmistakably Osmond at its core—anchored by tight familial harmonies and the melodic sensibility that their decade-long career had ingrained. It serves as a snapshot of the band’s adaptability—embracing the disco craze of the late 1970s while maintaining control over their songwriting and artistic identity.
In the broader arc of their storied career, “I, I, I” might not have ushered in a new wave of popularity, but it symbolizes the Osmonds’ creative resilience and their readiness to experiment—a disco-flavored outlier from a group typically known for wholesome pop. Today, it endures as a fascinating footnote: a rare gem that captures a moment when the Osmonds tapped into dance-floor energy and left a uniquely oscillating imprint on their musical legacy.