# Caravan of Love

"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

* Chris Jasper: Keyboards, lead vocals, piano, production
* Ernie Isley: Guitar, backing vocals, production
* Marvin Isley: Bass, backing vocals, production

### Track listings
#### 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 | 51 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 1 |
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
| Canada (RPM) | 74 |
| Canada (RPM AC) | 24 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 21 |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 16 |

## The Housemartins version

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 an international hit reaching the top 3 in several countries, including no.1 in Ireland and Sweden. It is included on the Housemartins' greatest hits compilation Now That's What I Call Quite Good.

### Track listings

7-inch vinyl single
Side one
* "Caravan of Love" – 3:40
Side two
* "When I First Met Jesus" – 2:46
12-inch 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)"

### 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 (GfK) | 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

* In 2003, Australian born Irish singer Johnny Logan recorded the song on his album, We All Need Love.
* In 2004, German pop group Preluders covered the song on their album, Prelude to History.
* In 2010, the song was covered by Chrisma Project, featuring Eurovision legend Martina Majerle and Mr. B.
* British pop singer Pixie Lott released a charity version of the song in November 2014, as the lead single from her first hits collection, Platinum Pixie: Hits. The song charted at number 129 on the UK Singles Chart.