Together with a fourth brother, Vernon, the group performed gospel music until Vernon's death a few years after its formation. After moving to the New York City area in the late 1950s, the group had their first successes during these early years, first coming to prominence in 1959 with their fourth single, "Shout", written by the three brothers. Initially a modest charted single, the song eventually sold over a million copies. In the 1960s, the group recorded songs for a variety of labels, including the top 20 single "Twist and Shout" and the Motown single "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)", before recording and issuing the Grammy Award-winning hit "It's Your Thing" on their own label, T-Neck Records.
Influenced by gospel and doo-wop music, the group began experimenting with different musical styles incorporating elements of rock and funk as well as pop balladry. The inclusion of younger brothers Ernie Isley (lead guitar, drums) and Marvin Isley (bass guitar), and Rudolph's brother-in-law Chris Jasper (keyboards, synthesizers), in 1973 turned the original vocal trio into a complete band and reached the height of their success. For the next full decade, they recorded a string of top-selling albums from 3 + 3 to Between the Sheets, including the number one album The Heat Is On.
The six-member band splintered in 1983, with Ernie, Marvin, and Chris Jasper forming the short-lived spinoff group Isley-Jasper-Isley. The oldest member, O'Kelly, died in 1986 and Rudolph and Ronald released a pair of albums as a duo before Rudolph retired to a life in the Christian ministry in 1989. Ronald reconvened the group two years later in 1991 with Ernie and Marvin; five years later, in 1996, Marvin Isley left the group due to complications of diabetes. The remaining duo of Ronald and Ernie achieved mainstream success with the albums Mission to Please (1996), Eternal (2001) and Body Kiss (2003). Eternal spawned the top twenty hit "Contagious". As of 2019, the Isley Brothers continue to perform under the lineup of Ronald and Ernie.
The Isley Brothers have sold over 18 million units in the United States alone. They have had several hit songs including four Top 10 singles on the United States Billboard chart. With their first major hit charting in 1959 ("Shout"), and their last one in 2001 ("Contagious"), they are among the few groups ever to have hit the Billboard Hot 100 with new music in five different decades. Sixteen of their albums charted in the Top 40 and thirteen of those albums have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. The brothers have been honored by several musical institutions, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted them in 1992. Five years later, they were added to Hollywood's Rockwalk, and in 2003 they were inducted to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. They received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Isley_Brothers
Studio albums
Shout! (1959)
Twist & Shout (1962)
Twisting and Shouting (1963)
This Old Heart of Mine (1966)
Soul on the Rocks (1967)
It's Our Thing (1969)
The Brothers: Isley (1969)
Get into Something (1970)
Givin' It Back (1971)
Brother, Brother, Brother (1972)
3 + 3 (1973)
Live It Up (1974)
The Heat Is On (1975)
Harvest for the World (1976)
Go for Your Guns (1977)
Showdown (1978)
Winner Takes All (1979)
Go All the Way (1980)
Grand Slam (1981)
Inside You (1981)
The Real Deal (1982)
Between the Sheets (1983)
Masterpiece (1985)
Smooth Sailin' (1987)
Spend the Night (1989)
Tracks of Life (1992)
Mission to Please (1996)
Eternal (2001)
Body Kiss (2003)
Baby Makin' Music (2006)
Power of Peace (2017)
When the Saints Go Marching in
The Isley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, when the saints go marching in
I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
Oh, when the sun, refuses to shine
Oh, when the saints go marching in
I still, want to be in that number
When the sun refuses to shine
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
I'm going to sing aloud and thunder
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Yes, I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
I still want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
The Isley Brothers' When the Saints Go Marching in is a joyous gospel hymn that speaks of the desire to be among the company of saints when they go marching into heaven. The song is a celebration of hope, faith, and the joy that comes with believing in an eternal life. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, expressing a longing to be part of the joyful procession of saints as they enter heaven's gates. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy tune make it a popular choice for both religious and secular settings.
The first verse of the song speaks of the desire to be counted among the saints when they enter heaven. The second verse suggests a steadfast faith that remains even in the face of adversity. The sun may refuse to shine, but the hope of being with the saints remains unshaken. The third verse expresses a joyful confidence in the knowledge that one day, the singer will indeed be part of the procession of saints. The final verse reiterates the desire to be included and underscores the unyielding faith that even death cannot diminish.
Overall, The Isley Brothers' When the Saints Go Marching in is a powerful reminder that faith and hope are essential to a fulfilled life. It speaks to the universal human desire to believe in an eternal existence and find meaning beyond the fleeting moments of life on earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Anticipating the moment when the pious souls are led into their eternal reward.
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Joyful anticipation for the time when righteous souls ascend to heaven.
I want to be in that number
Aspires to be among the blessed souls who attain salvation.
When the saints go marching in
On the day when the righteous ascend to heaven.
Oh, when the sun, refuses to shine
Even in times of darkness and despair, desires to be one of the righteous saints who ascend to eternal life.
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Reaffirming the hope and aspiration to join the righteous souls.
I still, want to be in that number
Despite the hardships and challenges, yearning for a place among the blessed souls in heaven.
When the sun refuses to shine
In the most difficult moments of life, still seeking salvation and eternal life with the saints.
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Echoing the joyous anticipation for the day when the righteous are led to paradise.
I'm going to sing aloud and thunder
Arousing great joy and enthusiasm at the thought of finally achieving salvation.
When the saints go marching in
Repeating the hopeful expectation for the righteous to be led into paradise.
Yes, I want to be in that number
Emphatically expressing the desire to be among the blessed souls who achieve eternal life.
When the saints go marching in
Re-emphasizing the hope and aspiration for the righteous to ascend to heaven.
I still want to be in that number
Reaffirming the unwavering desire to attain salvation and be among the righteous who achieve eternal life.
When the saints go marching in
The hopeful anticipation and yearning to join the chosen and pious souls in their final journey.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind