Born the third of six brothers, Ronald, like many of his siblings, began his career in the church. He began singing at the age of three, winning a $25 war bond for singing at a spiritual contest at the Union Baptist Church. By the age of seven, Ronald was singing onstage at venues such as the Regal Theater in Chicago, alongside Dinah Washington and a few other notables.
In 1954, when Ronald was only 13, he and his brothers, Rudolph, O'Kelly and Vernon Isley, formed the original lineup of what would become the Isley Brothers. Beginning as a gospel quartet, they began singing alongside their father, O'Kelly, Sr. (also a singer in his own right at the time), and their mother Sallye (the group's first pianist).
Ronald carried on as the leader of the Isleys after Vernon's 1955 death in a bicycle accident at age 13. In 1957, the Isleys moved out of Cincinnati and headed to New York City, where they began recording doo-wop material for several record labels. After several failed attempts, the brothers hit pay dirt after cultivating a song that had been created after the brothers' inspired performance of Jackie Wilson's "Lonely Teardrops" at a 1959 Washington, D.C. show. After signing with RCA Records, the group released "Shout", a song that has since become a legendary rock and roll staple.
After the 1962 hit, "Twist and Shout", and a brief successful stint at Motown, the brothers formed the T-Neck record label (named after their New Jersey hometown) in 1968 and released the hugely successful funk anthem, "It's Your Thing", which won the group their only Grammy.
Ronald could sing rock & roll as well as funk and soul. In fact, Ronald is considered one of the original belters and vocalists of the rock era. After years singing in gritty gospel-infused vocals, Ronald introduced R&B audiences to his piercing falsetto and softer tenor in ballads that critics have hailed as some of the greatest love songs of all time, including "For the Love of You", "Harvest For the World", "Sensuality", "At Your Best", "Footsteps in the Dark", "I Need Your Body", "Choosey Lover", "Between the Sheets", and "Don't Say Goodnight." He still sang in his gritty tenor in hits like "That Lady", "Live It Up", "Fight the Power" and "Take Me to the Next Phase".
After the death of his oldest brother, O'Kelly, in 1986, Isley began working with soul singer-songwriter-producer Angela Winbush on the next Isley Brothers record, Smooth Sailin'. The album was released in 1987. Isley and Winbush shared a duet on Winbush's Sharp album (the top 40 R&B ballad "Hello, Beloved"), and in 1993, they were married. Winbush continued producing records with Isley for 1989's Spend the Night, 1991's The Tracks of Life (with a revamped version of the Isley Brothers), 1996's Mission to Please (from which Isley and Winbush scored a hit duet, "Floatin' On Your Love", whose remix featured Lil' Kim) and 2001's Eternal, before Isley and Winbush divorced in 2001. The former couple remains close.
Isley also collaborated with Rod Stewart in 1990 on Stewart's cover of the 1966 Isley Brothers hit "This Old Heart of Mine". The collaboration reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, one place higher than the original, and also hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
One of the founding members of the Isley Brothers, he and Ernie remain the only brothers (as of 2006) who remain in the group. His vocals have helped the Isleys become the longest-running charted group in music history. Few bands or artists could get away with having a hit in 1959, and still make hits in the new millennium. Isley has accomplished this feat with the hits "Contagious" (a Top 20 smash in 2001) and the Hot 100 singles "What Would You Do" and "Busted" (released in 2003). He was also was featured singing the hook in Swizz Beatz' "Big Business" and the remix, "Bigger Business".[citation needed]
Since the 1990s, he has become a sought-after vocalist for hip-hop artists like Warren G, Nas, UGK, Ja Rule and Jay-Z. In 1995, he began collaborating with one of his fans, R&B singer-songwriter R. Kelly, who had a hit duet with Ronald and brother Ernie with "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)", the first hit by the Isleys in a long time. In the video to the song, Kelly and Isley introduced youngsters to the "Mr. Biggs" character, which has since become a Ronald Isley trademark. The Mr. Biggs character has also been featured in the video of B2K's "Girlfriend".
In 1992, Ronald was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as the charter member of The Isley Brothers. Most recently, he recorded a solo album with producer Burt Bacharach on the album Here I Am in 2003. The next year, he and Patti LaBelle scored a modest R&B hit with the single, "Gotta Go Solo". Ron Isley also appears on a track with Tupac Shakur called "Po Nigga Blues", as well as "Better Dayz". Both songs appear on posthumous albums.
Isley and his wife are the parents of, Ronald, Jr., his first son. He has a daughter, Tawana, from an earlier marriage.
Give It to You
Ronald Isley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, yourselves, because the sound, the sound
The sound of making love
The baby makers, The Isley Brothers are back
Sugar, honey
It's been such a long, long time
Since you heard anything from me
But now that we are together
Let's take it back to between the sheets
Got the [Incomprehensible] watching you, girl, do what you will
Anything you do is fine with me
And you can take it how you want it
Many possibilities
And I'mma give it how you need it
Satisfaction guaranteed
And you can take it how you want it, girl
But you love it when you get on top
And I'mma give it how you need it
Once I start, it's gonna be hard to stop
Darling, shawty
You've got a awful whole lot to show me
The way you workin' down there, I don't know how to act
You gotta make me go back to the old me
And I'm gon' make you say
Oh, oh-ooh-oh
Mr. Beats, can you keep it right there?
And I'm gon' make you say
Oh, oh-ooh-oh
I promise to keep it right
And you can take it how you want it
Many possibilities
And I'mma give it how you need it
Satisfaction guaranteed
And you can take it how you want it, girl
But you love it when you get on top
And I'mma give it how you need it
Once I start, it's gonna be hard to stop
Let me break it all down
Let me put your coat down
Let me break it all down
Let me put it all down
Let me break it all down
Let me break it all down
For I know what you came to do
Oh, it feels so good
Said it feels so good
Feels so good
Said it feels so good
Feels so good
Said it feels so good
Would you let me take my time?
And you
And you can take it how you want it
Many possibilities
And I'mma give it how you need it
Satisfaction guaranteed
And you can take it how you want it, girl
But I love it when you get on top
And I'mma give it how you need it
Once I start, it's gonna be hard to stop
And you can take it how you want it
And I'mma give it how you need it
And you can take it how you want it, girl
And I'mma give it how you need it
Once I start, it's gonna be hard to stop
The lyrics of Ronald Isley's "Take It How You Want It" are a clear indication of the theme of the song: physical intimacy. The opening lines of the song introduce the concept of "baby makers," setting the tone for the rest of the song in a not-so-subtle way. Ronald Isley addresses both women and men, inviting everyone to enjoy the "sound of making love." He then goes on to express how long it's been since he's had the opportunity to create new music and acknowledges the hard work that has led to his success.
As the song builds, Isley encourages physical exploration with his partner, suggesting that she can take control and do whatever she wishes. Although the tone of the lyrics is overtly sexual, there is also an element of romance in the way that Isley croons to his partner, promising to satisfy her needs and delivering on that promise once he starts. The lyrics are bold and forward, but there is also a sense of mutual pleasure and partnership that is communicated through the song.
In summary, Ronald Isley's "Take It How You Want It" is an unapologetic celebration of physical intimacy between two partners. While the lyrics are straight forward and unmistakably sexual, there is also a sense of romance and mutual satisfaction communicated within them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen, women and every man
The singer is addressing the audience, regardless of gender.
Yes, yourselves, because the sound, the sound
The singer is introducing himself and his band, The Isley Brothers, as the source of a specific sound.
The sound of making love
The sound that the band is known for is the sound of making love or romantic music.
Sugar, honey
The singer is addressing his lover with endearing terms.
It's been such a long, long time
It has been a while since the singer has made music or seen his lover.
Since you heard anything from me
The singer has not released or produced any music in a while.
Understand, I been on my grind
The singer has been working hard and focusing on his career.
But now that we are together
Now that the singer and his lover are reunited, they can enjoy each other's company.
Let's take it back to between the sheets
The singer wants to have a romantic and intimate experience with his lover.
Got the [Incomprehensible] watching you, girl, do what you will
The singer and his band are watching his lover and encouraging her to do what she wants romantically.
Anything you do is fine with me
The singer is willing to do anything to please his lover and make her happy.
And you can take it how you want it
The singer is telling his lover that she can interpret their relationship in any way she wants.
Many possibilities
There are many different ways their relationship could progress or be defined.
And I'mma give it how you need it
The singer is going to do everything in his power to satisfy his lover's needs romantically.
Satisfaction guaranteed
The singer is confident that his lover will enjoy their romantic experience.
But you love it when you get on top
The singer's lover enjoys being in a dominant position during intimacy.
Once I start, it's gonna be hard to stop
The singer is going to engage in a long and satisfying romantic experience with his lover.
Darling, shawty
The singer is addressing his lover with more endearing terms.
You've got a awful whole lot to show me
The singer wants his lover to demonstrate her sexual prowess.
The way you workin' down there, I don't know how to act
The singer is sexually attracted to his lover and enjoys her style of intimacy.
You gotta make me go back to the old me
The singer wants his lover to reignite his passions and motivate him to be more passionate.
And I'm gon' make you say
The singer is going to inspire his lover to react positively to their romantic experience.
Mr. Beats, can you keep it right there?
The singer wants to maintain the rhythm and tempo of the music to keep the romantic experience going smoothly.
And you can take it how you want it, girl
The singer is reminding his lover that she can interpret their romantic experience in any way she wants.
Let me break it all down
The singer is going to explain what he wants their romantic experience to entail.
Let me put your coat down
The singer is going to prepare his lover for their intimate experience.
For I know what you came to do
The singer understands his lover's sexual desires and is going to act accordingly.
Oh, it feels so good
The singer is enjoying the romantic experience with his lover.
Would you let me take my time?
The singer wants to savor the romantic experience and take his time with his lover.
And you
The singer is addressing his lover directly.
And I'mma give it how you need it
The singer is going to make sure he satisfies his lover's romantic needs completely.
And you can take it how you want it
The singer is reiterating that his lover can interpret their relationship or romantic experience in any way she wants.
Once I start, it's gonna be hard to stop
The singer is going to engage in a long and satisfying romantic experience with his lover.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRISS JOHNSON, RONALD ISLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind