The Isley Brothers are an American musical group originally from Cincinnati… Read Full Bio ↴The Isley Brothers are an American musical group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, that started as a vocal trio consisting of brothers O'Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley in the 1950s. With a career spanning over eight decades, the group has enjoyed one of the "longest, most influential, and most diverse careers in the pantheon of popular music".

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)

Fire And Rain
The Isley Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)

I always thought
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)
I will see you again
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)

I always thought

(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)
I will see you again
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)

Now I see fire
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)
I've seen rain
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)

Seen sunny days
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)
I thought would never end
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)

I always thought
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)
Will I see you again
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)
I always thought

Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this mornin' and I wrote down this song
Now I just can't remember who to send it to

I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again

Girl I thought that I'd see you

So won't you like down on me Jesus
You gotta help me make a stand
You just got to see me through another day
My body's achin' and my time is at hand
And I just can't make it any other way

I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you

Girl I thought that I'd see you
I thought that I'd see you
I thought I'd see you babe

Walkin' my mind back to easy times my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around
There's hours of time on the telephone line talking about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground

Oh I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
Oh but I always thought that I'd see you again

Girl I thought I'd see you, babe
Thought that I'd see you
Thought I'd see you

I always thought
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)
When I see you again
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)

I've seen fire
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)
I've seen rain
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)

Seen sunny days
(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)

I thought would never end
(Thought I'd see you)

Overall Meaning

The Isley Brothers' song Fire and Rain is a cover of James Taylor's 1970 hit song of the same name, and it was released in 1975. The song is a heart-wrenching reflection on the shock and loss of death, and the aftermath of its impact on the living. The lyrics "Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again" repeats throughout the song, and it represents the shock and disbelief that follows the news of a loved one's untimely death.

The song starts with the lines "Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone," and it signifies the moment when the singer receives the news of the death, and it's bewildered by its suddenness. The repetition of "I've seen fire and I've seen rain" can be interpreted as the ups and downs of life, with fire representing the high points and rain representing the low points. The lines "Walkin' my mind back to easy times my back turned towards the sun/Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around," signify the singer's memories of the past and how the sudden death has disrupted their life.

The song ends with the repetition of "Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again," signifying the singer's continued shock and disbelief that their loved one is gone. The use of religious imagery in the lines "So won't you lay down on me Jesus/You've got to help me make a stand," represents the singer's plea to a higher power for support and guidance during their time of grief.

Line by Line Meaning

I always thought
The singer had a firm belief

(Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you again)
That he would meet the addressee again

I will see you again
The singer believes that he will meet the addressee in the future

Now I see fire
The artist has witnessed destruction and pain

I've seen rain
The artist has experienced difficult times

Seen sunny days
The singer has experienced happiness

I thought would never end
The singer believed that his happiness would last forever

Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
The artist has received news of the addressee's death

Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
Suzanne's plans resulted in her death

I walked out this mornin' and I wrote down this song
The artist is expressing his emotions through music

Now I just can't remember who to send it to
The singer doesn't know who to dedicate this song to

So won't you like down on me Jesus
The artist is calling out to Jesus for help

You gotta help me make a stand
The singer needs support to face his difficult times

My body's achin' and my time is at hand
The singer is physically and mentally exhausted

And I just can't make it any other way
The singer needs divine intervention to overcome his struggles

Walkin' my mind back to easy times my back turned towards the sun
The artist remembers happy memories

Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around
Difficult times can change a person's perspective

There's hours of time on the telephone line talking about things to come
The singer engaged in long conversations about the future

Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
The singer's dreams and plans failed

Girl I thought I'd see you, babe
The artist expected to meet the addressee in his lifetime

Thought that I'd see you
The artist believed that he would reunite with the addressee

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Taylor

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@conweez

3y↑11

This whole album is incredible! Love how the Isley’s reimagined all of these songs. On all of the curated Isley Brothers compilations this album is totally overlooked. The Isleys’ take on folk music deserves more recognition and appreciation.

@paulpelt2943

Have you heard Ohio / Machine gun).

@nazzeroo1945

2y↑3

Lordy lordy. I had no idea this existed. Outstanding.

@jeffcannon7763

1y↑1

I’m usually partial to originals, but this cover just blows JT’s hit completely away!

@eldawg1325

3y↑7

I am 35 yrs old. Isley's are ahead of my time. But thanks to my parents. They have always been my favorite group. They don't get enough credit for how talented they were.

@walkerrashad948

3y↑7

Hands down.. the best version of this song.. The Isley Brothers took this song to another level !!!!!

@user-qk8uh4me5v

Agreed!!!

@edfigueroa6765

Whao,this is whole other level interpretation,with all due respect, has JT ever commented on this version? That intro is out of this world, still finding Isley Brothers gems on youtube...2023! 🙏❤️🎶💯

@user-qk8uh4me5v

2y↑3

Lord have mercy! A touching rendition of a timeless classic. Perhaps the definitive cover of Fire and Rain.

@MKjoro

2y↑2

Love finding old gems like this. Old to me at least

@tehhkrmn65

5y↑7

I was in tears the first time I heard the first verse. I fuckin love this version. The original gets me going too, but this is unreal.

@mr.tonywilliams1236

This is incredible

@7554EdwardG

3y↑9

The depth of feeling in this version of the song is a thing of real beauty. Beautifully sung and the instrumentation is so finely judged, not to overpower but to embrace the vocals. Timeless.

@saxworthmusic

2y↑1

They do such great covers !

@bassmanc

7y↑23

These brothas are on another level!

@Repunza

5y↑2

Yes they are... They are really above and beyond many of these other groups

@hollies56789

5y↑1

THIS IS A GREAT COVER---BUT THE GREATEST COVER THEY HAVE DONE WAS SUMMER BREEZE--FOR MY OPINION

@user-qk8uh4me5v

For real!

@chrisbrown4904

20w

This track is dope, gives me goosebumps, classic Isley Brothers shit

@0verl6rd18

4y↑6

the isley brother have been rockin for the last 50 years and still on top of the music game Jamie farrington

@ericstonsloan7671

4y↑3

My first and favorite Isley album🎹🎸🎙

@kincamell2

3y↑1

Much Gratitude

@rjam1974

9y↑31

I love how the Isley's took a trip on this. Made it like a psychedelic rock/funk song on this. Beautiful interpretation of the classic James Taylor version

@Provemewrongwithfacts

2y↑1

Big Isley bros fan, here. But listening to this made me wanna hear the JT version. Certain songs they improved on like "It's too late" and the classic, "Summer breeze," but not this one.

@Mr1brum1

7y↑13

The beginning of this song is chilling.

@vallergy

11y↑11

The Isley Brothers did fantastic original songs as well as fantastic cover songs.

@danreigert1115

5y↑2

This version....makes me forget about James Taylor. Beautiful!

@galeofdarkNES

51w

That intro 🔥

@LUVJONZ99

11y↑13

The Isley Brothers and Issac Hayes had their unique way of intrepreting songs.

@user-qk8uh4me5v

That they did. That they did...

@flashjac1

11y↑8

THE ISLEY BROTHERS FOR WHATEVER REASON BY JUST THEIR TALENT OR SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT THEY ONLY HAD OR MAYBE THEIR SONGWRITERS WERE JUST THAT GOOD, RECORDS WERE SO DAMN GOOD. EVERY TIME I GOT ONE OF THEIR RECORDS, LP, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SIDE TO PLAY FIRST.MAN I JUST HOPE BEFORE I DIE, MUSIC WOULD RETURN BACK TO THE WAY IT USED TO BE WHEN SINGERS SONG AND DID NOT JUST CUSS, TALK, ETC.

@omi922

5y↑1

Wow what a take on this song. Kind of blows my perspective on any song I could possibly know!

@azurskyz

8y↑13

Without a doubt, one of the greatest r&b groups ever! The Isley Brothers were/are in a league of their own with music that spoke both to the heart and mind. Don't know what else I can say. Their interpretation of James Taylor's 'Fire and Rain' is nothing short of phenomenal. Give a listen and you'll see.

@walkerrashad948

3y↑2

Not one of them, they are the greatest r&b group of all time.. they had hits in every decade from the fifties up until the 2000s, name one group or even individual r&b act that comes even close !!!!!!!

@hollies56789

6y↑4

THIS WILL BE THE BEST VERSION I VE HEARD-~~THE COMPLETE ALBUM IS GREAT LOVE THE ONE---LAY LADY --~~ A PEARL

@0verl6rd18

4y↑1

fire rain beautiful tune but sad makes and statement nice vibe love the isly brother Jamie

@birdmansclambake

5y↑2

Wicked version

@danandhibb

7y↑11

James Taylor did it first. The Isley brothers did it there way with respect to James Taylor.

@AEMoreira81

James Taylor did it first, but this captures the feelings even better than he did (even though he wrote the song).

@PyroLeo1

@Adam Moreira I'm not sure. I love both versions, just discovered the Isley. But the song is about Taylor's friend Suzanne who committed and drug addiction, this version sounds life a romantic love song.

@pelotasdad

5y↑3

this is awesome.... what a great surprise. thanks for posting this.

@TheNinobrown68

9y↑2

My first time hearing this and this super tight!!

@cindydufala7646

4y↑1

Bravo ⚘

@trfesok

7y↑4

In my Taylor playlist with the original version. Thanks for the upload!

@leslieemaxon

4y↑2

WOWZZZZaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, YIKEsssssszzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@AEMoreira81

7y↑6

I'm very familiar with the original...but this actually captures the feeling of the James Taylor song better than he did.

@robertmpatton

10y↑7

Wow! Almost as cool as the Bobby Womack version.

@electro77

11y↑3

Better than original. For me the best adaptation of this song. BS & Tears is also worth listening to and also better then original version. Thanks.

@SuperC888

4y↑3

Written by JamesTaylor.

@darhyllacy3671

4y↑2

Indeed.Always been a fan of his. Many of his songs fit right in there for an R&B interpretation.

@flashjac1

12y↑5

THIS WHOLE ALBUM IS BAD. YES I SAID ALBUM, NOT CD. ETC. THIS WAS BACK IN THE DAY WHEN THAT RAP CRAP WOULD GET YOU LAUGHED AT BECAUSE YOU HAD TO SING!!!!!!!!!!!. YOU COULD REALLY HEAR THE TALENT THAT IS LACKING TODAY IN SO MANY SO CALLED ARTISTS, EXCEPTIONS, ALICIA, USHER, MS BEY WHO IS SO TALENTED, AND THE OTHERS WHO KNOW WHO THEY ARE!!!!!! BRING BACK MUSIC INSTEAD OF TALK.