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)
Footsteps in the Dark Pts. 1 & 2
The Isley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can a love that lasted for so long still endure?
Do I really care? Hey, hey
Let's talk about the distractions goin' on elsewhere
I keep hearin' footsteps, baby
(In the) in the dark, oh, in the dark
Why? I keep hearin' footsteps, baby
My mind drifts now and then
Lookin' down dark corridors and wonders what might have been
Something's up ahead
Hey, should I keep this same direction or go back instead?
I, I keep hearin' footsteps, baby
(In the) in the dark, oh, in the dark
Why? I keep hearin' footsteps, baby
(In the) in the dark, oh, in the dark, ooh
Honey, now let's stop walkin' around
When there's love lost to be found
Oh, and you know I still care, I still care
What's the sense of goin' elsewhere?
Who feels really sure?
Can that feelin' guarantee your happiness shall endure?
And do we really care? Hey, hey
Let's look at what's been happenin' and try to be more aware
I, I keep hearin' footsteps, baby
(In the) in the dark, ayy, in the dark
Why? I keep hearin' footsteps, baby
(In the) in the dark, oh, in the dark, ooh
Yeah, let's stop walkin' around, yeah
Well, when there's love lost, lost to be found
Oh, honey, you know I still care, I still care
What's the sense of goin', goin' elsewhere? Yeah
Oh, honey, let's stop walkin' around and around and around
When there's no love to be found
Hey, baby, you know, I still care, I still care
What's the sense of goin', goin' elsewhere?
The Isley Brothers' "Footsteps in the Dark" is a soulful ballad that explores the doubts and uncertainties of a long-lasting love relationship. The opening lines question whether a love that has endured for so long can still last. The singer wonders if he really cares about the relationship anymore, and suggests they talk about the distractions going on elsewhere. He keeps hearing footsteps in the dark, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the doubts and uncertainties plaguing his relationship. His mind drifts and wonders what might have been, and he is unsure of whether to keep going in the same direction or go back instead.
The chorus repeats the haunting phrase "I keep hearin' footsteps, baby, in the dark," which could be interpreted as a plea for clarity and answers. The bridge urges the couple to stop walking around when there is still love to be found, and the final verse asks whether their feelings can guarantee their happiness will endure. The song ends with the affirmation that the singer still cares, and questions what sense there would be in looking elsewhere. The Isley Brothers' poignant lyrics and signature soulful sound make "Footsteps in the Dark" a timeless classic that has resonated with audiences for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Are we really sure
Doubting the strength of a relationship that has lasted a long time
Can a love that lasted for so long still endure?
Wondering if their love can continue despite doubts
Do I really care? Hey, hey
Questioning the importance of the relationship
Let's talk about the distractions goin' on elsewhere
Suggesting that outside factors may be causing issues in the relationship
I keep hearin' footsteps, baby
Feeling anxious and unsure about the future
(In the) in the dark, oh, in the dark
Feeling lost and uncertain
Why? I keep hearin' footsteps, baby
Expressing confusion and concern
My mind drifts now and then
Getting lost in thought about what could have been
Lookin' down dark corridors and wonders what might have been
Reflecting on missed opportunities and regrets
Something's up ahead
Feeling uncertain about what the future holds
Hey, should I keep this same direction or go back instead?
Questioning whether to continue with the current path or go back to what was familiar
Honey, now let's stop walkin' around
Suggesting that they address their issues head-on
When there's love lost to be found
Stating that they should try to repair their relationship
Oh, and you know I still care, I still care
Reassuring their partner that their love is still present
What's the sense of goin' elsewhere?
Questioning the point of looking for love elsewhere
Who feels really sure?
Expressing doubt about anyone feeling completely confident in a relationship
Can that feelin' guarantee your happiness shall endure?
Questioning whether love is enough to maintain long-lasting happiness
And do we really care? Hey, hey
Asking if they truly value their relationship
Let's look at what's been happenin' and try to be more aware
Suggesting that they take a closer look at their relationship and communication
Yeah, let's stop walkin' around, yeah
Encouraging action and change
Well, when there's love lost, lost to be found
Pointing out that there is still hope for their relationship
Oh, honey, you know I still care, I still care
Reiterating their love and commitment
What's the sense of goin', goin' elsewhere? Yeah
Stating that there is no point in seeking love elsewhere
Oh, honey, let's stop walkin' around and around and around
Reinforcing the need for action and change
When there's no love to be found
Acknowledging the lack of love in their current situation
Hey, baby, you know, I still care, I still care
Reassuring their partner of their love and commitment
What's the sense of goin', goin' elsewhere?
Reiterating that searching for love elsewhere is not a viable solution
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley, Christopher Jasper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zaxarian7296
Lyrics for anyone that wants them.
Are we really sure
That a love that lasted for so long
Still endures?
Do I, really care?
Hey hey
Let's talk about the distractions going on elsewhere
I, keep hearing footsteps baby
In the dark, oh in the dark
Why? I keep hearing footsteps baby
In the dark
Oh in the dark, hoo
My mind
Just now and then
Looking down dark corridors and wonders what might have been
Something's up ahead
Hey, should I keep this same direction
Or go back instead?
I, keep hearing footsteps baby
In the dark, oh in the dark
Why? I keep hearing footsteps baby
In the dark
Oh in the dark, hoo
Honey let's stop walking around
When there's love lost to be found
Aah, you Know I still care, I still care
What's the sense in going elsewhere?
Who feels, really sure?
Can I really guarantee your happiness shall endure?
Do we, really care?
Hey hey
Let's look at what's been happening and try to be more aware
I, keep hearing footsteps baby
In the dark, oh in the dark
Why? I keep hearing footsteps baby
In the dark
Oh in the dark, hoo
Let's stop walking around
Well when there's love, lost to be found
Oh baby, you Know, I still care, I still care
What's the sense in going elsewhere?
Let's stop walking around
Well when there's love, lost to be found
Oh baby, you Know, I still care, I still care
What's the sense in going elsewhere?
@prodtoxyn
Just waking up in the morning, gotta thank GOD
@whatthepork9
I dont know, but today feels kinda odd.
@The_Top_Gun.
@@whatthepork9No barkin’ from the dog. No smog.
@thelostnooby4121
@@The_Top_Gun. And momma cooked a breakfast with no hog
@grillfindor
I got my grub on, but didn't pig out
@thelostnooby4121
@@grillfindor Finally, got a call from a girl I wanna dig out
@AnCapone1899
70's: Footsteps in the dark
90's: Footsteps in da hood
@johnharris4899
70s= Isley Bros
90s=Ice Cube
@ross735
@@johnharris4899 2020 = SiR
@nakulsuresh9272
@@ross735 Thundercat too