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)
It
The Isley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the heaven I need to see
Boy, you're the promise everlasting
And where you are I hope to be, and oh
Make me say it again girl (make me say it, say it again boy)
Make me say it again boy (say it again boy)
Make me say it again girl
You're all I need, oh yes you are, you're all I need
Whatever pain's inside, you make it better (better, make it better, make it better)
You seem to realize when I'm concerned
You are the only one who goes through the changes (through the changes in life)
Givin' my life directions when I am turned
Make me say it again boy (say it again boy)
Make me say it again girl (make me say it, say it again boy)
Make me say it again boy
You're all I need, oh yes you are, you're all
You're all I need, oh yes you are, you're all I need (you're all I need, all I need)
How am I worthy of love from an angel?
Your king imperial of my soul
Don't really matter if you choose not to answer
Hopin' that what I reveal you already know, and oh
Make me say it again boy (say it again boy)
Make me say it again girl (make me say it, say it again boy)
Make me say it again girl (make me say it)
You're all I need, oh yes you are, you're all, all
You're all I, you're all I need (you're all I need)
Oh sweet baby
Boy, you're all I need (girl I love you)
Boy, you're all I need (I love you)
Girl, you're all I need (I'm listenin')
Girl, you're all I need (I need to say it)
Boy, you're all I need (I love you, I love you, I love you)
Boy, you're all I need (I love you, I love you, I love you)
Girl, you're all I need (I love you, I love you, oh baby)
Girl, you're all I need
Boy, you're all I need (I wanna say it, I got to say it)
Boy, you're all I need (I want to say it to all of me)
Girl, you're all I need (convinced you are, convinced you are)
Girl, you're all I need
Girl, you're all I need (you're all I need, oh baby)
Girl, you're all I need
Girl, you're all I need (you're all I need)
Girl, you're all I need
You're all I need
You're all I need
The Isley Brothers's song "It's Your Thing" sends a message of individualism and personal freedom. The lyrics encourage one to do what they want without external pressure or judgment. The central message is relayed by repeating the phrase "It's your thing, do what you wanna do" throughout the song. The singer highlights that they cannot dictate the actions of another and that they cannot tell someone who to love.
The song also suggests that love and intimacy are personal choices that should not be influenced by anyone else. The lyrics mention that the singer does not care who their partner gives their love to as long as they are happy. The line "How can you lose with the stuff you use now" also implies that what someone brings to a relationship makes them unique and valuable. The lyrics celebrate personal expression and urge listeners to embrace their individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
It's your thing, do what you wanna do
You have autonomy over your life and actions. Be true to yourself and pursue what you want.
I can't tell you, who to sock it to
I have no right to dictate or control your choices, especially as they relate to intimacy and relationships.
If you want me to love you, maybe I will
I am open to the possibility of loving you, but it depends on whether you truly want me to.
Believe me woman, it ain't no big deal
I assure you, it's not a problem or inconvenience for me to love you.
You need love now, just as bad as I do
We both have a desire and need for love in our lives.
Make's me no difference now, who you give your thing to
I genuinely don't care who you choose to give your love and affection to.
I'm not trying to run your life, I know you wanna do what's right
I'm not attempting to control or manipulate you. I trust that you will make the choices that are best for you.
Give your love now, to whoever you choose
Love freely and without reservation, directed towards whoever you feel is deserving.
How can you lose, with the stuff you use now
With the abundant love and passion you possess, how could you possibly go wrong?
Don't let me tell you, who to sock it to
You don't need my approval or guidance in deciding who to love and how to express that love.
It's your thing, I do what I wanna do
Just as you have the power to choose, so do I. We should both embrace our individuality and pursue our own desires.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher H Jasper, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O'kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MacLethal
You know shit is real when someone pulls a sword on you.
@angeldavis1988ad
I remember when this song came out! Makes me feel old;-)
@kimflash6323
Yep, but one should never pull out his/her sword w/o using it...cause noow' it's open season.
@maniaaliyahxo
Lmaoooooo
@niecygrl
😂😂😂
@taygilly633
dwfl that had mi weak *****
@CrestedSaguaro520
Rest easy, Rudolph Isley. 🕊 You gave us so much great music. We won't forget you and you'll live on through your music! 🎶🎵
@owenhunt
Been blasting their albums again since my summer holiday. Was shocked to finish listening to 'Choosey Lover' only to find an Isley brother had passed. RIP. They are always my number 1 band to listen to on an Iberian getaway
@ttbrooke
Ron Isley at 81 aging like a fine wine. I saw him in concert a few months ago. His voice is still amazing at 81!
@mutantkami1660
Shit yeah he looks good for 81