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's a New Thing
The Isley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do what you wanna do
I can't tell you
Who to sock it to
It's your thing
Do what you wanna do now
I can't tell you
If you want me to love you, maybe I will
I need you woman, it ain't no big deal
You need love now, just as bad as I do
Make's me no difference now, who you give your thing to
It's your thing (It's your thing)
Do what you wanna do
I can't tell you
Who to sock it to
It's your thing (It's your thing)
Do what you wanna do now
I can't tell you
Who to sock it to
It's your thing (It's your thing)
Do what you wanna do
I can't tell you
Who to sock it to
I'm not trying to run your life,
I know you wanna do what's right,
Ah, give your love girl, do whatever you choose,
How can you lose, with the stuff you use?
It's your thing (It's your thing)
Do what you wanna do
I can't tell you
Who to sock it to
It's your thing (It's your thing)
Do what you wanna do
Don't let me tell you
Who to sock it to
Let me hear you say it's my thing (It's your thing),
I do what I wanna do...
The Isley Brothers’ song “It’s a New Thing” is a soulful tune about the importance of individualism in relationships. The song tells the story of a man who is professing his love for a woman, but with the caveat that he can’t dictate what she does with her own life. He encourages her to be true to herself and live life on her own terms, even if that means “socking it” to someone else. The lyrics suggest that true love is about supporting each other’s autonomy and independence, rather than trying to control or constrain.
The repeated refrain of “It’s your thing, do what you wanna do” emphasizes the importance of self-determination and personal choice. The man is acknowledging that the woman has agency and should be free to make her own decisions, even if they don’t align with his own desires or expectations. He isn't trying to run her life, but giving her the freedom to choose and act according to her own will. This message of empowerment and respect is underscored by the catchy instrumental track, which features a pulsing bassline, tight brass section, and infectious rhythm guitar.
Overall, “It’s a New Thing” is a song that celebrates individualism, self-expression, and the joy of being true to oneself. It is a message that is just as relevant today as it was when the song was first released in 1969.
Line by Line Meaning
It's your thing
You have the freedom to make your own choices.
Do what you wanna do
Live your life on your own terms and do what fulfills you.
I can't tell you
I have no right to dictate your actions or decisions.
Who to sock it to
I cannot tell you who to love or give your affection to.
If you want me to love you, maybe I will
I am open to loving you if that is what you desire.
I need you woman, it ain't no big deal
I have feelings for you, but it's not something that should cause pressure or stress.
You need love now, just as bad as I do
You crave love and affection in the same way that I do.
Make's me no difference now, who you give your thing to
I don't care who you choose to love or give your attention to.
I'm not trying to run your life
I have no intention of controlling or interfering with your life.
I know you wanna do what's right
I trust you to make the decisions that are best for you.
Ah, give your love girl, do whatever you choose
Express your love freely and do what makes you happy.
How can you lose, with the stuff you use?
What you do and the choices you make will bring you happiness and fulfillment.
Don't let me tell you
I have no authority to dictate your choices or behavior.
Let me hear you say it's my thing (It's your thing)
Confirm that you recognize your own agency and are in control of your own life.
I do what I wanna do
Reaffirming that you have the freedom to live your life on your own terms.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@a.a.armstrong5326
For my Grandma Anna, who passed yesterday at 97, she loved the Isleys! She did her thing and she did what she wanted to do!
@maureeng.obrien9259
A QUEEN.
EXCELLENT!!!!
I LOVE HER!
AND YOU!
@red5158077
Yeah she did the old time timers had the jams and the style and good times
@rayharness8332
Your Gran knew the good stuff in life. My Dad went 19 years ago, always telling me, " turn that xxxx down". Never understood the problem myself!
@joylannetter2451
That's what I'm talking about!
Praise God for the longevity of Grandma and your having been able to enjoy her thoroughly before she transitioned!!
@howiekarpe4564
Bless her heart
@onlythemarkk
After watching that one movie
This song will haunt me forever
@bigfatdohnut
LMAO that scene was funny
@NateS917
@@bigfatdohnut "want me to be the hamburglar? Rabble rabble, rabble rabble
@bigfatdohnut
@@NateS917 IM FILLIN YOU!!