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)
Secret Lover
The Isley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La da da da da la da da
Oh yeah
La da da da da la da da
Oh, yeah yeah
Oh
I been waiting for you girl
So much on my mind I want to to do
(And like) mess around
(Like) all night long
Girl, let's get it on
1 - My secret lover
My mystery girl
I want to play hide and seek
Baby, let's creep between the sheets tonight
My secret lover
My mystery girl
I want to play hide and seek
Baby, let's creep between the sheets tonight
My door is open wide, let me come inside
Shadows fill the room from the candlelights
See our bodies moving to the groove, yeah
So girl let's get it on, ain't no time to loose
You got me on cloud nine
And I don't want to come down
Your lovin' soothes my soul
And I love it when you come around
Repeat 1
This meal is on my plate
I can't wait to taste, taste you girl
Good lovin' going down all around this place
(Like) upstairs
(And like) down there
(Like) everywhere
Woman, I don't care
Repeat 1
If the wind blows, no one knows
'Bout the hiding place on my porch
You body's cold, let me step to you
And rub you down nice and slow
Nothing but the water
And opportunity for you and me
So baby girl just ride my wave
Until the next day
Can't you feel me babe, oh baby
My secret lover
My secret lover
The Isley Brothers’s song Secret Lover is about a relationship that isn’t as it seems, a relationship that is a secret between the two lovers involved. The song is sung by lead singer Ron Isley, who captures the essence of a man craving the love and affection of his secret lover. In the intro, Ron Isley declares his love and admiration towards the woman, telling her he has been waiting for her for a long time, and he wants to do much with her. The idea of wanting to lay her down, mess around and spend all night long with her, is conveyed through this section.
In the chorus, Ron Isley sings that he doesn't want anyone to know about his secret lover, and he wants her to play hide and seek with him. He suggests that they creep between the sheets tonight and let go of all inhibitions. The verses of the song contain strong sexual imagery where Ron Isley describes how he wants to taste his lover, how he wants to be with her everywhere and how he doesn't care who knows about them. In the bridge, he urges his lover to let go of everything and just ride his wave. The song conveys the idea that sometimes a love so strong can only be hidden from the world, and two people can form a connection that is so intimate that it can't be seen by others.
Line by Line Meaning
La da da da da la da da
The singer is using nonsensical phrases to create a catchy opening.
Oh yeah
The singer is expressing excitement and enthusiasm.
I been waiting for you girl
The singer has been anticipating the arrival of his lover.
So much on my mind I want to to do
The singer has many desires and thoughts about the activities he wants to engage in with his lover.
(Like) lay you down
The singer wants to have sex with his lover and is suggesting that he would like to lay her down.
(And like) mess around
The singer is suggesting that he wants to engage in sexual activities that may involve experimentation and playfulness.
(Like) all night long
The singer wants to engage in sexual activities for an extended period of time.
Girl, let's get it on
The singer is eager to have sex with his lover and is suggesting that they should begin.
My secret lover
The singer has a lover who is a secret from others and perhaps unofficial.
My mystery girl
The singer's lover is someone he is still trying to figure out and understand.
I want to play hide and seek
The singer is using a game of hide and seek as a metaphor for the secretive nature of their affair.
Baby, let's creep between the sheets tonight
The singer is suggesting that they should engage in sexual activities in bed tonight.
My door is open wide, let me come inside
The singer is suggesting that his lover should allow him into her life and her heart.
Shadows fill the room from the candlelights
The room is dimly lit by the light of candles, creating a romantic atmosphere.
See our bodies moving to the groove, yeah
The singer and his lover are in sync with each other and the music.
So girl let's get it on, ain't no time to loose
The singer is suggesting that they should have sex without hesitation or delay.
You got me on cloud nine
The singer is experiencing feelings of euphoria and happiness due to his lover's presence.
And I don't want to come down
The singer is enjoying the feelings of happiness and does not want them to end.
Your lovin' soothes my soul
The singer's lover brings him comfort and peace.
And I love it when you come around
The singer enjoys his lover's company and presence.
This meal is on my plate
The singer is in control of the situation and is taking the lead in their sexual activities.
I can't wait to taste, taste you girl
The singer is eagerly anticipating performing oral sex on his lover.
Good lovin' going down all around this place
The singer is suggesting that there is a lot of good sex happening in the vicinity.
(Like) upstairs
The singer is suggesting that they should have sex on the upper level of the house or building.
(And like) down there
The singer is suggesting that they should have sex on the lower level of the house or building.
(Like) everywhere
The singer is suggesting that they should have sex in many different locations and positions.
Woman, I don't care
The singer does not care where they have sex or what they do, as long as they are together.
If the wind blows, no one knows
The singer is suggesting that they can engage in sexual activities without anyone knowing or catching them.
'Bout the hiding place on my porch
The singer is suggesting that they have a secret hiding place on his porch where they can engage in sexual activities undisturbed.
You body's cold, let me step to you
The singer is suggesting that he can warm up his lover's cold body through physical touch.
And rub you down nice and slow
The singer is suggesting that he wants to give his lover a slow and sensual massage.
Nothing but the water
The singer is suggesting that they are engaging in sexual activities in a body of water, such as a pool or hot tub.
And opportunity for you and me
The singer is suggesting that the situation is perfect for them to engage in sexual activities together.
So baby girl just ride my wave
The singer is suggesting that his lover should follow his lead and enjoy the moment.
Until the next day
The singer is suggesting that they should enjoy their time together until morning comes.
Can't you feel me babe, oh baby
The singer is asking his lover if she can feel the emotions and sensations he is experiencing.
My secret lover
The singer is emphasizing the secretive nature of their affair.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MYRON LAVELL AVANT, STEPHEN EDWARD HUFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colleen Shea
This man is deep. You know he has passion in his heart. His brother plays a mean guitar 🎸. Brothers with a bond.🦋
enlightened child
That guitar solo by Ernie Isley....... priceless! You better enjoy these legends (both he and his brother) while you can. There will never be music (REAL instrumental and vocal music) like this again!
Krissy O
Priceless is right...soooo much soul
Zuleika Rohena
what
Tyrone Bobbitt
preach!!!!
Harry Green
Always.....
JUST COMMENTING
Ernie was the best . Period.
Tsnleet
This man has a voice like no other. Amazing Ronald Isley!!!
R R
Isley Brothers are legends! Great and timeless music!
Kima Hector
It's amazing how his music has a grown and changed through out the years. It can appeal with the old and young generations.