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)
The Pride Pts. 1 & 2
The Isley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People need what you know
You're a leader so you have to play along
Show the hand right or wrong
When you're feelin' that you know the way to turn
Either way still get burned
It's the pride that makes you feel that you belong
It's the pride that keeps you strong
Don't you think it's fascinating?
Don't you think it's fascinating?
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
What makes you want to do the best you can?
What makes you a better man?
What makes you try again before too long?
What keeps you standing strong?
What makes you say the things you want to say
To make it a better day?
It's the pride that makes you feel that you belong
It's the pride that keeps you strong
Don't you think it's fascinating?
Don't you think it's fascinating?
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
The Isley Brothers' song "Pride Pts. 1 & 2" explores the concept of pride and its impact on a person's actions and decisions. The opening lines suggest that people in positions of power, such as politicians, often hold the knowledge that others need but must be strategic in how they wield it. They must be mindful of the consequences that come with any action and decision they make. The second verse asks a series of questions about what motivates people to do their best, to keep trying, and to speak up for what they believe in. The chorus then repeats the phrase "it's the pride that you feel" over and over, emphasizing the importance of feeling a sense of belonging and inner strength.
By repeating the phrase "when you finally break it all down it's the pride," the song seems to be saying that when you strip away all the superficial reasons for why someone does something – money, power, fame – the underlying motivator is often pride. Pride in oneself, pride in one's community, pride in one's beliefs. The song suggests that while pride can be a powerful motivator, it can also lead to a downfall if not used wisely. It's all about finding the balance between feeling proud and being humble enough to recognize when to step back and make a different decision.
Line by Line Meaning
Politician come to power take it slow
When someone comes into a position of power, they need to proceed with caution.
People need what you know
The people rely on leaders to use their knowledge for the betterment of society.
You're a leader so you have to play along
Leaders have to maintain a certain level of conformity within their role.
Show the hand right or wrong
Leaders must make decisions regardless of their morality.
When you're feelin' that you know the way to turn
When a leader is confident in their decision-making abilities.
Either way still get burned
No matter the decision, a leader will inevitably face consequences.
It's the pride that makes you feel that you belong
Pride gives leaders a sense of belonging and importance.
It's the pride that keeps you strong
Pride keeps leaders motivated and confident in their decisions.
What makes you want to do the best you can?
Leaders are driven by a desire to do their best.
What makes you a better man?
Being a good leader makes one a better person overall.
What makes you try again before too long?
Leaders must persist and try again after setbacks.
What keeps you standing strong?
Pride and conviction keep leaders from faltering.
What makes you say the things you want to say
Leaders speak up to advocate for what they believe in.
To make it a better day?
Leaders work to create positive change in society and improve people's lives.
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
Pride is a powerful motivator and sense of belonging.
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
Even when analyzed deeply, pride remains a significant force in leadership.
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
cesarfsaenz
Politician come to power take it slow
People need what you know
You're a leader so you have to play along
Show the hand right or wrong
When you're feelin' that you know the way to turn
Either way still get burned
It's the pride that makes you feel that you belong
It's the pride that keeps you strong
Don't you think it's fascinating?
Don't you think it's fascinating?
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
What makes you want to do the best you can?
What makes you a better man?
What makes you try again before too long?
What keeps you standing strong?
What makes you say the things you want to say
To make it a better day?
It's the pride that makes you feel that you belong
It's the pride that keeps you strong
Don't you think it's fascinating?
Don't you think it's fascinating?
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
Jeffrey Chandler
A very powerful and serious song, please don't forget the words. The Isley's can fill empty minds with wisdom, and deep understanding of our society. Think about it!
Jacqueline Joy
Let me rephrase this is one of the best songs ever by The Isley Brothers The Isley Brothers Are Awesome
1stP3&10
Boy. Every time I hear bass from the 70s, I get a rush of happy. Smile suddenly on my face. lol
Sheldon Ingram
1977
Faustina Taylor
1969
Kirk Dilworth
In the pocket baby, I love it it's the pride
Daniel Dow
One my favorite cuts all time still jamming this in 2022 !! 😎
Tracy Sullivan
This joint has my adrenaline pumpin’ to fullest speed!!! 🎶🎼🎧
cesarfsaenz
Politician come to power take it slow
People need what you know
You're a leader so you have to play along
Show the hand right or wrong
When you're feelin' that you know the way to turn
Either way still get burned
It's the pride that makes you feel that you belong
It's the pride that keeps you strong
Don't you think it's fascinating?
Don't you think it's fascinating?
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
What makes you want to do the best you can?
What makes you a better man?
What makes you try again before too long?
What keeps you standing strong?
What makes you say the things you want to say
To make it a better day?
It's the pride that makes you feel that you belong
It's the pride that keeps you strong
Don't you think it's fascinating?
Don't you think it's fascinating?
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
It's the pride that you feel it's the pride
(When you finally break it all down it's the pride)
Satch Flight
relevant today.