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)
There
The Isley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet and still you wander if I think of you
You ought to see how the other girls behave when you're not round
And only then you would know that it's on your finger I'm wound
If you were there you'd know
If you were there you'd know
If you were there you'd know
That I care
There's no need for you not to have faith in me no
'Cause it's by your side girl that I long to be
Yes there are times with my friends when I don't have much to say
What you don't know is with you I can never act that way
If you were there you'd know
If you were there you'd know
If you were there you'd know
If you were there you'd know
That I care
I care for you baby
I swear that I care
I care
There's no need for you not to have faith in me
Have faith in me
I care for you baby
The Isley Brothers' song "If You Were There" is a soulful ballad that speaks to the experience of being misunderstood in a relationship. The singer tells his lover that she is the one who makes his day a dream come true and continues to express his appreciation for her throughout the song. Yet, still, she wonders whether he thinks of her when they are apart. He then paints a picture of the behavior of other women when he is not around, suggesting that they may be trying to get his attention. However, the singer reassures his beloved that it is she who he wants, and that if she were there, she would know how much he cares for her.
The song highlights the struggle that can occur when one person in a relationship feels insecure or uncertain about the other's feelings. It speaks to the need for open communication and reassurance in a romantic partnership. Moreover, the song shows that it is essential to value what we have and not let other people's actions or opinions detract from that.
Line by Line Meaning
You're the one that makes my day a dream come true
You are the person who fills my everyday life with happiness, just like a dream come true.
Yet and still you wander if I think of you
Despite everything, you still doubt that I have feelings for you.
You ought to see how the other girls behave when you're not round
You should observe the way other girls act when you are not present.
And only then you would know that it's on your finger I'm wound
Only then would you come to realize that I have become captivated by you.
If you were there you'd know
If you were present, you would understand.
That I care
I have deep feelings for you.
There's no need for you not to have faith in me no
You have no reason to not trust me.
'Cause it's by your side girl that I long to be
I yearn to be by your side.
Yes there are times with my friends when I don't have much to say
Sometimes, when I'm with my friends, I may not speak much.
What you don't know is with you I can never act that way
However, I can never behave the same way with you that I do with my friends.
I care for you baby
I have a deep affection for you, my love.
I swear that I care
I truly promise that I have strong feelings for you.
Have faith in me
Trust me, believe in me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER JASPER, 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