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)
Work To Do
The Isley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've gotta make it for you and gotta make it for me
Sometimes it seems girl I'm neglecting you
Well I'd love to spend more time
I got so many things to do
Oh, I, I got work to do
I got work baby
I got work to do
Said I got work to do
Oh, I'm out here trying to make it
Woman can't you see
It takes a lot of money to make it
Let's talk truthfully
So keep your love light burnin'
Oh, you've gotta have a little faith
You might as well get used to me
Coming home a little late
Oh, I, I got work to do
I got a job baby
I got work to do
I got work to do
I'm taking care of business woman can't you see
I gotta make it for you, I gotta make it for me
Don't wanna make you feel I'm neglecting you
I'd love to spend more time, oh
But I got so many things to do
Oh, I, I got work to do
I got work baby
I got a job baby
I got work to do, everybody's got work to do
Oh so much work baby, I got work
The Isley Brothers’ song “Work To Do” is a classic example of the sacrifices one has to make to provide for their loved ones. The first verse talks about the singer being pre-occupied with work, and his partner feeling ignored. Despite this conflict and his desire to spend more time with his partner, the singer continues to prioritize work in order to provide a good life for both of them. The chorus reveals that there is a job that he must work, and he acknowledges the fact that he is not the only one working, for both of them have work to do. He then assures his partner that he is committed to their relationship, though he may come home late.
The second verse echoes the sentiments of the first one--the singer has to work hard to make ends meet. It’s a declaration that they can’t ignore the challenges of financial instability, and he needs his partner’s support to keep his motivation up. It’s a plea to her to keep believing in him, for he needs her faith to keep going. The chorus is repeated to underscore the message that both of them are working together to build a better life.
In summary, the song is about love, commitment, and perseverance amidst financial challenges. It acknowledges the importance of hard work and its contribution towards family. It highlights the need to be supportive of one’s partner while they work towards better opportunities and decisions together.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm taking care of business, woman can't you see
I am responsible for achieving success in my life, my partner should understand that.
I've gotta make it for you and gotta make it for me
I have to work hard to support both of us financially and succeed in life.
Sometimes it seems girl I'm neglecting you
At times, it may appear like I'm ignoring or abandoning you due to work pressures.
Well I'd love to spend more time
I would like to have more quality time with you.
I got so many things to do
I have a lot of work and responsibilities to handle.
Oh, I, I got work to do
I have a lot of work to complete, no time for relaxation.
I got a job baby
I have a career that demands my focus and dedication.
Said I got work to do
I repeat that I have a multitude of work to accomplish daily.
Oh, I'm out here trying to make it
I am working hard to achieve success and make a name for myself.
Woman can't you see
I require your support and cooperation as I work towards our shared future.
It takes a lot of money to make it
To achieve financial stability in life, one has to put in a lot of hard work.
Let's talk truthfully
Let's be honest with each other about the realities of our lives and expectations.
So keep your love light burnin'
Continue to show affection and love, despite the challenges of my workload.
Oh, you've gotta have a little faith
You must have confidence and trust in me to handle work and simultaneously maintain our relationship.
You might as well get used to me
I am determined to succeed in my profession, and my work schedule will become a regular part of our lives.
Coming home a little late
Due to work pressures, I may arrive home later than usual, but it does not reflect my commitment to our relationship.
I got work to do, everybody's got work to do
Everyone has responsibilities, workloads, and commitments that require their attention and effort.
Oh so much work baby, I got work
I have an extensive and challenging workload that requires my wholehearted dedication and commitment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: O'kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gatsby201041
Whose still listening in 2024?
@joelbrown2323
Yes sir
@jackbutler1038
A challenge brought me here, I said Isley Bros, my clown co-worker said Ohio Players
@maryanng6841
Grown Folks' Music! Never gets old!
@sierradelta07
Year in year out this never gets old. Unlike me.
@chadoliver909
I had 2 babies and no job in the recession of the early 90s. In Philly. Somehow I hooked on to a teamster job unloading trucks at night. This song came on my radio and a flood of relief and happiness came over me. I’ve never forgotten the song and how I felt that night
@nothankyou5524
Bless you and for making it thru!
@randyduncan4004
AMAZING how music links us to so much of our memories, feelings, time and place thing. And that's because I GOT WORK TO DO !
@Yellow-et1ig
April 8, 2024 today is the eclipse, still here for the Isley’s 🏆🏆🏆
@flpmedia2312
We struggle in silence but it's always worth it when we arrive in our families life ready to work more 🙏🏾 😊