THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

382-Isley Brothers-That Lady- Parts 1 & 2.

1973-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 2.20. The Isley Brothers (see also best songs 823-681-508 and 176) are the only act to have achieved a hit single on the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in six separate decades from the 1950’s through to the 2000’s, hitting the top 50 at least once on each occasion.

The original version of ‘That Lady’ was written by Rudolph, Ronald, and O’Kelly Isley Jr. (1937-1986) and first released on United Artists records in 1964. The song was very different to this remake, recorded in a classic R&B contemporary style of the day, which had been inspired by the American group ‘The Impressions.’

In 1973 the Isley Brothers officially expanded to six with the inclusion of Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley (1953-2010) and their brother-in-law Chris Jasper, although all three had already worked on some of the groups previous Albums. This led to the title given to the 11th Isley Brothers studio Album, ‘3 + 3,’ from where the remake of ‘That Lady’ was taken.Back in 1964 a pre fame Jimi Hendrix (see also best songs 983 and 492) had supported the Isley Brothers on tour, and was a long lasting influence on a young Ernie Isley (born 1951.) In 1973 the Isley Brothers decided to re-record ‘That Lady,’ rearranging the song into a Funk Rock record, with major input from Chris Jasper, and a guitar solo from Ernie Isley, which is critically acclaimed as one of the best of all time. Ernie has said,’It was a magical moment when it happened. When I finished the solo to ‘That Lady,’ O’Kelly looked at me for 15 minutes straight without blinking. I felt like I had one foot on the ground, one on Mount Olympus. I went from a black and white world to Technicolor.’

‘Hear me calling out to you, ’cause that’s all that I can do. Your eyes tell me to pursue, but you say ‘Look yeah, but don’t touch baby.’