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. Many music critics have cited the guitar solo by Ernie Isley as one of the best ever. There are many others on this countdown, including, see best songs 3-12-198-458 and 829, plus many more.

The Isley Brothers (see also best songs 823-681-508 and 176) who were then comprised of Rudolph, (1939-2023) Ronald, and O’Kelly Isley Jr. (1937-1986) first wrote and recorded ‘Who’s That Lady’ in 1964 as a stand alone single, with the production being by Bert Berns (1929-1967) (see also best songs 762.) The original recording was done in a ‘Cha-Cha/Bossa Nova’ style, and inspired by the American ‘R&B’ group ‘The Impressions’ (see also best songs 195.) In 1973 the Isley Brothers officially expanded to six members 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. The Isley Brothers decided to re-record ‘Who’s That Lady’ which had failed to chart in 1964, by giving it a radical overhaul, with Ernie Isley adding a guitar solo, transforming the song from it’s ‘R&B’ roots, into a ‘Funk/Rock’ song. Ernie Isley has said that he didn’t want to re-record it because he felt that it already had been done, but his brother Ronald convinced him it would be worthwhile, as they were going to change the melody, tempo, and lyrics, and that it would showcase the guitar work of Ernie. This new version of the song would be called ‘That Lady,’ as opposed to the 1964 version called ‘Who’s That Lady.’

‘That Lady, (Part 1’) was the first of three singles released from the Isley Brothers 11th studio Album ‘3 + 3,’ from August 1973, the songs writing is credited to all six group members at that time, with the production being by Ronald, and Rudolph Isley. The Album which takes it title from the fact that the three original members were now officially joined by three new members, was ranked at 464 on the American ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine’s ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time’ list in 2020. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘That Lady, (Part 1’) reached Number 6, and made Number 2 on the Billboard Black Singles Chart.

Ernie Isley was born Ernest Isley on March 7th, 1952, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, he was three years old when his older brothers formed, first as a Gospel group, then as a secular singing group. Whilst at high school in 1963 the then unknown Jimi Hendrix, (1942-1970) (see also best songs 983 and 492) then known as Jimmy Hendrix came to live with the family, and stayed until 1965. Jimi Hendrix would become a great influence on Ernie’s future musical career as a guitarist. With his brother Marvin, and his brother-in-law Chris Jasper he became an official member of the Isley Brothers in 1973. He would remain a member until leaving in 1984 to form the group ‘Isley-Jasper-Isley,’ with Marvin, and Chris Jasper. With the Isley Brothers he was inducted into the ‘Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame’ in 1992, and in 2014 the Isley Brothers received the ‘Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.’ In 2020, Ernie was inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame,’ as a member of the Isley Brothers, and at the time of writing both he and his brother Ronald continue to tour domestically and internationally.

Ronald Isley was born on May 21st, 1941, in Cincinnati, United States, he is the one constant member of the Isley Brothers since their formation in 1954. Like many of his siblings he began his career in the church, and was singing from the age of two. By the age of seven he was singing on stage at venues such as the ‘Regal Theatre’ in Chicago, alongside artists as notable as Dinah Washington (1924-1963) (see also best songs 315.) Tragedy struck when his younger brother Vernon, (1943-1954) at the age of 11, was struck and killed by a car while riding his bicycle. In 2006 Ronald was convicted of tax evasion charges, owing over $3.1 million in back taxes, he was sentenced to three years and one month in prison, which he completed in a federal half-way house in 2010. In 2016, he became an ‘Honorary doctorate of music,’ awarded by the ‘Berklee College of Music,’ in Boston, Massachusetts. United States.

Ernie Isley has spoken about his critically acclaimed guitar solo on ‘That Lady,’ ‘It was a magical moment when it happened. When I finished the solo to ‘That Lady,’ 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.’