That Lady by The Isley Brothers

Album: 3 + 3 (1973)

Charted: 14 6

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Songfacts®:

In an interview with Ernie Isley on The Isley Brothers: Summer Breeze Greatest Hits Live DVD, he says that this song was originally done as a Cha-Cha/Bossa Nova in 1964 titled "Who's That Lady." Ernie originally did not want to re-record it because he felt that it already had been done. Ronald Isley 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 younger brother Ernie, who had become an excellent player. The 1964 recording, which features a horn section, was renamed "That Lady" and is featured on the album 3+3. This version is the more widely-known recording of the song. >>
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Rudy - Bakersfield, CA
Ernie Isley learned a lot about the guitar from Jimi Hendrix, who played with The Isleys in 1964. His work on this song is studied and revered by guitar aficionados in much the same way Hendrix is deconstructed. According to Ernie, it was a magical moment when it happened. He said: "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."
This crossed over to become a hit on both rock and R&B radio. In the early '70s, The Isley Brothers were one of the most popular acts in America with widespread appeal.
The younger Isley brothers, Ernie and Marvin, were going to college at CW Post in Long Island when this hit. They became quite popular on campus.
The song was used during the 2004 comedy The Legend of Ron Burgundy. It features as the intro music for the arrival Christina Applegate's Veronica Corningstone character at Channel 4 News.
The guitar solo at the beginning of the song was sampled by the Beastie Boys for "A Year and a Day," which was part of their Paul's Boutique-closing deluxe medley "B-Boy Bouillabaisse."

This was sampled by Kendrick Lamar for his 2014 single "I." Lamar turned up at Ronald Isley's house to personally ask permission to borrow from the song.

Comments: 7

Joyce from PaWithout a doubt, 1 of the best since 1973...ever retaining sheer unique guitar, vocals set. Will never age, and will be played at my funeral for sure. My all time favorite for 45 yrs.
Joyce from PaOne of the greatest guitar pieces and songs ever!
Markantney from Biloxi, MsTo Piggyback everyone else's "Guitar" Theme, Ernie's playing is so great you almost forget how great the vocals, percussions, and arrangement of the song are.

I remember as a Kid reading the "Jet" Magazine's Top 20 Records every week waiting-hoping for it to make it to #1.

I love Marvin Gaye and own most of his catalog but "Let's Get It On" is about the only hit of his I don't like as much as everyone else. Maybe I was too young at the time to appreciate it and it kept my "Who's That Lady" from it's rightful place at the top of the Charts:):):)
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 8th 1973, "That Lady - Part One" by the Isley Brothers entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #89; and on September 30th, 1973 it peaked at #6 (for 3 weeks) and spent 20 weeks on the Top 100...
It reached #2 (for 2 weeks) on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart...
The 2 weeks it was at #2 on the Hot R&B Singles chart, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye...
Between 1959 and 2003 the brothers had forty-two Top 100 records, with four making the Top 10; and their biggest hit was "It's Your Thing", it peaked at #2 (for 1 week) on April 27th, 1969...
The week "It's Your Thing" was at #2 on the Top 100, the #1 record was "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" by the 5th Dimension.
James from Gettysburg, PaThe funkiest song I had ever heard in my life. I had heard it before in a movie, but one day I was shopping in a dollar store with my daughter. "That Lady" played over the store's music system and for the life of me, I had never heard anything so cool in my life. The waa-waa guitar just seemed to go on forever, which was just fine with me.
Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScNo wonder the guitar solos sound remoniscent of Jimi Hencricks. That's one of the things I thought when I first heaard this.
Scott from Chicago, Ilone of the greatest guitar solos to reach the top 40 in single form........so fuzzed out,
funky, just plain wicked....

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