The Isley Brothers, It’s Your Thing | Throwback Vibez

In the 25^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “It’s Your Thing” by The Isley Brothers.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 25^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “It’s Your Thing” performed by The Isley Brothers.

“It’s your thing, do what you wanna do / I can’t tell you who to sock it to.” Woo! The Isley Brothers are among the greatest R&B groups ever – #ICONIC.  Their most successful song comes from the 1960s: “It’s Your Thing”. “It’s Your thing” is the sixth track from their 1969 album, It’s Our Thing – see what they did there? “It’s Your Thing” was written by the late O’Kelly Isley (1937 – 1986), the late Rudolph Isley (1939 – 2023), and the spirited lead singer extraordinaire, Ronald Isley (1941 – ).  “It’s Your Thing” gave the legendary R&B collective its highest charting pop hit.  It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was certified gold by the RIAA in 1969. Perhaps the biggest achievement of the song is winning the Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo Or Group at the 12^th Annual GRAMMY Awards. “It’s Your Thing” was a thing – a big ole thang!

The chorus, excerpted above, is the section to beat on “It’s Your Thing.” It arrives after a super, funky groove is established at the onset. Ronald Isley shows off incredible musicianship on lead vocals. He showcases grit, a ripe falsetto, great abilities, and ample personality. “If you want me to love you, maybe I will / Believe me woman, it ain’t no big deal,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “You need love now, just as bad as I do / Makes me no difference now, who you give your thing to.” Ooh-wee! Ron gets strong support from the background singers of The Isley Brothers. The lyrics are F-U-N. The music is scintillating – marvelous accompaniment and production. The rhythm section is tight, particularly Ernie Isley (1952 – ) on bass, while the articulated horns further accentuate the greatness.  “It’s Your Thing” is one of the funkiest, most fun songs you’ll ever hear, PERIOD! Timeless!

The Isley Brothers // It’s Our Thing // Sony Music Entertainment // 1969

The Isley Brothers, It’s Your Thing: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 25 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]