The Isley Brothers, Love the One You’re With | Throwback Vibez

In the 61^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we reflect on “Love the One You’re With” by the iconic soul collective The Isley Brothers.

Can you feel those vibes, those surefire Throwback Vibez?! Throwback Vibez is a recurring column devoted to celebrating incredible songs from the past. There is truly nothing like a classic oldie to get you energized and in a great mood! The selections featured in this column highlight musical gems from the 20^th century, though there are occasional exceptions. All genres of music are welcome, ensuring something for every musical taste. In the 61^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we reflect on “Love the One You’re With” performed by The Isley Brothers.

You know, that’s sound advice, Stephen Stills (b. 1945). The singer-songwriter earned the biggest hit of his career with “Love the One You’re With”.  Reaching number 14 on the pop charts is not too shabby in the least. The Stills rendition was enough to enshrine the song in music history.  However, legendary soul collective The Isley Brothers recorded their own unique version that deserves plenty of flowers.  “Love the One You’re With” is the seventh track on their 1971 covers album, Givin’ It Back. Like Stills, they experienced ample success with their soulful cover, which peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.   

“Love the One You’re With”, in the hands of The Isley Brothers, maintains its folksy nature, thanks to the use of acoustic guitar.  That rhythmic strumming gives the track a delightful edge.  The groove is relentless, in the best way possible. But it’s much more than folk rock. The Isley Brothers are a soul group (a versatile one), so it should come as no surprise that they also infuse ample soul and gospel vibes. The warm organ is one key source that gospelizes the masterpiece (Stills’ original also uses organ), not to mention Ronald Isley’s vocals, which ooze with soul and spirit throughout three magical verses. “Don’t be angry, don’t be sad / Don’t sit crying, talking ‘bout the good times you’ve had,” he sings in the second verse, and adds, “Well, there’s a girl sitting right next to you /And she’s just waiting for something to do.” Beyond his grittier, more overt moments, Ron gives us that ripe falsetto that no one else can nail quite like him.  The centerpiece should come as no surprise: the chorus.  Excerpted earlier, it goes a little something like this in its entirety:  

“Well, there’s a rose in a fisted glove

And the eagle flies with the dove

And if you can’t be with the one you love, honey

Love the one you’re with

You got to love the one you’re with

You got to love the one you’re with.” 

Of course, the bridge/outro can’t be left out.  Those “doo(s)” are crucial to the success of “Love the One You’re With”.  A cover that could’ve been an original by The Isley Brothers, the iconic group does their big one, NO CAP!

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The Isley Brothers » Givin’ It Back » Sony Music Entertainment » 1971

The Isley Brothers, Love the One You’re With: Throwback Vibez No. 61 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson, schubinger from Pixabay]

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