Live It Up (The Isley Brothers song)

"Live It Up, Pt. 1 & 2" is a funk/rock song released by The Isley Brothers, on their album of the same name in 1974 on their T-Neck imprint. The song attacked conformity and advocated control, and it was much like some of the group's "Do What You Wanna Do" records of the time.

Overview

This song's free-love message helped it become an R&B smash upon its release. It peaked at number four on the R&B singles chart and reached number fifty-two on the pop chart. Ronald's gritty vocals are helped by his brothers' rambunctious and testosterone-driven background vocals. The song also features a screaming guitar solo from Ernie, and Chris closes it with a clavinet solo.

Part one is the vocal version, featuring lead singer Ronald and his accompanying backup singing brothers Rudolph and O'Kelly. Part two is the instrumental version.

This song was included on the album Live It Up, which was a popular recording upon its release in 1974. Like many of the songs on the album, the title song was one of the most overlooked hit recordings by the brothers.

Personnel

• Ronald Isley: lead and background vocals (b. May 21, 1941)
• O'Kelly Isley, Jr. (December 25, 1937, Cincinnati, Ohio – March 31, 1986, Alpine, New Jersey) and Rudolph Bernard Isley: background vocals (b. April 1, 1939, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Ernest Isley: guitar, drums, percussion (born, March 7, 1952 Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Marvin Isley: bass, percussion (August 18, 1953, Cincinnati, Ohio – June 6, 2010, Chicago, Illinois)
• Christopher H. Jasper: piano, keyboards, synthesizers, clavinet (b. December 30, 1951, Cincinnati, Ohio)

External links