That Lady (song)

"That Lady" is a 1973 R&B and soul hit song for The Isley Brothers, released on their T-Neck imprint. The song, one of the group's most well known, was originally performed by the group nearly a decade before in 1964 (released as "Who's That Lady?") inspired by The Impressions. After signing with Epic Records in 1973, the eldest members of the group (O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley) had included younger members, guitarist Ernie Isley, bassist Marvin Isley and keyboardist/pianist Chris Jasper, as official members. In a response to this transformation, the group gave themselves the moniker of 3 + 3, describing the three original vocalists in the group and three recruited instrumentalists, inspiring the aptly titled album that came out that year. They performed the song on Soul Train on December 14, 1974.^[1]

The group entered the studio to remake "Who's That Lady?" after being inspired by rock acts such as Carlos Santana (who himself covered it on his 1990 album Spirits Dancing in the Flesh) bringing in a Latin percussive rock feel to it including congas and an organ solo by assorted other musicians while the other Isleys played various instrumentation. The two youngest Isley brothers and in-law Jasper re-wrote the instrumental while the older brothers revamped their harmonies, with Ronald showcasing a much smoother vocal than the original version. Brother Ernie Isley's Jimi Hendrix/Santana-inspired guitar solo was one of the major highlights of the song and one of the key elements of what defined the 3 + 3 era of the Isleys. The song became their first Top 10 pop single since 1969's "It's Your Thing" peaked at number two on the pop singles chart, reaching number six on the pop chart while also reaching number two on the US R&B Singles chart. It was also another cross-Atlantic hit for the group, reaching number fourteen in the UK.

The song is ranked #357 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Uses in popular culture

The guitar solo at the beginning of the song was used by the Beastie Boys on Paul's Boutique, released in 1989. The sample (which is a loop throughout) can be heard on the "A Year and a Day" track of the "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" ending compilation.

The song is heard in a 1998 TV commercial for Salon Selectives and a 2010 TV commercial for Swiffer, and in a 2013 ad for Swiffer.

"That Lady" is also heard in the crime-drama film Blood In Blood Out (1993), comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) and Episode 104 "Jack the Writer" of 30 Rock.

It is currently used in Swiffer's commercial since 2010, where a mop, broom, or a featherduster finds another object, and makes out in the end of the commercials.

The song is used as the base for Kendrick Lamar's 2014 single "i."

Personnel

• Ronald Isley: lead vocals
• Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley and O'Kelly Isley, Jr.: background vocals
• Ernie Isley: guitar and percussion
• Marvin Isley: bass and percussion
• Chris Jasper: piano, keyboards
• George Moreland: drums, percussion
• Truman Thomas: organ

Cover versions

In 2001, instrumentalist Peter White scored radio airplay with his cover from the album Glow.^[2][3]

References

External links