The Highways of My Life
"The Highways of My Life" is a pop rock-styled ballad written, produced and recorded by American rock band The Isley Brothers, recorded and released in early 1974 as a single off the group's landmark record, 3 + 3.
| "The Highways of My Life" | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Isley Brothers | |
| from the album 3 + 3 | |
| Released | 1974 |
| Recorded | 1973, The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California |
| Genre | Soul, pop rock |
| Length | 4:20 |
| Label | T-Neck |
| Songwriter(s) | O'Kelly Isley, Jr. Rudolph Isley Ronald Isley Ernie Isley Marvin Isley Chris Jasper |
| Producer(s) | The Isley Brothers |
About the song
The song is about a person wanting to search through the journey of his livelihood while being sure not to go "to the other side of the road". The song is notable for its intro arranged by Chris Jasper, who plays the piano in the intro of the song for a few minutes before the music kicks in. Lead singer Ron Isley sings in his trademark countertenor vocals while he and his vocalizing older brothers Kelly and Rudy Isley helped him in the backgrounds while being accompanied by Jasper, who also plays a synthesizer solo, and younger brothers Ernie, on both acoustic guitar and drums and Marvin on bass guitar.
The song was released as the b-side to the Isleys' modest hit, "What It Comes Down To", though the song attracted UK fans of the group enough to play it. The song eventually charted at number twenty-five in the UK in 1974. The song's intro was later sampled by Fantasia for her hit, "Truth Is".
Credits
- Ronald Isley: lead and background vocals
- Rudolph Isley and O'Kelly Isley, Jr.: background vocals
- Chris Jasper: keyboards, piano and synthesizers
- Ernie Isley: acoustic guitar and drums
- Marvin Isley: bass guitar