This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak for You) by The Isley Brothers

Album: Best Of The Isley Brothers (1966)

Charted: 3 12

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The Isley Brothers became one of the most successful acts of the '70s, and also one of the most independent - they wrote, produced and released their own music throughout the decade. But in 1966, they were signed to Motown Records, who teamed them with the songwriting/production team of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland (Holland-Dozier-Holland), who put together this heartbreak song for the group.

Released as their first Motown single, it was a hit, but their last Top 40 with the label, who reassigned Holland-Dozier-Holland to other artists. In 1968, The Isley Brothers left Motown to record on their own label, T-Neck Records. Their first T-Neck release was the group's biggest hit: "It's Your Thing."
This is one of those Motown songs with an upbeat tune but heartwrenching lyrics about a guy who is devastated by the loss of his girl. The poor dude just can't move on, and like the singer in "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," he's abandoned his pride: "If you leave me a hundred times, a hundred times I'll take you back. I'm yours whenever you want me."

Lamont Dozier said it was inspired by girl he just couldn't give up. "The more I tried the deeper I fell," he said. "I made excuses for her and all the wrong she had done to me. She was a necessary evil that I just couldn't overcome."
Rod Stewart, a huge fan of both Motown and The Isley Brothers, recorded his own version in 1975 and released it as a single. His rendition was a big hit in the UK, climbing to #4, but it only went to #83 in America. He did a lot better stateside when he recorded the song as a duet with Ronald Isley in 1989. This version made #10 in the US.
In the UK, this song originally charted at #47, but it reached #3 when it was re-released to coincide with a promotional tour of Britain from The Isley Brothers.
Motown singer Tammi Terrell made #67 with her 1969 cover version of this song.

Comments: 15

Juniorhigh Dance Jitters from West Palm BeachThis sounds a lot like The Four Tops” I’ll Be There”. But both are Holland-Dozier-Holland plus others. So it’s not plagiarizing if you copy from yourself?
Jennifur Sun from RamonaJesse love the sax part too. Sadly when they did the documentary about the Funk Brothers they left out the guys and one lady from the band part.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 13th 1966, "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" by the Isley Brothers entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #99; nine weeks later on April 17th it would peak at #12 {for 1 week} and it also spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...
It reached #3* (for 2 weeks} on the United Kingdom's Singles chart and #6 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
* The two weeks it was at #3, the #1 record was "The Good The Bad and The Ugly" by Hugo Montenegro and at #2 was "Eloise" by Barry Ryan.
Mark from Tampa FloridaThe song This Old Heart Of Mine is one of the best songs ever written in Motown by Ronald Isley. Also the version by Rod Stewart is awesome too. I love both versions by both musicians. Other people who want to slam the other is just little Jealous kids who wishes they was the one who had it all in life like the wealth does. Rod Stewart you are by far the GREATEST song writer and singer of the music you write. I love your music its very romantic and women love it.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 4th, 1976, "This Old Heart of Mine" by Rod Stewart entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart for a four week stay, peaking at #83...
Fourteen years later on March 18th, 1990 he re-recorded it in a duet with Ronald Isley; and on May 20th, 1990 their version peaked at #10 on the Top 100...
And on April 15th, 1990 it reached #1 (for 5 weeks) on the Billboard's Adult contemporary Tracks chart...

On February 13th, 1966 the Isley Brothers' original version, with Ronald Isley singing lead, entered the Top 100; and on April 17th, 1966 it peaked at #12 (for 1 week) and also spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...

In 1969 the Isley's fellow Motown label mate Tammi Terrell covered it; her version reached #67 and stayed on the Top 100 for four weeks.
Andrew from London, England2nd verse should read: "Always with half a kiss to remind me of what I miss! Though I try to control myself like a fool I start bleating cos my heart starts beating!"
Marcus from Houston, TxI discovered this song during my college freshmen year in the spring of 1987. About 21 years after it was released. It was featured on the hit tv show "Moonlighting". The song became one of my favorites at that time.It still is. It reminds me of a female I had a crush on at that time. Still gets to me whenever I hear it. Rod Stewart totaly f..ked it with his version of the song. I like the original version better Always will.
John from Cincinnati, OhHolland, Dozier & Holland should have sued themselves, because the bridge to "This Old Heart Of Mine" is virtually identical to their "Back In My Arms Again".
John from Nashville, TnMotown staff writer Sylvia Moy co-wrote this song with Holland/Dozier/Holland. It was one of the rare times that the team co-wrote with an additional writer.
John from Nashville, TnCurtis Mayfield wrote a song called "Can't Satisfy" that was a top-20 r&b hit for the Impressions in 1966. Motown sued because the melody was very similar to this song. Mayfield ended up sharing songwriting credit for this song with Holland/Dozier/Holland/Moy.
Alan from Kirkby Thore, EnglandThe Isleys' follow-up UK hit was "I Guess I'll Always Love You" - another Holland, Dozier, Holland composition.
Matthew from East Brunswick, NjVery romantic song. Used on American Idol's Hollywood auditions.
Brad from Cleveland, OhWas covered by The Supremes in 1966 on their "Supremes A Go Go" album.
Jesse from Toronto, CanadaI love this! The sax (I think) solo is so thick sounding...I love it. Anyone know which albums/songs feature Hendrix?
Johnny from Bridgeport, OhThis is one cool song.It rocks.Maybe my favorite.I like this line.''If you leave me 100 times,100 times I'll take you back.

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