‘This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)’ is a Holland–Dozier–Holland song that was a hit for American musical group the Isley Brothers in January 1966 during their brief tenure on Motown's Tamla label. Featuring Ronald Isley on lead vocal, ‘This Old Heart of Mine’ peaked at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100, and at number six on the Billboard R&B Singles chart. In the UK, the song originally reached number 47 in April 1966, but it re-charted in late 1968 and reached number three for two weeks in November, making it the group's highest charting UK single.
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.
Written by Motown's main songwriting team Holland–Dozier–Holland alongside Sylvia Moy, ‘This Old Heart of Mine’, produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier, was originally intended for The Supremes (who later recorded their own version for their 1966 album The Supremes A' Go-Go). 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."
The single was the group's only major hit while on Motown, whom they left in 1969 to restart their own T-Neck label. Tammi Terrell originally recorded the song in a different arrangement, but it was not released until her Irresistible album released in January 1969. The song was prominently featured in an episode of the hit 1980s show Moonlighting and was one of the tunes included on the show's hit soundtrack. 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.
Label – Tamla
Songwriters – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, Sylvia Moy
Producers – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]Ooh, this old heart of mine been broke a thousand times
Each time you break away, I fear you've gone to stay
Lonely nights that come, memories that flow
Bringing you back again, hurting me more and more
[Pre-Chorus]
Maybe it's my mistake to show this love I feel inside
'Cause each day that passes by
You got me never knowing if I'm coming or going
[Chorus]
But I, I love you
This old heart, darling, is weak for you
I love you, yes, I do
(Yes, I do, yes, I do)
[Verse 2]
These old arms of mine miss having you around
Makes these tears inside start pouring down
[Pre-Chorus]
Always with half a kiss, you remind me of what I miss
Though I try to control myself
Like a fool I start grinnin'
'Cause my head starts spinnin'
[Chorus]
'Cause I, I love you
This old heart, darling, is weak for you
I love you, yes I do, yes I do
[Verse 3]
Ooh, I try hard to hide my hurt inside
This old heart of mine always keeps me cryin'
The way you treat me leaves me incomplete
You're here for the day, gone for the week now
[Pre-Chorus]
But if you leave me a hundred times
A hundred times I'll take you back
I'm yours whenever you want me
I'm not too proud to shout it
Tell the world about it
[Outro]
'Cause I, I love you
This old heart, darling, is weak for you
I love you
This old heart, darling, is weak for you (Darling, I'm)
I love you (Weak for you)
This old heart (Darling, I'm), darling, is weak for you (Mad about you)
(Darling, I'm) I love you (Weak for you)
Yes, I do (Darling, I'm), yes, I do (Mad about you)
(Darling, I'm) I love you (Weak for you)
Yes, I do (Darling, I'm), darling (Mad about you)