1957 Blues Ballad Was Released by an Iconic Band Who Hit the Billboard Charts in 6 Different Decades

69 years ago, "Angels Cried" was released by The Isley Brothers. The blues ballad was a breakup song with the lyrics: "Angels cried the day that you left me, my love. Their teardrops fell down from above because we had to part."

The group, which consisted of several brothers, was formed in 1954. They went on to become one of the few bands that have hit the Billboard Hot 100 with brand new music in six different decades.

In the 1950s, they released one of their most popular songs, "Shout." In the 1960s, they released "Twist and Shout" and "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)." In the 1970s, they released "Fight Power." In the 1980s, they released "Between the Sheets." In the 1990s, they released "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" and "Let's Lay Together." Finally, in the 2000s, they released "Contagious."

When speaking about their success with Billboard, Ronald Isley said, "It's very important to work with the new generation. That's what keeps you up with the music and what's going on and what they're feeling, and you're writing about feelings, people, and actual things that are happening. It keeps us young and in the business and know where we are going with the business. We're here to show them the room. Follow the yellow brick road or The Isley Brothers road."

Ernie Isley added, "A lot of artists, especially when you start out, it's doing that first record, and that's the breakthrough - but the trick is, what are you going to do the second time or the third time and so on? Some people run out of gas. But fortunately for us, we've been able to go the next rounds."

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When their newest album was released in 2022, Mitch Glazier, the chairman and CEO of RIAA, said, "The Isley Brothers started making music in 1959 when the Gold & Platinum Awards were launched… They've been making music for 65 years and are still making music. It's not like their latest album is some sort of swan song. Their latest album is an incredible [one], and features Beyoncé on a remake that is remaking R&B. They're just as relevant today as they were with 'Shout' in 1959."

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 7:31 AM.