Wilson's solo career begin with 1957's "Reet Petite", written by the then unknown Berry Gordy, Jr. and recorded on the Brunswick Records label with whom Wilson would remain throughout his career. He had his first top 40 hit in 1958 with "To Be Loved". At the end of that year he had his first big success with "Lonely Teardrops" that went to #7 on the charts. The song, also written by Berry Gordy, Jr. became his signature tune. That same year saw Wilson release his first LP titled He's So Fine.
Wilson's brand of pop-soul and R&B helped him cross over to the mainstream, having several pop hits. His dynamic stage performances earned him the nickname "Mr. Excitement". His performance of "Lonely Teardrops" on the Ed Sullivan Show is considered one of its classics. In the 1960s, Wilson continued to record singles, many of them operatic, such as "Danny Boy" or "Night", others were up-tempo and exciting, such as "Baby Workout" in 1963. Although married to Frida Hood since 1951, Wilson was a notorious womanizer and was shot and wounded by one of his alleged lovers, Juanita Jones, on February 15 1961 in a jealous rage as he returned to his apartment with another woman, fashion model Harlean Harris, an ex-girlfriend of singer Sam Cooke. As a married man conducting extra-marital affairs, his management decided, as a way not to damage his career, to concoct a story that Jones was an obsessed fan who threatened to shoot herself, and that Wilson's intervention concluded in him being shot. Astonishingly, the story was accepted, and no charges were brought against Juanita Jones. He was divorced from Frida in 1965, and married Harlean Harris from 1967 until his death in 1984.
His career began to suffer in the mid-60s, though he managed a brief revival by collaborating with Carl Davis, a legendary Chicago producer. This resulted in two hits, "Whispers" and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher". The revival was short-lived, though, and Wilson rarely charted in the 1970s. Wilson suffered a massive heart attack while playing a Dick Clark show at the Latin Casino in New Jersey on September 29, 1975, falling head-first to the stage; he was singing "Lonely Teardrops". A comatose Wilson lived in a hospital until his death in 1984 at age 49. His medical costs were paid for by Dick Clark. In 1985, successful soul/funk band The Commodores, recorded "Nightshift" which was a song in memory of Wilson, as well as soul singer Marvin Gaye, who died in the same year as Wilson.
Van Morrison also recorded a tribute song called "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)" on his 1972 hit album Saint Dominic's Preview. This song was later covered by Dexy's Midnight Runners. When the track was performed on the British TV show Top of the Pops, a picture of Wilson was intended to be used in the background - but an intentional joke by the band and the production staff meant that a picture of darts player Jocky Wilson was used instead. Wilson is mentioned in the rap song "thugs mansion" Tupac and Nas. The exact quote is, "Seen a show with Marvin Gaye last night, it had me shook Drinkinn peppermint Schnapps, with Jackie Wilson, and Sam Cooke".
Wilson scored a posthumous hit when "Reet Petite" reached number one in the United Kingdom in 1986. The following year,he also hit the UK charts again with "I Get The Sweetest Feeling"(No.3), and "Higher and Higher"(No.11). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987; that same year, he was portrayed in the Richie Valens biopic La Bamba by Howard Huntsberry.
Wilson is interred in the Westlawn Cemetery in Wayne, Michigan.
Higher & Higher
Jackie Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it it up
Quench my desire
And I'll be at your side, forever more
You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Listen
Now once, I was down-hearted
Disappointment, was my closest friend
But then you, came and it soon departed
And you know he never
Showed his face again
That's why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Alright
I'm so glad, I've finally found you
Yes that one, in a million girls
And I whip, my loving arms around you, honey
I can stand up, and face the world
Let me tell ya, your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (love keeps lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Now sock it to me
Hold me, you're my woman
Keep my love going
Higher and higher
I said keep on lifting
Lift me up mama
The song "Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson is a classic example of the upbeat and soulful music that emerged during the 1960s. The song is about the power of love and how it can lift a person up to higher levels of happiness and joy. The lyrics speak about the ways in which love can motivate a person and inspire them to be their best selves, and how it can heal any emotional wounds that they may be carrying.
The first verse of the song speaks about the transformative power of love, stating that love can lift a person higher than they have ever been lifted before. The chorus repeats this sentiment over and over, with the words "higher and higher" serving as a mantra for the power of love. The second verse tells a story of a person who was once downhearted and disappointed, but who found love and was able to rise above their troubles. The final verse thanks the person who brought the love into the singer's life, and pledges to remain by their side forever.
Overall, the song has an infectious beat that makes it almost impossible not to tap your toes or dance along. Its message of love and positivity is sure to put a smile on anyone's face and leave them feeling uplifted.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love, lifting me higher
Your love is taking me to new heights
Than I've ever been lifted before
I have never felt this way before
So keep it it up
Please continue to love me in this way
Quench my desire
Satisfy my yearning for your love
And I'll be at your side, forever more
I will always be by your side if you keep loving me
You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
I am aware of the effect your love has on me
Keep on lifting (love keeps lifting me)
Please continue to love me this way
Higher (lifting me)
Taking me to new heights
Higher and higher (higher)
Continuously taking me to new and greater heights
Listen
Pay attention to what I am saying next
Now once, I was down-hearted
I used to be depressed and unhappy
Disappointment, was my closest friend
I was surrounded by feelings of failure and frustration
But then you, came and it soon departed
But then you came into my life and those feelings disappeared
And you know he never
Those feelings of disappointment
Showed his face again
Never returned thanks to your love
I'm so glad, I've finally found you
I'm grateful that I found you and your love
Yes that one, in a million girls
You are truly special and rare
And I whip, my loving arms around you, honey
I wrap my arms around you tightly and show my love
I can stand up, and face the world
Thanks to your love, I am confident to face anything
Let me tell ya, your love (your love keeps lifting me)
I want to emphasize the effect your love has on me
Alright
Okay, I understand
Now sock it to me
Give it to me, keep loving me this way
Hold me, you're my woman
Please hold me, you are the only one for me
Keep my love going
Please continue to love me in this way
Higher and higher
Continuously take me to new heights
I said keep on lifting
Please don't stop loving me this way
Lift me up mama
Please continue to lift me up with your love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Smith, Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind