Jackson startd out as a gospel singer in The Raspberry Singers. He was in the Dell-Vikings from 1957 to 1959.
After recording as Charles Jackson for the Clock label in 1959 he signed with Wand Records in 1961. He was immediately successful with his first single I Don't Want To Cry which reached No. 5 R&B, No. 36 Pop in the USA. He was with Wand through most of the sixties, scoring several R&B and Pop hits. In 1969 he moved to Motown but didn't do so well there. He continued to record throughout the seventies for labels like ABC, All Platinum and EMI America, scoring his last R&B hit in 1980.
Although never hugely successful his soulful voice resulted in 23 R&B top 100 singles in the USA and the same number of US Pop 100 hits over the course of 20 years.
Several of Jackson's songs later became hits for other artists including Ronnie Milsap, whose 1982 cover version of "Any Day Now" reached No. 1 on the Country and Adult Contemporary charts. Michael McDonald covered "I Keep Forgettin'" with much success. "I Keep Forgettin'" was also covered by David Bowie on his album "Tonight".
On 4 October 2015, Chuck Jackson was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.
The Man in You
Chuck Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Told me right from the start
Said, listen
Said no matter how old a man is
He's partly a boy in his heart
Now you′d be surprised at the thingsYou do now that you still wanna do
But when it comes to the way
(The way you treat your woman)
When it comes to the way
You treat your woman
You can't let the boy
Overpower the man in you
Oh, let me tell you that
Every man has to
Understand that you can
Go out with the fellas
But if the boy in you
Tells you to stay late
Don't listen
Well, if you stop to think about it
The man in you is gonna say wait
Listen here (that ain′t right)
Oh, you′d be surprised at the things
That a man who loves his woman won't do
(The way you treat your woman)
When it comes to the way
You treat your woman
You can't let the boy
Overpower the man in you
One more thing now
That all you guys have to realize
That there are many pretty women
And if the boy in you looks their way
Take a good look
You know that if you
Stop to think about it
The man in you is gonna say
Come on
Oh, you′ll be surprised at the girls
Who are gonna wink an eye at you too
But when it comes to the way
(The way you treat your woman)
When it comes to the way
You treat your woman
You can't let the boy
Overpower the man in you
Oh, no, oh, no, the man in you
Oh, no, no, no
Chuck Jackson's "The Man In You" is a song about growing up and taking responsibility, specifically in regards to relationships with women. The song begins with Jackson recalling advice he received from his father, that every man has a little boy inside of him, and it's important not to let that boy take control in situations where he might make bad decisions. The song then goes on to discuss how men sometimes struggle to balance their desire to have fun with their responsibility to treat their partners with love and respect.
The chorus repeats the message that men need to take responsibility for their actions when it comes to how they treat their partners. While it might be tempting to act impulsively, the "man" part of the person needs to be in control, making thoughtful decisions that prioritize their partner's feelings and wellbeing.
Line by Line Meaning
Now don't you know my daddy told me
The singer's dad taught him something important
Told me right from the start
The father's advice was given to his son at an early age
Said, listen
The father wanted his son to pay attention to what he was saying
Said no matter how old a man is
The father's advice is applicable to all men of any age
He's partly a boy in his heart
Men still have a playful or childish side to them
Now you'd be surprised at the things
There are some things that are unexpected or surprising
You do now that you still wanna do
Despite getting older, there are still activities that a man enjoys doing
But when it comes to the way
However, there is a certain behavior that needs to change
(The way you treat your woman)
The behavior in question pertains to how a man treats his partner
You can't let the boy
The playful or childish traits in a man cannot override
Overpower the man in you
The maturity and responsibility that is also part of a man's personality
Oh let me tell you that
The singer emphasizes the importance of this message
Every man has to
This is a universal message for all males
Understand that you can
Men need to recognize that they have the power to control their actions
Go out with the fellas
Men can still enjoy socializing with their male friends
But if the boy in you
However, the childish or immature traits can still emerge
Tells you to stay late
There may be temptation to ignore responsibilities or obligations
Don't listen
Men need to resist these temptations
Well if you stop to think about it
Men need to consider the consequences of their actions
The man in you is gonna say wait
The responsible and mature part of a man will advise to wait and not give in to temptation
Listen here (that ain't right)
The singer states that the right thing to do is to be responsible and not be swayed by childish urges
Oh you'd be surprised at the things
Men may realize that there are some things they cannot bring themselves to do to their partner
That a man who loves his woman won't do
A man who truly loves and respects his partner will prioritize their feelings
(The way you treat your woman)
It is important for men to show love and respect towards their partners
You can't let the boy
Childish urges should not take priority
Overpower the man in you
Responsible and mature choices should be made instead
One more thing now
The singer has more advice to offer to men
That all you guys have to realize
All men need to understand this next message
That there are many pretty women
There are many attractive women in the world
And if the boy in you looks their way
Childish tendencies may result in a wandering eye
Take a good look
The singer suggests that men should acknowledge the beauty of others
You know that if you
Men need to recognize the potential consequences of their actions
Stop to think about it
It is important for men to assess their actions
The man in you is gonna say come on
The more mature and responsible part of a man will urge them to not give in to temptation
Oh you'll be surprised at the girls
Men may not realize how many women may show interest in them
Who are gonna wink an eye at you too
Women may show subtle signs of attraction towards men
(The way you treat your woman)
Despite this, men should always treat their partner with love and respect
You can't let the boy
Childish or immature thoughts and actions should not take priority
Overpower the man in you
Men should prioritize being responsible and mature in their actions
Oh no, oh no, the man in you
The singer ends by emphasizing that men should prioritize responsible and loving behavior towards their partner
Oh no, no, no
Repeats the previous affirmation
Writer(s): William Robinson Jr.
Contributed by Lily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnstuart6383
Chuck in fine form - A CLASSIC 60s Motown sound.