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.
I Got The Need
Chuck Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just can't face the world
I can't help feelin' kinda small.
I let you go one day
But now I ain't ashamed to say
I need you, I know that I need you
For without your love I'm just no good at all
Oh, I need you to confide in (Yes, I do)
I need you to take pride in (Yes I do)
I need your shoulder to cry on (Yes I do)
You're all I've got to rely on
And that's why I need you
Baby baby baby
take me back again
I couldn't admit to you the,
It's sad how much
I need you. I need you
I guess I lost my head
Cause I know I must have said
A lot of things to make you cry
I've made myself a lonely man
But now I've come to understand how much
I need you, I tell you I need you
And I'm gonna keep needing you till the day I die
Oh, I need you to confide in (Yes, I do)
I need you to take pride in (Yes I do)
I need your shoulder to cry on (Yes I do)
You're all I've got to rely on
And that's why I need you
Baby baby baby
I couldn't admit to you the,
It's sad how much
I need you. I need you
In "I Got The Need" by Chuck Jackson, the lyrics express a deep yearning for someone who has been lost. The singer admits to feeling small and unable to face the world since they parted ways. They acknowledge having let go of this person at some point, but now they openly admit that they need them back in their life. The absence of this person's love has left the singer feeling completely inadequate and worthless.
The singer expresses a variety of ways in which they need this person. They need them to confide in, to take pride in, and to lean on emotionally. They view this person as their main source of support and comfort, the one they can rely on. The repetition and emphasis on "Yes, I do" signals a desperate plea for the person to understand the depth of their need.
The lyrics reflect a deep regret for past actions that may have caused the person to leave. The singer acknowledges that they must have said hurtful things that made the person cry, leading to their current state of loneliness. However, now they have come to understand just how much they need the person, and they vow to keep needing them until the day they die.
The repeated refrain of "Baby baby baby, take me back again" reveals the singer's desperation to be reunited with their lost love. They couldn't admit it before, but now they openly confess the sadness and emptiness they feel without this person. The lyrics convey a plea for forgiveness and a desire for a second chance at love.
Overall, "I Got The Need" captures the intense longing and realization of the singer's need for a lost love. The lyrics showcase vulnerability, regret, and a profound yearning for a reconciliation that promises to bring happiness and wholeness back into the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Since the day I lost you, girl
Ever since the day I lost you, my life has changed
I just can't face the world
I find it difficult to confront the world without you
I can't help feelin' kinda small.
I constantly feel insignificant and inadequate
I let you go one day
I made the mistake of letting you go in the past
But now I ain't ashamed to say
However, now I have no shame in admitting
I need you, I know that I need you
I am fully aware that I absolutely need you
For without your love I'm just no good at all
Without your love, I become completely worthless
Oh, I need you to confide in (Yes, I do)
I require your trust and confidence
I need you to take pride in (Yes I do)
I need you to feel proud about our relationship
I need your shoulder to cry on (Yes I do)
I require your emotional support and comfort
You're all I've got to rely on
You are my sole source of dependence
And that's why I need you
That is the reason why I need you so desperately
Baby baby baby take me back again
My darling, please give me another chance
I couldn't admit to you the, It's sad how much I need you. I need you
I failed to confess just how deeply I rely on you. I am in desperate need of you
I guess I lost my head
I suppose I acted irrationally
Cause I know I must have said
Because I'm aware that I said
A lot of things to make you cry
Many hurtful things that brought you to tears
I've made myself a lonely man
I have condemned myself to a life of loneliness
But now I've come to understand how much
However, now I comprehend the extent to which
I need you, I tell you I need you
I'm expressing to you how much I need you
And I'm gonna keep needing you till the day I die
I will continue to require you until the end of my life
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Ryan Heath Enright, Matthew John Briscoe-Hough, Santina Maree Garufi, Kelvin Charles King, Jason Lee Norris, David Ross Simon, Daniel James Skeed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lenglab5390
Just love this record magic 🎉
@Stives1979
Absolute stormer evoke's great memories listening right now in 2025 love coming back to these golden oldies all over again never get tired of them and thanks for a excellent upload 💯👍🎵🎶✊✊✊
@pippagrindley7979
So love this tune... Wigan Casino days...fab memories 😁👍wish I could turn the clock back 😀
@danceyourselfblonde9350
This is pure class.... reminds me of dancing until the early hours of the morning
@shirleykershaw2779
First heard this aged 17, still got this single ❤️❤️❤️💋 now aged 61, still soo special memories ❤️
@capitol7950
Much n such the same, got into nsoul and niter scene at 16 37yr later still listen to nsoul most days. It never leaves u.
@anthonydaley278
Me too, I remember pushing past the blonde lady on the door at Wigan Casino then hearing it been played ? I new back then at around the same age as you that Northern Soul would stay with me Forever . Thanks to all who went to the casino for the memories and great times I had/ JUST BRILLIANT.
@Stives1979
A massive Mr Ms belter one of my personal fav's so glad you love this same here long live our kinda of music 💯🎵
@annbeswick8522
Still a brilliant track!
@johnbarrett7611
I like all the versions of this but Chuck sounds like he means it the most .