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 Need You
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
Chuck Jackson's song "I Need You" expresses the regrets and deep yearning for a lost love. The song starts with Jackson admitting that he still can't move on from the day he lost his girl. As the song progresses, he confesses that he needs his girl back in his life. Jackson acknowledges the mistakes he made and the things he said to make his girl cry, and how he has become a lonely man without her in his life. He acknowledges that he needs his girl to confide in, take pride in, and be the shoulder he can cry on. Jackson knows that she is the only one he can rely on and this realization brings him to the conclusion that he needs his girl back in his life.
The song is a beautiful representation of how we often realize the importance of someone in our life when it's too late. Jackson's emotions are palpable as he conveys his regret over the loss of his girl and the need for her to return to his life. The song's bittersweet lyrics are complemented by the smooth and soulful melody, which enhances the emotion in the song.
Overall, "I Need You" is a relatable song that speaks to the complexity of human emotions, particularly when it comes to love and loss. Jackson's powerful voice, combined with the poignant lyrics and melody make this song a classic hit that has withstood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Since the day I lost you, girl
Ever since I lost you, girl, I have been struggling to face the world.
I just can't face the world
I have been finding it extremely difficult to go about my day-to-day responsibilities.
I can't help feelin' kinda small.
My confidence has taken a huge hit and I am feeling quite insignificant.
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, I am no longer ashamed to admit that I need you back in my life.
I need you, I know that I need you
I am aware that I need you and your love in order to function properly.
For without your love I'm just no good at all
I am incomplete and unable to be my true self without your love.
Oh, I need you to confide in (Yes, I do)
I require someone to confide in, and that someone can only be you.
I need you to take pride in (Yes I do)
I need you to take pride in me and support me.
I need your shoulder to cry on (Yes I do)
I need your shoulder to cry on when I am feeling lost and overwhelmed.
You're all I've got to rely on
You are my only source of support and strength.
And that's why I need you
That's precisely why I need you back in my life.
Baby baby baby
I am expressing my vulnerability and deep emotions by calling you baby.
take me back again
Please take me back into your life and give me another chance.
I couldn't admit to you the,
I couldn't bring myself to confess to you before.
It's sad how much
It's heartbreaking to realize how much
I need you. I need you
I am repeating myself to emphasize the gravity of my words - I need you back in my life.
I guess I lost my head
I must have been out of my mind
Cause I know I must have said
I know I must have said something foolish or hurtful
A lot of things to make you cry
I said things that caused you a lot of pain and made you cry.
I've made myself a lonely man
My own actions have caused me to become a lonely and isolated person.
But now I've come to understand how much
But now I have realized just how much
I need you, I tell you I need you
I am telling you with all honesty that I need you and your love.
And I'm gonna keep needing you till the day I die
I will continue to need you and your support for the rest of my life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
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
@boomerang905
Burt Bacharach and Carole King wrote beautifully for him. All my life I wanted to hear more of Mr. Jackson. He was my Teddy Pendergrass of the 1960s.
@kentaylor7044
this guy puts so much power and emotion into a love song. he had a beauutiful, voice he could have gotten by by just mouthin' words but instead je just seeps into your whole being with such incredible. in an era when white audiences were enamoured with motown's soulesss soul he had no chance withmainstream radio and white audiences. but i grew up in the black section and to me chuck jackson was the king of soul
@tomgeauvreau7099
Seen a lot of great artists perform live snd I'm a senior. Chuck Jackson in my mind topped them all. You had to see him. Very underrated.
@joycecarlton6881
Great Singer
@billkazen4683
Strong vocal, Chuck! Good soul ballad...he was underrated.
@Twinkles5927
I have been looking for this song all of my life!! This guy was truly unsung!! He had and still has one of the greatest voices of all the times! I saw him a couple of years ago, he looks great to be in his 7o's but his voice was the enigma! Fantastic, true talent! Love ya forever, Chuck!!!
@boomerang905
Carol King was writing her little tail off. I used to read credits and wondered who she was when I was young. I love Chuck Jackson doing this. I saw him perform this at the Regal in the early 1960s. ❤
@robertvelez8485
This song is my all time favorite song by Chuck Jackson! I Need You was written by Carole King and Gerry Coffin and its a song that should of been a million seller! This song is so good that it can be a hit today unfortunately, there are not too many great singers around like Chuck Jackson!
@valeriegrama
Where did you live when this came out. It might have been a local hit
@Serinussamurai500
You got it love , as I need you ❤️