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.
If I Didn't Love You
Chuck Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do I love you
That's a silly question
Listen
If I didn't love you
Would I call every day
If I didn't love youWould I act this way
So why do you ask
Do I really love you
When it's really so clear
Even strangers can see that I do
If I didn't love you
Would I worry so
Each and every moon
When you come and you go
So just ask yourself
Would I waste my time
If I didn't love you
Would I hope and pray
You'd be mine
Oh, baby, oh, baby
Oh, oh, oh, mmmm
If I didn't love you
Would I miss you this much
Put heart and soul to rot
Just for your touch
And a fool for your charm
If I didn't love you
Would I be right here in your arms
(If I didn't love you, love you)
Baby (if I didn't love you, love you)
Sweet (if I didn't love you, love you)
In Chuck Jackson's song "If I Didn't Love You," the singer is responding to his lover's question about whether or not he truly loves her. The lyrics begin by stating that the question is silly, implying that it is obvious that he is in love with her. He then goes on to provide evidence for his love, asking "If I didn't love you, would I call every day? Would I act this way?" He continues to provide examples, asking "If I didn't love you, would I worry so each and every moon when you come and you go?" By the end of the song, he has made his case for his love clear.
Implicit in the lyrics of the song is the idea that love is shown through actions, not just words. The singer argues that his behavior towards his lover is proof of his devotion. He also implies that his love is so strong that it causes him to act irrationally, as evidenced by lines such as "Would I be a sling and a fool for your charm?"
Line by Line Meaning
You asked me
You posed a question to me
Do I love you
Whether I have affection for you or not
That's a silly question
It's a foolish inquiry
Listen
Pay attention to what I'm saying
If I didn't love you
In the case that my love for you didn't exist
Would I call every day
Would I make a daily effort to communicate with you
Would I act this way
Would I behave in this particular manner
So why do you ask
What's the reason for your question
Do I really love you
Whether my affection for you is genuine
When it's really so clear
The fact that it's plainly evident
Even strangers can see that I do
Individuals I don't even know are aware of it
Would I worry so
Would I feel anxious or uneasy
Each and every moon
Whenever the moon is in the sky
When you come and you go
During your arrivals and departures
So just ask yourself
Consider it introspectively
Would I waste my time
Would I expend my time pointlessly
Would I hope and pray
Would I have expectations and desires
You'd be mine
For you to be become my partner
If I didn't love you
In the case that my love for you didn't exist
Would I miss you this much
Would I long for you to this degree
Put heart and soul to rot
Suffer tremendously
Just for your touch
Only for physical contact with you
Would I be a sling
Would I be weak and defenseless
And a fool for your charm
And easily swayed by your attraction
Would I be right here in your arms
Would I presently be where you're holding me
(If I didn't love you, love you)
(In the case that my love for you didn't exist, repeat)
Baby (if I didn't love you, love you)
Darling (In the case that my love for you didn't exist, repeat)
Sweet (if I didn't love you, love you)
Beloved (In the case that my love for you didn't exist, repeat)
Contributed by Max R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Kennyboy1891
One of the most underappreciated vocalists of his time. What a powerful voice! I never did get to see him live, to my regret.
@johnfulton4061
You missed something I saw him several times back in the sixties usually at the Apollo you wanna talk about an entertainer Chuck always brought the house down and he really knew how to connect with an audience
@markdouglas668
Many of us songwriters of this era could only dream that Chuck would cut one of our tunes. What a voice. Real authority & gravitas!
@jeremyboyce1537
For Real !!!!!!!
@alexv6804
also by a man and woman duo highly recommend to check out Pam Sawyer
@sheilapalmer224
He was incredible
@sheilapalmer224
He was fantastic
@Rematch112
He’s one of the best along with Sam Cooke ~ Marvin Gaye and Levi Stubbs!!
Hands Down!! Make it a great day….life’s too Short to be having a BAD day!! Respect ✊
@lennysumlerjdllm4558
I Found It !....So Happy To Hear Again
@wymellwilliams9452
What a great way to serenade girl of your dreams